Early Day Motions

ROYAL HOSPITAL CEREMONY OF THE CHRISTMAS CHEESES

That this House congratulates The Dairy Council in staging the 2016 Annual Ceremony of the Christmas Cheeses, which forms the beginning of the Chelsea Pensioners' traditional Christmas celebrations; further congratulates in-pensioner, Mary Johnston, who was given the honour of cutting the cheese at

VIOLENCE AT WORK

That this House notes with concern the publication of UNISON's annual Violence at Work Survey 2016, which shows that over 40,000 violent assaults against public service workers in Scotland were recorded over the last year; further notes that for employees of Scottish local authorities alone, the num

SIGNS OF CHRISTIANITY IN THE WORKPLACE

That this House notes the report by the Equality and Human Rights Commission which highlights the overzealous approach of some employers to ensuring there is no sign of Christianity in work places, including the discrete wearing of crosses; expresses concern that this approach is tantamount to the p

EAST KILBRIDE, STRATHAVEN AND LESMAHAGOW SMALL BUSINESS AWARDS 2016

That this House congratulates Cake Stuff, Lesmahagow and NDPD Couriers, East Kilbride as winners of the East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow constituency small business awards 2016; recognises the importance of small businesses to local jobs and the local economy; and commends the endeavours of

ACCESS TO EU RESEARCH PROGRAMMES

That this House recognises the importance of maintaining the UK's world-leading research base; notes that this is vital to the UK's international reputation and to its future health, environment and economy; emphasises that science is international and depends on the freedom of all researchers to se

BONNYRIGG ROSE FC SCOTTISH CUP SUCCESS

That this House congratulates Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic Football Club, known as the Rosey Posy, on its Scottish Cup success against Dumbarton on 6 December 2016; notes that the winning goal from Adam Nelson in the 86th minute proved decisive in the 0-1 replay victory; and wishes manager Robbie Horn an

PROSECUTION OF THE SPEAKER OF THE CATALAN PARLIAMENT

That this House notes with concern the decision of Catalonia's High Court to proceed with the prosecution of the Speaker and President of the Catalan Parliament, Carme Forcadell, for allegedly violating Spanish law by allowing a parliamentary debate on altering the Spanish constitution, specifically

CHILDREN'S FUNERAL COSTS

That this House notes that approximately 5,000 infants and children pass away each year in the UK; further notes that the cost of children's funerals imposes a significant and unexpected financial burden on bereaved parents; recognises that some local authorities, as well as religious officiants and

GOLD SPORT SCOTLAND AWARDS AND ST JOHN'S BARRHEAD, BRAIDBAR, THORNLIEBANK, EAGLESHAM AND GIFFNOCK PRIMARY SCHOOLS

That this House congratulates the pupils, teachers and communities of St John's Barrhead, Braidbar, Giffnock, Eaglesham and Thornliebank Primary Schools on their outstanding achievement in being awarded Sport Scotland Gold status; recognises the huge commitment this has involved from sports committe

BARRHEAD HIGH SCHOOL DIANA AWARD AND ALANA BOWDEN AND ADAM INNES

That this House celebrates the outstanding achievements of Barrhead High School students Alana Bowden and Adam Innes, both winners of Diana Awards, for their dedication to helping others; applauds Adam for his initiative, dedication and industry in forming and running free running and gymnastics clu

VISITOR VISAS AND FAITH COMMUNITIES

That this House applauds the efforts of the Church of Scotland Glasgow Presbytery to engage in international twinning arrangements with groups including the Diocese of Hyderabad to promote and develop international and interfaith dialogue, constructive communications and mutual understanding; agrees

GIFT CARDS

That this House is concerned to learn that an estimated £300 million has been lost to customers due to gift cards expiring, according to the UK Gift Card and Voucher Association; applauds the Sunday Post for highlighting this issue; calls on all companies who sell gift cards to remove arbitrary expi

OUTCOME OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN THE GAMBIA

That this House notes the result of the presidential election in the Gambia, held on 1 December 2016, which Adama Barrow won; welcomes the remarks made by outgoing President Yahya Jammeh which acknowledge his defeat and commit to a peaceful transfer of power; further notes that Mr Barrow will become

CONNAUGHT FUND

That this House welcomes the findings of the Complaints Commissioner following complaints lodged by George Patellis and Adam Nettleship regarding the loss of over £100 million by investors in the Connaught Income Series 1 Fund; notes that Mr Patellis was Chief Executive of Tiuta PLC, a firm at the h

GAIRLOCH HERITAGE MUSEUM

That this House congratulates Gairloch Heritage Museum in receiving a Heritage Lottery Fund grant of £725,600 for its project to refurbish an existing Cold War Anti-Aircraft Operations Room that sits on a three-quarters of an acre site close to the current museum location which has latterly been use

LEASEHOLD PROPERTY OWNERS AND GROUND RENT CHARGES

That this House notes with concern recent incidences of unscrupulous property builders selling leasehold homes to buyers who are then charged extortionate increases to their ground rent charges; notes that this then traps homebuyers in unsellable properties where they are forced to pay large sums to

HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN YEMEN

That this House expresses its concern that the humanitarian crisis in Yemen is worsening; notes the Oxfam report which states that Yemen is a few months away from running out of food, which builds on the UN report stating that around half the population are food insecure; is alarmed that the ports s

NEW COLLEGE, LANARKSHIRE

That this House congratulates New College Lanarkshire on winning 12 awards at the national skills competition, WorldSkills UK 2016, including four gold, two silver, and four bronze medals, and two highly commended awards across eight different skills resulting in the college winning the 'Best in UK'

HUMAN RIGHTS DAY 2016 (No. 2)

That this House acknowledges that Human Rights Day, on 10 December 2016, provides a timely reminder of how important it is that all those who defend human rights around the world are safe from attack, that all people have the freedom of thought, conscience and religion and can claim their right to s

ALCOHOL STRATEGY

That this House acknowledges Public Health England's comprehensive evidence review of the burden of alcohol-related harm and effectiveness of policy solutions; notes that among those aged 15 to 49 in England, alcohol is now the leading risk factor for ill health, early death and disability; further

ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF STORM DESMOND

That this House recognises that the flooding caused by Storm Desmond in December 2015 was the most extreme on record in the UK; stands in solidarity with the hundreds of people who are still out of their homes and businesses one year on from the storms; notes that hundreds of farmers are still waiti

TITANIC BELFAST

That this House congratulates Titanic Belfast on being named the world's leading tourist attraction by World Travel Awards only months after being crowned Europe's leading visitor attraction; notes that this is the first time an attraction from the island of Ireland has won the esteemed honour; ackn

DEATH OF POLITICAL PRISONERS IN IRAN

That this House is alarmed by evidence which shows that a mass murder of political prisoners took place in Iran in or about the summer of 1988 and that those killed are buried in mass graves at Khavaran Cemetery and other locations in Iran; and believes the illegal killing of those citizens represen

90th ANNIVERSARY OF THE FORMATION OF ICI

That this House commemorates 7 December 1926 as the day on which Imperial Chemical Industries Ltd (ICI) was founded; recognises the significant contribution that ICI made to UK society and recalls a time when ICI was regarded as the UK's industrial crown jewels; further recognises its focus on scien

HUMAN RIGHTS DAY 2016

That this House notes that the world celebrates Human Rights Day 2016 on 10 December; further notes that this is a day to commemorate the UN General Assembly adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948; highlights that human rights are abused by repressive regimes across the world