Contents

Published: Wednesday 8 November 2023

Early Day Motions tabled on Tuesday 7 November 2023

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

1Protecting civilians in Gaza and Israel

Tabled: 7/11/23 Signatories: 93

Richard Burgon

Caroline Lucas

Liz Saville Roberts

Chris Stephens

Claire Hanna

Kenny MacAskill

This House utterly condemns the massacre of Israeli civilians and taking of hostages by Hamas; agrees with the United Nations Secretary-General that these horrific acts do not justify responding with the collective punishment of the Palestinian people; expresses its deep alarm at the Israeli military bombardment and total siege of Gaza and the resulting deaths and suffering; believes that the urgent priority must be to stop the deaths and suffering of any more civilians in Gaza and Israel; welcomes the joint statement from 12 leading aid agencies, including Oxfam, Christian Aid, CAFOD, Medical Aid for Palestinians and Islamic Relief, calling on the UK Government to use its influence to help protect civilians, to ensure adherence to international humanitarian law and to guarantee civilians have access to critical life-saving humanitarian support; and to this end supports their call for the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary to urgently press all parties to agree to an immediate de-escalation and cessation of hostilities, to ensure the immediate, unconditional release of the Israeli hostages, to end the total siege of Gaza and allow for unfettered access of medical supplies, food, fuel electricity and water, to guarantee that international humanitarian law is upheld and that civilians are protected in accordance with those laws.

2Addressing the climate emergency

Tabled: 7/11/23 Signatories: 1

Caroline Lucas

That this House expresses its profound concern about the Government’s failure to address the urgency of the climate and ecological emergency; is alarmed by escalating climate impacts and the diminishing remaining carbon budget for limiting global temperatures to 1.5 degrees; is dismayed by the recent approval of the Rosebank oil field, the contents of which would, if burned, produce more CO2 than the combined annual emissions of all 28 low-income countries in the world; condemns the Prime Minister’s rollback on delivering Net Zero which falsely pits measures to achieve our climate targets against tackling the cost of living crisis, creates uncertainty for businesses, will lead to increased costs for households, and further erodes the UK’s standing on the world stage; notes that according to the Climate Change Committee, the UK is unlikely to deliver its 2030 Nationally Determined Contribution and is off track to meet the Sixth Carbon Budget; calls on the Government to press for an agreement on the urgent and just phase out of all fossil fuels, as well as the operationalisation of a properly resourced Loss and Damage Finance Fund at COP28 in Dubai; and urges the Government to deliver the transformative action needed to meet the UK’s climate targets, reduce energy bills for the long-term, and regain the UK’s climate leadership, including a retrofit revolution to upgrade the UK’s leaky homes, unleashing cheap and abundant renewables, and putting an end to new oil and gas licences, alongside facilitating a Just Transition for workers and communities.

3Stewarton Tennis Club

Tabled: 7/11/23 Signatories: 1

Alan Brown

That this House congratulates Stewarton Tennis Club on reaching its centenary year, marking 100 years of service to the local community; recognises the significant role Stewarton Tennis Club has played in creating a love for tennis in the Kilmarnock and Loudoun area since its establishment in 1923; commends the club's commitment to promoting the sport through its active participation in the Ayrshire Leagues, offering a diverse coaching program for juniors, and hosting numerous successful social events throughout the year; acknowledges the great weekend that was enjoyed by all on 7 and 8 October as they celebrated this remarkable milestone, including the Yellow Ball (adults) Club Championship Finals, a mixed doubles tournament, and a family fun day, which saw the whole community come together to commemorate the club's rich history and contributions; appreciates the vital role Stewarton Tennis Club plays within the constituency of Kilmarnock and Loudoun, providing recreational opportunities and fostering community spirit; invites all hon. Members to join in congratulating Stewarton Tennis Club on its centenary year and to extend best wishes for continued success in the years to come; and requests that the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport consider providing appropriate recognition and support to Stewarton Tennis Club for its contributions to community sports over the past century.

4Darvel Telephone Museum

Tabled: 7/11/23 Signatories: 1

Alan Brown

That this House acknowledges with appreciation the remarkable contribution of Max Flemmich, in establishing Darvel's one-of-a-kind Telephone Museum, which has been a hidden gem in the community; recognises that the Telephone Museum, located in a former bakery, has been a unique institution in Scotland, showcasing the evolution of telecommunications over a century, from 1900 to 2000; appreciates that the museum provides a hands-on experience, allowing visitors to interact with operational manual switchboards, automatic mechanical Strowger equipment, semi-digital systems, and a wide array of vintage telephones, including early wooden and metal magneto phones; praises Max Flemmich for his dedication to preserving the rich history of telecommunications and making it accessible to the community, leaving a lasting legacy for Darvel; acknowledges that the museum's closure marks the end of an era, and it is important to commemorate its significant contribution to preserving our cultural heritage; and invites all hon. Members to join in recognising the closure of Darvel's Telephone Museum and to express gratitude for Max Flemmich's tireless efforts in establishing and maintaining this wonderful museum.

5Verve

Tabled: 7/11/23 Signatories: 1

Alan Brown

That this House commends Verve, a dynamic and community-centred organisation located in Darvel, for their unwavering commitment to well-being and connecting communities; recognises the valuable role that Verve plays in revitalising the local community, utilising the old bookmakers premises as a hub for numerous groups and classes that serve both recovery-focused and general interest purposes; applauds Verve's dedication to improving the well-being of individuals and fostering a sense of unity within the community, which aligns perfectly with the values cherished by Kilmanrock and Loudoun constituents; further recognises and commends Jane Slider who is a driving force behind this inspirational community initiative; further applauds Jane and the entire Verve team for their outstanding efforts and the multitude of community activities they manage throughout the village; and acknowledges that Verve's work exemplifies the spirit of community engagement and resilience, making a significant and positive impact on the lives of those they serve, and the all round positive community-based approach undertaken by Jane Slider.

6Immigration

Tabled: 7/11/23 Signatories: 6

Sir Stephen Timms

Bell Ribeiro-Addy

Dawn Butler

Tim Farron

Kim Johnson

Clive Lewis

That an humble Address be presented to His Majesty, praying that the Immigration and Nationality (Fees) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2023 (S.I., 2023, No. 1004), dated 14 September 2023, a copy of which was laid before this House on 15 September 2023, be annulled.

7Sixth year of detention of Jagtar Singh Johal

Tabled: 7/11/23 Signatories: 1

Martin Docherty-Hughes

That this House notes that Friday 4 November 2023 marked the sixth anniversary of the arbitrary detention in India of Jagtar Singh Johal, a Sikh activist and son of the Rock of Dumbarton held since being abducted from the street during his honeymoon by unidentified assailants who turned out to be undercover police agents; further notes that he alleges that while held incommunicado for 10 days by local police, he was tortured both physically and through electric shocks to his nipples and genitals, something which led him to signing a confession, a confession that has subsequently been used when filing charges against him; supports the ruling of the UN Working Group on arbitrary detention which in May 2022 gave its opinion that Jagtar’s detention was an arbitrary one; urges the Government to also support this opinion and do what it can to achieve Jagtar’s immediate release; further regrets the continuation of the Government’s negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement with the Republic of India as long as a UK citizen remains arbitrarily detained in an Indian prison; and states unequivocally that these negotiations should be paused until such time as the Indian Government addresses Jagtar’s arbitrary detention.

8National Nurturing Schools Award for Our Lady and St. Patrick's High School

Tabled: 7/11/23 Signatories: 1

Martin Docherty-Hughes

That this House congratulates Our Lady and St. Patrick’s High School (OLSP) in Dumbarton on being the first secondary school in Scotland to receive the National Nurturing Schools Award in recognition of their nurturing culture for children and young people in their care; believes that this award is a testament to the dedicated work carried out across the OLSP community where every child has access to the support they need, when they need it; understands that OLSP will now become an Ambassador School where they will share their work with other secondary schools nationally which will have a positive impact on young people across the country; wishes them well on their future endeavours; and thanks every member of the OLSP community for their continued service.

9General Election in Bangladesh

Tabled: 7/11/23 Signatories: 1

Bob Blackman

That this House believes that the next General Elections in Bangladesh must be held on schedule and conducted in a free and fair manner; expects the elections to be participatory and peaceful, with special care taken to ensure that all sections of society, especially minorities, are able to exercise their voting rights without interference and intimidation and to safeguard minority communities from persecution and discrimination in exercising their fundamental right to vote; and further believes that the democratic process and institutions must be strengthened and respected in Bangladesh by all stakeholders, political parties, voters, the administration, law enforcement agencies, judiciary and the media.

10Life and work of D.A. Jones

Tabled: 7/11/23 Signatories: 1

Liz Saville Roberts

That this House commemorates the life and work of Daniel Angell Jones,1861-1936, a Harlech based botanist and schoolmaster, who served as Secretary and President of the British Bryological Society; notes that he was a much loved teacher and an acknowledged authority on ferns and mosses; further notes that his assistance was often sought by botanists interested in the flora of North Wales, especially the historic counties of Meirionnydd and Caernarfonshire; acknowledges that he was remembered by his pupils for nature walks and how to make medicines from flowers and mosses, and by his peers for his memory of detail, locality and habitat as a phanerogamic botanist; and highlights that his manuscript Flora is preserved at the National Museum of Wales for future generations of aspiring botanists.

11Eighth Annual Ayurveda Day, 9 November 2023

Tabled: 7/11/23 Signatories: 1

Bob Blackman

That this House celebrates the eighth annual Ayurveda Day and acknowledges that Ayurveda, the ancient and complete system of natural healthcare, offers a timeless tradition of holistic, prevention-oriented and multi-dimensional approaches to health and well-being, with the goal of a disease-free society; recognises the importance of research on Ayurveda as exemplified by the unique collaboration between the UK and India in which researchers will test whether Ashwagandha can help improve the quality of life and aid people with long Covid; notes that the WHO recognises Ayurveda’s ethos and value to humanity as preventative and curative for a wide range of health conditions; further notes that Ayurveda addresses well-being through a wide range of strategies including consciousness-based programmes, personalised dietary advice, lifestyle management approaches unique to physical and psychological constitution, profound procedures to remove toxins from the physiology, and natural herbal formulas; and urges the Government to fulfil its commitment to the promotion of good health and prevention of ill-health by integrating Ayurveda into the NHS, establishing a Department of Natural and Integrative Healthcare, introducing a Chair of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine in all Medical Schools so students can gain a thorough grounding in this ancient science, encouraging research into Ayurveda, supporting the Ayurveda Centre of Excellence, promoting collaboration between the NHS and Indian Ministry of Ayush, and providing natural healthcare education in schools as a basis for improving the social and emotional well-being of all young people as a preparation for a long and healthy life.

12Calum MacLeod and Who Dares Cares

Tabled: 7/11/23 Signatories: 1

Owen Thompson

That this House applauds the superb work of Calum Macleod and his charity Who Dares Cares which seeks to help armed forces veterans and former emergency services personnel with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); recognises Calum’s lived experience of trauma and his exemplary service in the military; appreciates his tireless work to offer support and activities to people with PTSD; further applauds his recent work with his About Turn scheme which aims to rehabilitate and support veterans who have ended up in the criminal justice system; and wishes him and his organisation every success for the future.

1351st anniversary of the expulsion of Asians from Uganda

Tabled: 7/11/23 Signatories: 1

Bob Blackman

That this House notes that it has been 51 years since the expiry of the deadline set by President Idi Amin ordering the expulsion of more than 70,000 Asians from Uganda against a backdrop of rising anti-Indian sentiment, violence and killings in the country; further notes that 28,606 came to the UK in the autumn of 1972, around half of whom were accommodated for up to six months at 16 resettlement centres around England and Wales; commends the welcome they were given by local communities who rallied around to provide the evacuees with warm clothes, books, toys and activities; acknowledges the work involved in organising exhibitions and events in Tywyn, Wickhambrook, Honiton, Brent, Harrow, Leicester, Peterborough and other places to commemorate the 50th anniversary year by multiple organisations; pays tribute to British Ugandan Asians at 50, an initiative of UK registered charity The India Overseas Trust, to its late Chair, Mr Praful R.C. Patel, the only Asian member of the 1972 UK Government Uganda Resettlement Board, and to the late Mr Manubhai M. Madhvani, distinguished philanthropist and respected community leader who played a critical role in the marking of the 25th anniversary; and recognises the contribution of the British Ugandan Asian community to the UK through business, science, politics and the arts.

14Newsquest Local Democracy Reporter pay

Tabled: 7/11/23 Signatories: 6

Grahame Morris

John McDonnell

Kim Johnson

Ian Byrne

Liz Saville Roberts

Chris Stephens

That this House is concerned that publisher Newsquest is failing to provide decent salaries for its Local Democracy Reporters despite allocated funding provided by the BBC from licence fee payers; notes that Newsquest has failed to account for a £10,000 surplus per post even after salary and usual employers' costs of National Insurance and pension contributions are considered; regrets that low pay risks the loss of talented journalists providing local councils and communities with wholly relevant, accessible news through their public interest journalism; further notes that other publishers pay their reporters a fair wage with one rival setting a £31,200 minimum salary for senior reporters compared to £24,056 offered by Newsquest; commends the efforts of the National Union of Journalists to achieve pay increases for reporters using ringfenced money; condemns Newsquest’s failure to address adequately the union's reasonable concerns; and implores the publisher to use licence fee payers’ funds appropriately by introducing salary increases and conditions reflective of the immense value of Local Democracy Reporters.

15Awareness of Postural Tachycardia Syndrome

Tabled: 7/11/23 Signatories: 2

Cat Smith

Angela Crawley

That this House notes that awareness of Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (PoTs) is low despite an increase in diagnoses connected with long covid; highlights that PoTS is a nervous system abnormality mainly affecting women, where exercise, standing or sitting cause symptoms ranging from palpitations and shortness of breath to chest pain and fainting; further highlights that studies from the US have suggested that the condition impacts around 170 in every 100,000 people in the population; notes with concern that many doctors are still unaware of PoTS syndrome and the average diagnosis of PoTS from first presentation to diagnosis is seven years; draws attention to the fact that for 90% of patients a diagnosis followed by medically-guided lifestyle changes or medication can improve and manage symptoms; and therefore calls on the Government to increase support for people suffering from PoTS and to raise awareness around PoTS within the NHS.

16Cost of court transcripts

Tabled: 7/11/23 Signatories: 1

Sarah Olney

That this House believes that justice should be accessible and transparent; notes that the cost of court transcripts is a barrier to justice for many victims, most of whom do not attend trial; further notes that victims have been quoted up to £22,000 to obtain court transcripts; acknowledges that a transcript of court proceedings can be beneficial to a victim’s recovery and understanding; welcomes the commitment from the Scottish Government to implement a pilot scheme to waive court transcript fees for victims of rape and sexual offences; urges the Ministry of Justice to explore how technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and captioning software could be utilised to reduce costs; and calls on the Government to take steps to improve access to justice by enabling all victims to request a transcript of court proceedings free of charge.

1740th anniversary of the bombing at Ulster University Jordanstown

Tabled: 7/11/23 Signatories: 1

Jim Shannon

That this House notes the 40th Anniversary of the murder of three RUC officers who were attending a course in criminology at Jordanstown Polytechnic on 4 November 1983; extends sincere and sustained sympathies to the families of Stephen Fyfe, 28, a married father of a 14 month-old, John Martin, 28, a married father who left a baby daughter and William McDonald, 29, a married father of two who died nine months later having never regained consciousness; notes that the shrapnel bomb exploded at 11:30am in the lecture room that was full of students and killed these men as well as injuring others; and reaffirms the determination of this House to never forget those whose lives were taken in duty to Queen and country by evil and cowardly acts of IRA terrorists and to ensure the memory of their service and bravery lives on.

1880th anniversary of Canning House

Tabled: 7/11/23 Signatories: 1

Dr Lisa Cameron

That this House congratulates Canning House on reaching its 80th anniversary; recognises its unique contribution to the strengthening of understanding and fostering of closer British relations with Latin America, Spain and Portugal; applauds the 1st Viscount Davidson for his foresight in founding Canning House in November 1943; recognises the great benefits of Britain increasing its connectivity in multiple fields, including education, culture, trade and diplomacy, with countries across Latin America, including the major G20 economies of Brazil, Mexico and Argentina; and expresses delight that a rejuvenated Canning House, based in new offices in Westminster, with an enterprising and stimulating programme of events, promises to perform its valuable role for many more decades to come.

19Disability History Month 2023

Tabled: 7/11/23 Signatories: 1

Dr Lisa Cameron

That this House recognises that 16 November to 16 December 2023 is Disability History Month, which is now in its fourteenth year of being celebrated in the UK; notes that Disability History Month is a month to celebrate disabled people and champion their abilities and rights; further notes that this year’s theme is Disability, Childhood and Youth; commends UKDHM Organiser Richard Rieser and the many disability activists for their dedication and efforts to bringing Disability History Month to the UK; recognises that many disabled children and young people do not yet have fully inclusive lives and face barriers in developing their full potential; further recognises that, due to discrimination and stigma, many have chosen not to identify their disability within their community; calls for the wider promotion and protection of disability rights; highlights that those with mental health issues, neurodiversity and learning difficulties face particular societal barriers; highlights the importance of creating welcoming communities and promoting social inclusion; recognises the need to progress from a medical approach; and urges parliamentarians to work for an inclusive, accessible, rights based and sustainable society for disabled people across the UK.

20Clare Gray

Tabled: 7/11/23 Signatories: 1

Dr Lisa Cameron

That this House marks with sadness the passing of Clare Gray, a distinguished disability advocate who departed on 3 October after a brief illness; recognises Clare’s immeasurable legacy as one of the most influential disabled advocates campaigning in the UK for the last decade; notes that her advocacy not only raised awareness of the challenges faced by disabled individuals, but also inspired positive change and empowered countless lives along the way; highlights her instrumental role in the Shaw Trust Disability Power 100 project, which recognises and celebrates the 100 most influential disabled people living and working in the UK; and expresses heartfelt condolences to Clare’s family and colleagues for their immeasurable loss.