Early Day Motions

NORTHERN IRELAND'S FOSTER CARERS OF THE YEAR

That this House congratulates Glen and Regina Mahon of Ballykinler, County Down, on being named Northern Ireland's Foster Carers of the Year; recognises the tremendous work that Glen and Regina have done helping children overcome difficult circumstances, including illness; and praises the work done

PENSIONS CONTRIBUTIONS IN NORTHERN IRELAND

That this House recognises that people working in Northern Ireland at ages 14 and 15 between 1947 and 1957 paid National Insurance contributions, but that these do not count towards their pension, which is calculated by taking into account contributions made from age 16 only; acknowledges that this

SWADDLE LANARKSHIRE

That this House congratulates Swaddle Lanarkshire on securing £7,200 of funding through the Big Lottery Communities and Family Fund; commends its efforts in setting up a pre-loved baby and children's shop in Hamilton town centre; recognises the initiative of the charity to create a parenting space w

BRAEHEAD UNDER FIVES

That this House congratulates Braehead Under Fives on securing £4,297 of funding through the Big Lottery Communities and Family Fund; notes that the toddler group will use this funding to deliver a Getting It Right For Every Child (GIRFEC) themed road show to educate the local community and boost th

AVONDALE GYMNASTICS CLUB GOLD MEDALLISTS

That this House congratulates Connor Donnelly and Amy Dunlop of the Avondale Gymnastics Club in Larkhall on their gold medal win at the British Gymnastics Championships 2016; commends 18 year old Connor and 14 year old Amy from Stonehouse on their high-scoring balance floor routine in the Grade 6 Mi

UDDINGSTON PRE-SCHOOL PLAYGROUP

That this House congratulates Uddingston Pre-School Playgroup on securing £4,832 of funding from the Big Lottery Communities and Family Fund; notes that the group will use this funding to provide children with activities and for wider promotion of their service; commends the work done by the playgro

E-CIGARETTES

That this House notes that the number of people using stop smoking services has decreased by over 50 per cent in the last five years due to the emergence of e-cigarettes and other tobacco alternatives; further notes that a market-based solution is the chief reason for this decline rather than the ta

BRAIN FAMILY

That this House calls on the Government to honour the principle of the post work study visa to the Brain family, currently living in Dingwall, as was applicable when the family up-rooted themselves from Australia to come to Scotland in 2011 and to recognise the contribution and commitment the family

PENSION TRANSPARENCY

That this House notes recently reported comments by the Chief Economist at the Bank of England that, while he considers himself to be moderately financially literate, he confessed to not being able to make the remotest sense of pensions; expresses alarm that a senior Bank of England economist is rep

CLUSTER MUNITIONS USE

That this House notes with grave concern that, according to Amnesty International, fragments of UK-manufactured cluster munitions have been uncovered in Yemen; denounces the use of cluster munitions due to their indiscriminate and disproportionate nature; believes that any indiscriminate use of clus

50TH ANNIVERSARY OF BRITISH INDIAN OCEAN TERRITORY

That this House observes that 8 November 2015 was the 50th anniversary of the creation of the British Indian Ocean Territory, the purpose of which was to build a US base on Diego Garcia; notes that an agreement between the UK and the US of 30 December 1966 made provision for the Territory to be set

LIFTING OF IMMUNITY OF TURKISH PARLIAMENTARIANS

That this House expresses its grave concern at the decision by the Turkish Parliament to approve a bill removing parliamentary immunity from prosecution from elected representatives; is worried that the passing of the Bill, now subject to ratification by President Erdogan, may establish a monopoly o

EGYPT AIR FLIGHT MS804

That this House notes with sadness the loss of Egypt Air flight MS804 travelling from Paris to Cairo; sends its thoughts, prayers and sympathies at this time of grief to the families of the 66 passengers who lost their lives; and calls on the Government to give every assistance in finding the reason

75TH ANNIVERSARY OF PROGRESSIO - PEOPLE POWERED DEVELOPMENT

That this House congratulates the international development and human rights charity Progressio on its 75th anniversary; recognises its expertise in supporting some of the world's poorest and most marginalised people, especially women, to challenge unfair power structures and empower themselves; not

VALPROATE TOOLKIT

That this House notes with concern that the medicine valproate, which is used for the treatment of epilepsy and bipolar disorder, can seriously harm an unborn child when taken during pregnancy, including increased risk of malformations and developmental disorders; welcomes the development of a valpr

CHILDREN HEARTBEAT TRUST

That this House supports the Children Heartbeat Trust; commends it for the 127 families it has helped to travel to England for lifesaving surgery and for the assistance it also gives to the wider family circle; and wishes it every success in helping more children in the future.

INTERNATIONAL AWARENESS DAY FOR CROHNS AND COLITIS

That this House recognises International Awareness Day for Crohn's and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD); calls for further IBD nurses to be made available; and thanks all professional staff and carers who help those suffering from Crohn's and colitis.

APPOINTMENT OF DEPUTIES FOR BENEFITS RECIPIENTS

That this House notes that Patients of the Court of Protection, people who lack capacity to manage their affairs, can have a Deputy appointed who can manage their affairs, including the ability to make speedy decisions on authorising payment for adaptations to the home and many other day-to-day expe

VICTIMS OF IRA LIBYAN SEMTEX

That this House believes that it is the first duty of government to protect and promote the interest and well-being of its citizens, and therefore records its dismay at the failure of successive UK administrations to protect and promote the interests of the innocent victims of IRA/Libyan Semtex, the

RIGHT OF ABODE FOR FORMER BRITISH-HONG KONG SERVICEMEN

That this House recognises the enormous contribution to Britain of the former Hong Kong armed forces from 1857 until 1997; believes that those remaining soldiers of the Hong Kong Military Service Corps and the Hong Kong Royal Naval Service who did not receive a UK passport following the handover of

FOSTER CARERS AND THE PUBLIC INTEREST DISCLOSURE ACT

That this House notes that the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 (PIDA) does not cover foster carers; further notes that such carers are therefore in a vulnerable position if they choose to speak out about alleged wrongdoing or poor practice; expresses concern that this may act as a disincentive t

CHILDREN'S HOSPICE WEEK 23 TO 29 MAY 2016

That this House welcomes and supports the advent of Children's Hospice Week, the UK's awareness and fundraising week for the 49,000 children and young people with life-shortening conditions, their families and the palliative care services that support them; recognises the huge contribution that hosp

ST HELENS RFC AND ST HELENS AUTISM SUPPORT AWARENESS CAMPAIGN

That this House congratulates St Helens RFC and St Helens Autism Support on their innovative campaign to raise awareness of autism; recognises that St Helens RFC wore a special kit at rugby league's Magic Weekend as part of this campaign; notes that the shirt will be seen by millions of people acros

HIBERNIAN FOOTBALL CLUB'S SCOTTISH CUP WIN

That this House congratulates the players, coaches, staff and supporters of Hibernian Football Club in winning the Scottish Cup; celebrates the joy that such a win generated in Leith and further afield, especially given the 114 year wait that Hibernian fans have had since the club last lifted the tr

HIBERNIAN FOOTBALL CLUB AND THE SCOTTISH CUP

That this House congratulates Hibernian Football Club on winning the Scottish Cup, the oldest cup competition in world football; notes that Hibernian has at long last achieved Scottish Cup success having not won the cup since 1902; further notes that the club has competed in and lost 10 Scottish Cup