Early Day Motions

Use of weapons during protests in Hong Kong and the UK Government's response

That this House is profoundly concerned that tear gas, pepper spray, rubber bullets and baton rounds have been used against even peaceful protestors in Hong Kong; notes that some of these items are included in the UK Strategic Export Control List; is concerned by the sale and export of such equipmen

Effect of the covid-19 outbreak on children's mental health

That this House notes that the mental health consequences of the covid-19 pandemic are immense and will be long-lasting; asserts that existing demand for mental health services is set to increase and agrees with The Royal College of Psychiatrists and the British Medical Association that mental healt

Pig genomes decoded

That this House welcomes news that Midlothian-based scientists have decoded the whole genetic make-up of pigs in a development that will facilitate the discovery of genetic variations linked to key traits; recognises that the study was led by scientists at the Roslin Institute and the US Department

Goalball UK Overall Player of the Year

That this House congratulates Midlothian-based school student Samantha Gough on being named Goalball UK Overall Player of the Year for 2019-20; notes that Samantha has only been playing Goalball for a year; understands that Goalball is a team sport designed specifically for athletes with a vision im

Scotland’s response to the Coronavirus pandemic

That this House notes the widely acknowledged and continuing success of the Scottish Government’s public health measures in driving down coronavirus related infection and mortality rates; recognises the continuing need for responsible observation of behaviours that limit the spread of the virus and

Conduct of the Prime Minister

That this House notes the disparaging and derisory comments made by the Prime Minister during Prime Minister’s Questions on 1 July 2020 in relation to Scotland’s coronavirus public health planning; rejects the Prime Minister’s inaccurate description of the Scottish Government as an administration; f

Enforcement

That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, praying that the Taking Control of Goods and Certification of Enforcement Agents (Amendment) (No. 2) (Coronavirus) Regulations 2020 (S.I., 2020, No. 614), dated 19 June 2020, a copy of which was laid before this House on 19 June 2020, be annulled.

All-in deposit return scheme

That this House notes that drinks containers including plastic and glass bottles, aluminium cans, cartons, pouches and coffee cups are a blight on Britain’s beaches, and that a 2019 Marine Conservation Society survey recorded more than 500 litter items per 100 meters of coastline; recognises that co

Assessing the feasibility of citizens’ basic income pilots in Scotland

That this House notes the recent publication of the report entitled Assessing the Feasibility of Citizens’ Basic Income Pilots in Scotland which presents comprehensive and detailed research into the feasibility of a citizens’ basic income pilot in Scotland; further notes that it has been developed b

Leicester Lockdown due to covid-19

That this House welcomes the lockdown extension in Leicester and parts of the county of Leicestershire to protect lives from coronavirus; stands in solidarity with the people of Leicester whose lives face further disruption while lockdown is relaxed in the rest of the country; understands the additi

Co-operative sector and economic recovery

That this House notes that the UK co-operative movement has grown to a combined annual turnover of £38 billion owned by over 14 million members and 241,714 employees; further notes that co-operatives in the UK operate across a wide range of sectors, all guided by the values and principles of co-oper

National Museum of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic History and Culture

That this House recognises the important role played by the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington DC since it opened its doors to the public on 24 September 2016, documenting and enabling the study of the life, history and culture of African Americans; not

Merger of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department for International Development

That this House notes the vital contribution the Department for International Development (DfID) has made to eradicating global poverty, combatting the climate crisis and addressing gender inequality; expresses concern at the proposed merger of DfID with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the w

Royal Society of Biology's Parliamentary Links Day

That this House congratulates The Royal Society of Biology on organizing the first ever online Parliamentary Links Day on Tuesday 14 July 2020 on behalf of the science and engineering community; applauds the theme of Public Trust in Science at a time when science is crucial to the future of the UK a

Abolishing the Department for Work and Pensions' six month rule

That this House recognises that it has been one year since the all-party Parliamentary group on Terminal Illness published its report on the legal definition of terminal illness; condemns the rules of the Department for Work and Pensions which mean that benefits are only fast-tracked if a terminally

20th anniversary of racing legend Joey Dunlop’s death

That this House notes the 20th anniversary of the death of racing legend Joey Dunlop on 2 of July 2000 in Tallinn, Estonia, while leading a 125cc race, having already won the 750cc and 600cc events, on the Pirita-Kose-Kloostrimetsa Circuit; remembers with great fondness this working class hero whose

25th anniversary of the passing of Gordon Wilson

That this House commemorates the 25th anniversary of the passing of Gordon Wilson who was a tremendous advocate for peace during the Troubles; notes that he won the BBC Today programme's man of the year due to his determination to see good brought out of evil and to forgive those who had murdered hi

Professor Philip Taylor’s report on the effect of covid-19 on call-centre workers

That this House acknowledges the publication of a report into the effect of covid-19 on call-centre workers by Philip Taylor, Professor of Work and Employment Studies, at the University of Strathclyde; recognises that the report raises concerns about unsafe working environments at many call centres

Intelligence and Security Committee Report on alleged Russian interference in UK Democracy

That this House calls on the Government to urgently reinstate the Intelligence and Security Committee so that it can publish the delayed report on alleged Russian Interference in UK democracy; notes that this is the longest period following an election that the Intelligence and Security Committee ha

Reinstatement of benefit sanctions

That this House believes that the decision to reinstate benefit sanctions in the middle of a health and economic crisis is a profoundly callous step; further believes that this is an ideologically driven, punitive measure which simply adds to the stress and anxiety for people who are already facing

Pipers tribute to heroes of WWII

That this House recognises the ceremonies that took place across Scotland and and in other countries on 12 June 2020 to honour the Scottish soldiers of the battle of Valéry-en-Caux 80 years on; notes that the battle took place in June 1940 when 10,000 mostly Scottish Soldiers were captured after be

East Lothian teachers and personal protection equipment for key workers

That the House recognises the assiduous efforts of Craft, Design and Technology teachers across East Lothian working together to create thousands of pieces of personal protection equipment in the form of visors, scrubs and masks; notes the initiative on behalf of teachers come from Haddington Knox A

Midlothian young people's online concert

That this House congratulates all those involved in Midlothian’s first ever online concert event last week; understands that the concert was edited and screened live on the Midlothian Council Facebook page, as well as being made available on YouTube and broadcast simultaneously on Black Diamond FM;

Asda Straiton food donations

That this House commends Asda Straiton for its work in donating 2,878 meals to local good causes supporting people during the ongoing covid-19 outbreak; understands that through Asda’s partnership with FareShare, Asda stores across the UK have been donating food directly to charities and community g

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

That this House notes that as at 21 June 2020, 1.1 Million employers and 9.2 Million Jobs were being supported through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme at a cost of £22.9 Billion; notes with grave concern the effect on whole swathes of the economy of the scheduled cessation of the scheme on 31st