Early Day Motions

STRATHESK PRIMARY BIG AWARD

That this House congratulates Strathesk Primary School in Penicuik, Midlothian, on becoming the first school in Scotland to be awarded a BIG Award in recognition of its efforts to tackle bullying; commends the work of Strathesk primary staff, pupils and parents in cooperating to ensure that this was

THE BIG SOCIETY

That this House calls for an investigation into the financial consequences of the Big Society project that resulted in funding shortfalls suffered by efficient, deserving charities because of the use of a new fund operated through the Cabinet Office under the direction of the Prime Minister to favou

JOB LOSSES IN LOCAL NEWSPAPERS

That this House is concerned by the announcement that Johnston Press, which publishes titles including the Yorkshire Post, Yorkshire Evening Post, Lancashire Evening Post, The Scotsman and Derry Journal, is to cull almost 100 editorial posts; notes that this announcement comes just days after Newsqu

PASSING OF EXPLORER HENRY WORSLEY MBE

That this House notes the passing of explorer Henry Worsley as he undertook, unaided, one of the most arduous, difficult and testing journeys imaginable of an incredible 900 miles across the Antarctic in temperatures of -40c in aid of the worthwhile cause, the Endeavour Fund, which helps wounded ser

HINKLEY POINT C (No. 2)

That this House believes that the new delay on the plan for Hinkley Point C proves that the unaffordable, technologically-failed project is doomed; recognises that immediate cancellation would avoid the massive waste of multi-billions in cost over-runs and years of delays suffered by all other EPR p

COUNCILS AND ETHICAL INVESTMENT

That this House notes with great concern that the Government is planning to amend the Local Government Pension Scheme Regulations 2009 to prevent local government from choosing not to invest funds in companies involved in the arms trade, illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank, tobacco industr

LGBT HISTORY MONTH

That this House recognises February as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) History Month 2016, held in commemoration of the 13th anniversary of the abolition of Section 28; affirms this month-long observance of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans history, as well as the histories of gay right

LANARKSHIRE EPILEPSY SUPPORT GROUP

That this House congratulates the Lanarkshire Epilepsy Support Group on securing £9,887 support from the Communities and Family Fund; welcomes its pledge to use this funding for a peer support project for families with children under age eight who have epilepsy; supports the Communities and Families

CIVIL SERVICE GENDER PAY GAP

That this House welcomes the latest figures from Ernst and Young accountants showing that the gender pay-gap within the Scottish Government's top civil servant jobs is only 0.6 per cent; welcomes these figures as the latest indicator that the Scottish Government is taking serious action to reduce th

CERVICAL CANCER PREVENTION WEEK 2016

That this House notes that 24 to 30 January 2016 is Cervical Cancer Prevention Week, which is aimed at raising awareness of the causes and symptoms of cervical cancer and the importance of cervical screening; further notes that cervical cancer screening has continued to see a decline in uptake rates

SPEAK UP FOR LIBRARIES CAMPAIGN

That this House recognises that public libraries are hugely important to our communities; acknowledges that many have already closed or are under threat; welcomes the Speak Up For Library lobby of Parliament in support of the public library service on 9 February 2016; and calls on the Government to

INTERFERENCE BY FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS IN THE EU REFERENDUM

That this House recognises the strength of feeling on many sides that will be expressed in the upcoming referendum on EU membership; asserts that the decision is one for the people of the UK, not for foreign governments; deprecates outside interference in our national debate; condemns fearmongering

JAMES WATT AND THE CONDENSING STEAM ENGINE

after 'James Watt;' insert ' notes that James Watt is said to have conceived of the idea of the separate steam condenser while walking on Glasgow Green;'.

PARLIAMENTARY STANDARDS OF CONDUCT: CONDUCT OF LORD BLENCATHRA AND OTHERS

That this House believes that the standards of supervision of conduct in Parliament are deteriorating; notes the permissive decisions on cases involving Malcolm Rifkind, Jack Straw, Tim Yeo and Lord Blencathra; welcomes condemnation of the conduct of the three former MPs by independent bodies outsid

GLOBAL FUND TO FIGHT AIDS, TUBERCULOSIS AND MALARIA

That this House welcomes the contribution that the Global Fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria has made to tackling these three epidemics since its creation in 2002; notes that investments from the Fund have saved 17 million lives to date, and led to a one-third decline in deaths from the th

GENOCIDE IN SYRIA AND IRAQ

That this House is appalled by the beheadings, crucifixions, shootings, burnings, other murders, torture, rape and extensive violence being perpetrated by Daesh or IS against Christians and other minorities in Syria and Iraq on the basis of religion and ethnicity; observes that this disgusting behav

ROYAL MAIL DELIVERY OFFICE CLOSURES

That this House notes the potential closure of the Royal Mail delivery office in Ossett, Wakefield; further notes that this may affect in excess of 11,000 properties; notes the impact that this will have on customers who rely on this facility to receive their goods, especially those with disabilitie

MOVEMBER CAMPAIGN: THE BIG SHAVE-OFF 2

That this House recalls with pleasure the fundraising efforts of one of the House of Commons doorkeepers, Paul Kehoe, who raised £1,400 during last year's Movember campaign by growing a luxuriant full-set beard and then having it shaved off; thanks all those who donated and helped Paul to be able to

FIRE AT MZUZU UNIVERSITY, MALAWI

That this House notes with regret news of a fire at Mzuzu University in northern Malawi, in late December, which destroyed the university library and its stock of at least 45,000 books; further notes that the University was established in 1997 as Malawi's second national public university, and has a

UN AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN NORTH KOREA

That this House notes the statement of the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on 22 January 2016; welcomes his call for the international community to further all efforts to improve the human rights situation in the country; con

ROBERT BURNS HUMANITARIAN AWARD 2016

That this House recognises the strong egalitarian principles of the great Scottish poet, Robert Burns, on the 257th anniversary of his birth; congratulates Médecins Sans Frontières trauma surgeon Mr David Nott, who put his life in danger while working in war zones across the world and has received t

AUSTRALIA DAY 2016

That this House notes that 26 January marks Australia's national day, commemorating the anniversary of the day on which Captain Arthur Philip in 1788 unfurled the union flag at Sydney Cove; recognises the strong historical bonds reinforced through the military, sport, the media and the arts, and the

NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION DRIVE

That this House notes that the National Voter Registration Drive (NVRD) is taking place over 1 to 7 February 2016; further notes that Mr Speaker, with the agreement of the House, allowed a projection of a ballot box onto Elizabeth Tower with the aim of encouraging citizens to register as part of NVR

INVESTITURE OF THE CHANCELLOR BARONESS LAWRENCE OF CLARENDON OBE

That this House congratulates Baroness Lawrence of Claredon OBE on her investiture as the Chancellor of de Montfort University; notes the Baroness' work to influence and empower young people to engage in politics; and wishes Baroness Lawrence the best of luck in her role as Chancellor.

RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION OF AHMADI MUSLIMS IN INDONESIA

That this House notes with concern reports that the Indonesian province Bangka-Belitung has banned Ahmadi Muslims from conducting religious activities; further notes that, according to local Indonesian media, over the last few years those who follow the Ahmadiyya faith have often faced intimidation,