Contents

Published: Tuesday 1 March 2022

Early Day Motions tabled on Monday 28 February 2022

Early Day Motions (EDMs) are motions for which no days have been fixed.

The number of signatories includes all members who have added their names in support of the Early Day Motion (EDM), including the Member in charge of the Motion.

EDMs and added names are also published on the EDM database at www.parliament.uk/edm

[R] Indicates that a relevant interest has been declared.

New EDMs

1011Sir Alex Ferguson statue at Pittodrie Football Stadium

Tabled: 28/02/22 Signatories: 1

Kirsty Blackman

That this House congratulates Sir Alex Ferguson, Aberdeen Football Club’s most successful manager of all-time, on the unveiling of a statue in his honour at Pittodrie Football Stadium; celebrates the monumental success he brought to Aberdeen FC, including winning the European Cup Winners Cup in 1983; and recognises the enormous positive contribution and influence Sir Alex has had on Aberdeen and Scottish football during his trophy-laden career.

1012Implementation of the Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review recommendations

Tabled: 28/02/22 Signatories: 5

Cat Smith

Christian Wakeford

Ben Lake

David Linden

Yasmin Qureshi

That this House notes the sodium valproate can cause serious problems in a developing baby; that 10 per cent of babies whose mothers take sodium valproate during pregnancy are at risk of having a birth defect, and up to 40 per cent have problems with development and learning as they grow; welcomes the July 2020 Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review; and calls on the Government to implement its recommendations in full, including paying compensation to people disabled by Sodium Valproate.

1013World Seagrass Day

Tabled: 28/02/22 Signatories: 1

Douglas Chapman

That this House celebrates World Seagrass Day and recognises the important role of seagrass restoration as a nature-based solution to the climate and biodiversity crisis; further recognises the vital role of seagrass meadows as marine powerhouses in terms of increasing biodiversity, as a blue carbon store, as a way of enhancing coastal defences and a habitat for a huge variety of life in our shallow, sheltered waters; understands the great threat to these habitats, with an estimated loss of the size of two football pitches an hour across the globe; and calls for the UK Government to support these important marine habitats and celebrate some of the incredible community-led projects around Scotland such as Restoration Forth in the Dunfermline and West Fife constituency, which aims to restore and sustainably manage seagrass habitats in the Firth of Forth.

1014Pre-legislative scrutiny and delay for the Government's proposed conversion therapy legislation

Tabled: 28/02/22 Signatories: 1

Sir Robert Syms

That this House notes Government plans to legislate to ban conversion therapy; further notes that any legislation will cover sexual orientation and gender identity but that no definition of conversion therapy has been agreed and that there is already primary legislation which prohibits coercive conversion practices; is concerned that rushed or badly drafted legislation could criminalise private consensual conversations regarding sexual orientation and gender identity, the work of faith communities and counsellors, providers of children's services and others and prevent open and explorative discussions on sexual identity and gender; notes a lack of clarity on what gender identity is and the risk of criminal sanction for people seeking to use legitimate therapies to help children and young people with gender dysphoria as an alternative to pharmaceutical and surgical interventions; further notes that the EHRC highlighted that the proposals demonstrate a lack of clear definitions, have wide ranging implications and potential unintended consequences for new legislation, fail to recognise complexities including new gender dysphoria research, and the need to wait for the findings of the Cass Review of gender identity services for children and young people, due in the summer; notes that there is a lack of evidence to show that new legislation is needed and the possibility that such legislation will breach Articles 8 and 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights; and urges the Government to delay any new legislation until at least publication of the Cass Report and to commit to pre-legislative scrutiny of any new Bill.

1015Ovarian Cancer Month 2022

Tabled: 28/02/22 Signatories: 1

Jim Shannon

That this House notes Ovarian Cancer Month in March; highlights the campaign by Target Ovarian Cancer to highlight the major symptoms of Ovarian Cancer acknowledging that four in 10 women wrongly believe their cervical screening also detects Ovarian Cancer and that knowing the symptoms is a key for early detection; thanks all of those who, in recognition of the 11 women per day who die in the UK from Ovarian Cancer, have pledged to walk 11,000 miles each day in March to raise money for the charity; and calls upon the Government to train more GPs in symptom spotting for Ovarian Cancer as well as to shorten the diagnostic pathway by carrying out CA125 blood test along with ultrasounds as standard practice.

1016Parade to honour UDR soldiers Cummings and Starrett

Tabled: 28/02/22 Signatories: 1

Jim Shannon

That this House notes the annual parade and the service of remembrance for UDR soldiers Frederick Starrett and James Cummings, who were only 22 years of age at the time of their murder on the 24th February 1988, passed peacefully in Belfast; further notes the massive amount people who turned out to remember and who did so in a dignified manner; and underlines to the families of these young men that grieve them still, that their sacrifice is not forgotten and is honoured to this day, and further that the sacrifice of these men and too many others like them is something to be taught to younger generations, and remembered and respected.

Added Names

Below are EDMs tabled in the last two weeks to which names have been added. Only the first 6 names and any new names are included.

981Heriot-Watt University support to improve the lives of stoma bag wearers

Tabled: 21/02/22 Signatories: 15

Joanna Cherry

Martyn Day

Dr Philippa Whitford

Allan Dorans

Alan Brown

Douglas Chapman

That this House welcomes the invaluable support of the Medical Device Manufacturing Centre (MDMC) led by Heriot-Watt University in enabling start-up company Confidence Plus Ltd to introduce its new product ConfiPlus to a clinical setting as quickly as possible; notes that ConfiPlus has been developed to address the common problem of stoma bag leakage which leads to significant embarrassment and anxiety for stoma bag wearers; understands that one in every 400 people in the UK undergoing a surgical procedure has a stoma bag to create an opening in the body to discharge waste and that this new invention is specifically designed to contain leakages which helps to restore confidence and independence to all stoma bag wearers; notes that ConfiPlus is the first company in Scotland to use the new tool, developed by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) to prepare a healthcare technology assessment document; further understands that the MDMC at Heriot-Watt offers free support to SMEs, as a way of supporting healthcare innovation in Scotland and beyond; and hopes that ConfiPlus will help transform the lives of millions of ostomate patients throughout the world.

982West Park United FC’s Boot Room Appeal in partnership with The Brunswick Centre

Tabled: 21/02/22 Signatories: 8

Amy Callaghan

Allan Dorans

Margaret Ferrier

Jim Shannon

Chris Law

Marion Fellows

That this House congratulates West Park United FC’s efforts to give back to the community via their 2021 Boot Room Appeal, in partnership with The Brunswick Centre; understands that West Park United FC put an appeal out for used football boots which would be recycled free of charge to anyone who needed them before the festive period; acknowledges how important it is that people of all ages have access to equipment they need to engage in sport; notes the success that West Park United FC’s Boot Room appeal has had in getting more young people into sport; further notes this appeal is one of many positive local community projects the club has engaged in to give back to those in need; looks forward to seeing what more the club will achieve for people across East Dunbartonshire in the future; and thanks them for all their efforts to support families and young people.

984Vivien Currie MBE appointed as Chief Executive of Ascot Racecourse

Tabled: 21/02/22 Signatories: 7

Angela Crawley

Allan Dorans

Jim Shannon

Chris Law

Marion Fellows

Patrick Grady

That this House congratulates Vivien Currie on her appointment as the first ever female Chief Executive of Ascot Racecourse; understands Vivien will leave her current role as Chief Executive of Hamilton Park Racecourse in April 2022, becoming Chief Executive designate at Ascot in the lead up to the delivery of Royal Ascot in the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Year, before taking over as Chief Executive on 30 June 2022; acknowledges that Vivien’s role as Chief Executive at Hamilton Park since 2008 has included construction of a £10 million on-site hotel, growing the racecourse into an all-year-round hospitality and racing resort destination; commends Vivien on her exceptional leadership, especially during the coronavirus pandemic which brought difficult challenges to the horse racing and hospitality sectors; recognises that Vivien was also non-executive director of the Racecourse Association from 2010-2016 and Director of the British Horseracing Authority from 2016-2019; notes that Vivien received a MBE in 2020 for services to racecourse management, business, and charity; applauds Vivien as an inspiring business leader, particularly in sectors traditionally dominated by men, including football, where she was Chief Executive of Livingston Football Club; and wishes Vivien well in her new prestigious role at Ascot.

985Accessibility improvements by the Save Wemyss Ancient Caves Society

Tabled: 21/02/22 Signatories: 9

Peter Grant

Allan Dorans

Margaret Ferrier

Jim Shannon

Chris Law

Marion Fellows

That this House recognises and commends the efforts of volunteers of the Save Wemyss Ancient Caves Society (SWACS) for their work in making the Wemyss Caves more accessible to those who are less mobile; highlights the funding secured from Scottish charity Paths for All, that made this important work possible; recognises the national historical significance of the site where carvings on the walls of some of the caves are thought to date back to the Bronze Age, with many others being connected to the Pictish Period; notes that the new all-weather pathway has been laid to Court Cave which had previously been out of bounds to mobility scooter and wheelchair users but has now opened up access; thanks volunteers for their additional work in removing graffiti, erecting information signs and for their ongoing programme of improvements intended to further widen access and to help people to learn about the historically significant site; thanks the volunteers of SWACS for all of their efforts in improving accessibility to the Wemyss Caves; and wishes them all the best for the opening of the new path on 27 February 2022.

986Inverurie Junior Agricultural Club's 90th anniversary

Tabled: 21/02/22 Signatories: 14

Richard Thomson

Allan Dorans

Alan Brown

Dave Doogan

Carol Monaghan

Kirsty Blackman

That this House notes Inverurie Junior Agricultural Club will mark the 90th anniversary of its formation this year; recognises the prominent part the club has played in the Scottish Association of Young Farmers’ Clubs; understands that hundreds of people involved in farming have been part of the club over its nine decades of existence; further recognises that Junior Agricultural Clubs and Young Farmers Clubs provide a valuable social network full of opportunities to meet new people, share new experiences and develop personal skills; commends those involved in Inverurie Junior Agricultural Club for helping it reach this significant milestone; and wishes the club and its members continued success in the years ahead.

991Team GB Women’s Curling Team winning Olympic Gold

Tabled: 21/02/22 Signatories: 17

Dave Doogan

Allan Dorans

Jonathan Edwards

Mohammad Yasin

Anne McLaughlin

Amy Callaghan

That this House recognises the outstanding achievement of Team GB Women’s Curling Team on bringing home Gold at the Winter Olympics 2022 in Beijing; congratulates all five Scottish athletes, Hailey Duff, Vicky Wright, Eve Muirhead, Jen Dodds and Mili Smith for their impressive win over the 2018 Bronze medallists Japan; notes the intense pride felt in Scotland, in Dumfries, Edinburgh and especially so in Tayside, over this win; further recognises the extraordinary professionalism of the team under intense pressure, winning 10-3 in an extremely tense final; commends the years of dedicated training and competition which contributed to this Olympic success; and further congratulates all of Team GB on their achievements ahead of and during the Winter Olympics 2022.

993Universities' staff pensions

Tabled: 21/02/22 Signatories: 26

Geraint Davies

Hilary Benn

Beth Winter

Ian Byrne

Ian Mearns

Andy McDonald

That this House notes that the University and College Union (UCU) and members are in industrial dispute over a prospective cut in pension entitlement for lecturers of 35 per cent; further notes that the University Superannuation Scheme (USS) was last valued during the 2020 pandemic and needs re-evaluation to account for its recovery; notes that the UCU has proposed an interim settlement pending re-evaluation that would entail staff paying an additional 1.4 per cent, and universities 2.6 per cent into the USS; notes that the employers’ organisation is consulting on this proposal; recognises that industrial action is already estimated as costing £5 billion; and calls upon the Government to provide funding for the less wealthy universities that cannot afford these increases in order that the dispute may be resolved through negotiation and that university pensions become fair and sustainable.

994Venue for 2022 Champions League Final

Tabled: 22/02/22 Signatories: 25

Mr Clive Betts

Patricia Gibson

Jim Shannon

Stewart Malcolm McDonald

Valerie Vaz

Mr Barry Sheerman

That this House calls for UEFA to move the Champions League final scheduled to take place on Saturday 28 May 2022 from St Petersburg in Russia to a new venue outside of Russia as a result of Russian hostility to Ukraine.

995Jamal Edwards MBE

Tabled: 22/02/22 Signatories: 35

Dr Rupa Huq

Claudia Webbe

Jim Shannon

Margaret Ferrier

Valerie Vaz

Mr Virendra Sharma

That this House remembers the life and achievements of Jamal Edwards MBE, a musical pioneer, entrepreneur, author and philanthropist born in Luton, raised in Acton, who never forgot his roots; recognises that Jamal’s work had a tremendous impact on music in the UK, notably launching SBTV, a ground-breaking platform that was credited with helping to launch the careers of many of the UK's foremost recording artists and was noteworthy in its democratisation of music production, distribution and exchange; further notes that Jamal had a deeply held passion for wanting to better the lives of young people, starting JE Delve, the grassroots youth charity to give young people the opportunities to develop skills to help them embrace their passions and giving his time to a plethora of voluntary causes; notes that Jamal was instrumental in bringing to light many hitherto taboo issues in the attempt to improve situations, such as mental health among young black men; and extends its deepest sympathies to the family of Jamal Edwards MBE, his friends, and all of those whose lives he helped, may he rest in eternal peace.

996Estonian National Day

Tabled: 22/02/22 Signatories: 26

Martin Docherty-Hughes

Patricia Gibson

Allan Dorans

Alan Brown

John Spellar

Owen Thompson

That this House notes that 24 February is the Estonian National Day, marking 104 years since the signing of the Estonian declaration of independence in 1918, and the foundation of the Republic of Estonia; further notes that the Estonian people had been subjects variously of Swedish, Russian and German Empires and that in 1917 after years of brutal conflict in Europe, Estonians formed a Provisional National Council, the Maapäev, to reform and modernise institutions and governance that had previously been the preserve of the Russian Imperial elite; notes that as the Bolshevik government sought to overturn these steps towards self-determination and the German army threatened to invade, the Maapäev held elections at the start of February 1918 which underlined its legitimacy before the declaration of independence on 24 February; and further notes that following this demonstration of Estonian self-determination it was required to bravely fight both German and Soviet forces until the signing of the Tartu Peace Treaty in February 1920; and recalls the words in the preamble to the Estonian Declaration of Independence on 24 February, which state that never in the course of centuries have the Estonian people lost their ardent desire for independence and that from generation to generation Estonians have kept alive the secret hope that in spite of enslavement and oppression by other nations the time will come in Estonia when it is said that all splinters, at both ends, will burst forth into flames and when Kalev will come home to bring his children happiness.

998International Mother Language Day

Tabled: 22/02/22 Signatories: 16

Apsana Begum

Richard Burgon

Zarah Sultana

Bell Ribeiro-Addy

Claudia Webbe

Owen Thompson

That this House pays tribute to International Mother Language Day 2022 which was the initiative of Bangladesh and was approved at the 1999 UNESCO General Conference; notes that it has been observed on 21 February throughout the world since 2000 and commemorates the Bangladeshi university students martyred for the Bangla language in 1952; and believes that valuing linguistic diversity helps provide people with an understanding of language and culture, raises educational attainment, and celebrates the plurality and richness of multicultural communities.

1001Eve Muirhead and Team GB's Women's Olympic Gold

Tabled: 22/02/22 Signatories: 10

Pete Wishart

Allan Dorans

Jim Shannon

Chris Law

Stewart Malcolm McDonald

Jonathan Edwards

That this House warmly congratulates Blair Atholl's Eve Muirhead on leading her ladies curling rink to Olympic gold in Beijing against Japan; recognises the monumental efforts of Eve Muirhead, Vicky Wright, Jennifer Dodds, Hailey Duff and alternate Mili Smith, from Guildtown, throughout the tournament; shares the pride felt across Scotland and in Perthshire in particular; further congratulates Team GB's men on winning silver against strong Swedish opposition; and wishes further success in the forthcoming World Championships.

1002Pension triple lock and pensioner poverty

Tabled: 22/02/22 Signatories: 12

Patricia Gibson

Allan Dorans

Jim Shannon

Chris Law

Douglas Chapman

Stewart Malcolm McDonald

That this House acknowledges the 5.5 per cent rise in inflation which saw the cost-of-living soar to a 30-year high in January, with energy, fuel and food prices all being impacted; recognises that more than two million older people are already living in poverty in the UK, up 31per cent since 2013-14 according to Age UK; is concerned that the removal of the triple lock, the link between earnings and pensions, is already set to see many pensioners approximately £520 worse off over the next 12 months; is concerned that many older people will not be able to afford to keep their homes adequately heated this winter as they struggle with the cost-of-living crisis; is dismayed by the Government’s abandonment of a key manifest pledge to protect the pension's triple lock, which has seen pensioners’ incomes detrimentally impacted in recent years; notes that inflation may rise above 7 per cent with the price cap on energy prices set to rise again in the coming months; opposes this latest attack on pensioners who have already seen free TV licences removed for the over 75s, suffered cuts to Pension Credit, women born in the 1950s hit by pension changes for which they were unable to financially prepare; and urges the Government to urgently review the State Pension increase for 2022 with a view to restoring the triple lock forthwith.

1006Accommodation for children in care over the age of 15

Tabled: 24/02/22 Signatories: 16

Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck

Ian Mearns

Kim Johnson

Mohammad Yasin

Mr Virendra Sharma

John McDonnell

That this House notes with grave concern the introduction of secondary legislation by the Department for Education which guarantees care and regulated accommodation to vulnerable looked-after children only to the age of 15; and is further concerned by the disproportionate impact this policy has on boys and children from black, Asian and minority ethnic communities; further adds that between 2018 and 2020, 22 children in care aged 16 and 17 died while living in this type of unregulated setting which is devoid of care and consistent adult supervision; further champions the charity Article 39 and the delegation of care experienced people who handed over a 10,700 signature-strong #KeepCaringTo18 petition to Downing Street on this issue; and urgently calls on the Government to change this legislation to ensure all looked after children, no matter what their age, live in accommodation that has carers and provides care.

1007Potential health effects of proposed medical waste incinerator, Simonswood, West Lancashire

Tabled: 24/02/22 Signatories: 3

Sir George Howarth

Rosie Cooper

Jim Shannon

That this House notes with strong concern, the potential consequences for residents in Kirkby and West Lancashire if the Culzean W2E planning application for a medical waste incinerator in West Lancashire, on the border of Kirkby, is approved by Lancashire County Council; expresses concern that the site of the proposed incinerator is already very poorly managed with a number of companies conducting waste management businesses on it with a complete lack of consideration in regard to the effect that their activities have on local residents; further notes that those activities include the use of dilapidated and unsafe buildings, unacceptable storage of waste materials and waste materials falling off vehicles associated with the site; notes, with strong misgivings, the potential impact that a medical incinerator on the site would have on the health and wellbeing of residents in Knowsley and West Lancashire; and calls on Lancashire County Council, West Lancashire Borough Council and the Environment Agency to defer any further consideration of the proposal and focus on taking strong enforcement action against those already involved at the site.

100825th Anniversary of Pro-Duct Group, Cardenden

Tabled: 24/02/22 Signatories: 6

Peter Grant

Marion Fellows

Patrick Grady

Allan Dorans

Jim Shannon

Chris Stephens

That this House congratulates the family-run Pro-Duct Group in Cardenden on their 25th anniversary in business; notes that Brian Dempster Snr. started Pro-Duct in 1996 with second-hand machinery from its origins in an old dairy workshop in Kingskettle, and with a lot of hard work and drive has grown the business over the years to become one of the UK’s leading manufacturers and installers of ventilation ductwork systems; further notes that the business and its five operating companies (Pro-Duct Fife Ltd, Pro-Duct Installations, Pro-Duct Sheet Metal Ltd, Pro-Duct Fabrications Ltd and Pro-Duct Maintenance Services Ltd) have grown from a turnover of just over £30,000 per year to over £5 million; congratulates Brian’s son, Brian Dempster Jnr. on his first two very successful years at the helm of the business; highlights some of the business’ recent success in securing contracts to help tackle covid-19 by supporting the construction and development of the Rosalind Franklin Laboratory in Leamington Spa, the UK’s first testing mega lab, and Valneva in Scotland which is a vaccine manufacturing facility; thanks all of the more than 70 strong team, many of whom have worked with Pro-Duct for many years, for their hard work and dedication to the business; and offers all of the team at Pro-Duct its best wishes for the future of the business.

1009Olympic medallist Hammy McMillan

Tabled: 24/02/22 Signatories: 7

David Linden

Marion Fellows

Patrick Grady

Allan Dorans

Jonathan Edwards

Jim Shannon

That this House congratulates Glasgow East constituent Hammy McMillan who recently won the silver medal in men’s curling at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics Games; commends his teammates Bruce Mouat, Grant Hardie and Bobby Lammy on their achievement; notes that the team is the first men’s team since 2014 Sochi Winter Games to reach the curling final; celebrates the success of Scottish Sport at the Winter Olympics, and hopes that the achievements of the men’s curling team will inspire young people across Scotland, but particularly in Glasgow East.

1010Support for the pig farming industry

Tabled: 25/02/22 Signatories: 4

Helen Morgan

Wendy Chamberlain

Tim Farron

Jim Shannon

That this House recognises the huge benefits the domestic pig farming industry brings to the United Kingdom; celebrates that the industry is worth £655 million to the British economy; acknowledges that farmers have been paying the price for problems in the supply chain; further notes that these problems are avoidable; and calls on the Government to offer vital support to pig farmers who face financial ruin, in the form of a targeted funding package and a relaxation of visa rules to prevent labour shortages.