Michael Clapham
EDMs
Early Day Motions
EDM 1376
INTERNATIONAL WORKERS MEMORIAL DAY
22.04.2008
That this House notes that 28th April is International Workers Memorial Day; commemorates those who have died as a result of work; and calls on the Government to do what it can to officially mark the day whilst at the same time reducing the death toll caused by work by increasing resources for prevention of ill-health and injury in the workplace as recommended by the recent Work and Pensions Select Committee, Third Report of Session 2007-08, on The role of the Health and Safety Commission and the Health and Safety Executive in regulating workplace health and safety, HC 246-I.
EDM 1284
MR GAFAR ALI HASSAN AND MRS ALI HASSAN
31.03.2008
That this House is most concerned that Mr Gafar Ali Hassan and Mrs Ali Hassan who fled from Iraq to the UK in 2006 in fear of their lives have been told to prepare to return: considers that this decision fails to comprehend that Mr Hassan's Baa'th connections and rank of Lieutenant-Colonel in the Iraqi armed forces until 2000 make him a militia target; believes that if he were returned to Iraq there is a high risk of Mr Hassan being murdered; and calls on the Minister for Immigration and Asylum to intervene and give him and his wife the right to sanctuary until their well-being can be guaranteed
EDM 1170
CONTROLS ON ASBESTOS
11.03.2008
That this House notes that it is some time since the Interim Chemical Review Committee (ICRC), a part of the United Nations Environmental Programme, recommended that all forms of asbestos should be subject to strict international controls to eliminate the risk associated with the material; is shocked that although white asbestos was nominated by the ICRC for inclusion in the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) list of the Rotterdam Convention its entry on the list was stalled in 2006 by national governments led by Canada; is concerned that some international trades unions have reported an increase in asbestos diseases in Latin America and Asia particularly India; believes that parliaments and their members have a responsibility to ensure that decent work for a fair globalisation includes the right not to be exposed to hazardous materials; and calls on the UK Government to take the lead in pressing for white asbestos to be included in the Rotterdam Convention PIC list as a prelude to a global ban of what has been called the most pervasive environmental hazard in the world.
EDM 1128
CORONERS BILL AND THE TREATMENT OF MESOTHELIOMA PATIENTS
05.03.2008
That this House urges the Government to make the passing of the draft Coroners Bill a priority; calls for the needs of the bereaved families to be put at the centre of the coroners' system and for a chief coroner to be able to set national standards; expresses concern at the British Lung Foundation's report An Unnatural Death, which highlights that when a death from mesothelioma occurs outside of the coroner's working hours the bereaved are often visited by uniformed police in a marked police car, sometimes in the middle of the night; and suggests that in cases of mesothelioma, clinicians should follow the guidance jointly published by the British Thoracic Society and the British Lung Foundation which recommends that the inquest procedure should be discussed with the patient and their family at an appropriate time and that information should be collected that may later be helpful to the coroners in their enquiries.
EDM 1113
COLLIERY SCREEN WORKERS AND THE INDUSTRIAL INJURIES ADVISORY COUNCIL RECOMMENDATION
04.03.2008
That this House welcomes the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council recommendation of November 2007 that the prescribed disease chronic obstructive pulmonary disease be extended to include those exposed to coal dust during screen work on the colliery surface for a minimum period of 40 years to 1983; and calls on the Department of Work and Pensions to complete its assessment of the recommendation as soon as possible so that the few survivors who are eligible to claim an industrial injuries disablement benefit award can do so and discussions can begin with the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform for a full and final compensation payment.
EDM 1001
PLEURAL PLAQUE POST CARD CAMPAIGN
21.02.2008
That this House supports the Union of Construction Allied Trades and Technicians post card campaign launched outside the Ministry of Justice on 20th February 2008 protesting about the decision of the Law Lords made on 17th October 2007 that `pleural plaques' are not a compensatable medical condition; notes that prior to this judgement compensation had been paid for the last 20 years; is aware that expert medical opinion judges that pleural plaques only develop after prolonged asbestos exposure and that they indicate an increased risk of developing a more serious complication in later life; and calls on the Government to bring forward legislative proposals to allow compensation for pleural plaques, recognising the condition as a permanent and irreversible structural change to the lining of the lung caused by negligent exposure to asbestos.
EDM 970
ACTION MESOTHELIOMA DAY 2008
19.02.2008
That this House welcomes Action Mesothelioma Day on 27th February; recognises that the asbestos-related cancer mesothelioma kills someone every five hours in the United Kingdom; expresses alarm at the results of a recent survey by the British Lung Foundation that shows worryingly few tradespeople have received training on how to deal with asbestos or are aware that asbestos exposure can cause cancer; supports initiatives by the Health and Safety Executive in partnership with trades unions, trade associations, charities and suppliers to raise awareness amongst tradespeople of the risks from asbestos and to encourage them to find out about the precautions they should be taking; is encouraged by the results of a British Lung Foundation audit of cancer networks in England showing that most have adopted the Mesothelioma Framework; but also recognises that more effort is needed to improve treatment and care for people with mesothelioma by establishing more specialist multi-disciplinary teams.
EDM 809
FUTURE OF REMPLOY
29.01.2008
That this House expresses its concerns that a number of Remploy factories remain threatened with closure; notes that Remploy receives a subsidy to employ disabled workers who otherwise may not be employed elsewhere in the labour market; is appalled by reports that Remploy is outsourcing work to cheap labour in Bulgaria which was previously carried out by the soon to be closed Barnsley Remploy factory; and therefore calls on the Secretary of State to step in to guarantee work for British disabled workers, and to meet the Remploy National Trade Union Consortium to consider their proposals for a sustainable future for Remploy.
EDM 779
WOODHEAD TUNNEL (No. 2)
24.01.2008
That this House is concerned that the National Grid company plans to relocate its five kilometre high voltage cable from the old Woodhead tunnel to the newer one built in the 1950s which will impact detrimentally on proposals for a strategic transpennine freight line linking the economies of the East and West Pennines; and asks that the Secretary of State for Transport to urge the National Grid company to consider the alternative option of repairing the old tunnel to locate the cable.
EDM 722
COAL INDUSTRY PENSION SCHEMES
17.01.2008
That this House urges the Government to begin discussions with the trustees of the coal industry pension schemes to consider how best to implement the joint statement of 17th January 2002 issued by the Government and the coal industry pension trustees declaring that `both the Government and the trustees recognise that there have been changes in circumstances since 1994. They have therefore agreed to explore how these changes might best be reflected in revisions to the 1994 arrangements which would benefit members'.
EDM 778
RESOURCES
24.01.2008
That this House is concerned that the current squeeze on Health and Safety Executive (HSE) funding has almost halved the proportion of gross domestic product spent on the organisation since 1992; is worried that the HSE does not have sufficient resources to meet its obligations as a safety and health regulator; believes that the level of fines for criminal breaches of safety and health legislation sends the signal that society does not take death, injury and disease at work as seriously as other forms of business malpractice; and calls on the Government to make more resources available to the HSE as well as increasing the level of fines for safety and health breaches to ensure UK business and society benefits from a strong health and safety culture.
EDM 1703
MESOTHELIOMA MSO1 TRIAL AND ACCESS TO ALIMTA
14.06.2007
That this House recognises that since July 2005 mesothelioma victims in Scotland have had access to the drug Alimta, which is the only licensed treatment for this tumour; welcomes the decision of the cancer networks and primary care trusts that have made Alimta available in parts of England and Wales; notes the debate in the Scottish Parliament on 7th June 2007 supporting continued availability of the drug; draws attention to the recent publication of the results of the MSO1 clinical trial comparing two unlicensed therapies mitomycin/vinorelbine/platinum (MVP) in combination with active symptom control (ASC) and further notes that these chemotherapy agents did not result in a significant survival benefit; observes that modelling submitted to the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) in the on-going appraisal of Alimta for the treatment of mesothelioma shows that the drug is cost effective per quality adjusted life year (QALY); implores NICE to take account of this; and calls on the Secretary of State for Health to accept that given the industrial nature of this disease the Government has a wider duty of care and social responsibility that goes beyond the definition of cost effectiveness.
EDM 671
NORTHERN COLLEGE
17.01.2007
That this House congratulates the staff and students at Northern College for the excellent report it received from the Adult Learning Inspectorate when it was awarded six grade ones in all aspects of its work; considers that this justifies its standing as a beacon college; and recognises that it has managed to combine widening participation with a continuation of improvements in the quality of its provision whilst remaining at the forefront of the struggle to obtain educational equality.
EDM 729
NICE APPEAL DECISION ON ALIMTA FOR MESOTHELIOMA
24.01.2007
That this House is aware that since July 2005 mesothelioma victims in Scotland have had access to the drug Alimta, which is the only licensed treatment for this tumour; welcomes the decision of the Cancer Networks and primary care trusts that have made Alimta available in parts of England and Wales; urges them and NHS Quality Improvement Scotland to stand by their decision irrespective of what the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) finally decides; welcomes the decision by NICE announced on 19th December 2006 to uphold four of the grounds raised at the Alimta appeal hearing; notes that the use of Cost per Life Year Gained and other matters will now be reconsidered by the Appraisal Committee; further notes that Alimta is priced lower in the UK than in other European countries and that the NHS budget impact for 2007 will only be £3 million; urges the Government to review the appraisal methodology used by NICE; recognises the additional duty of care on Government to workers from the former nationalised industries negligently exposed to asbestos; and calls on the Secretary of State for Health to acknowledge that, in this case, she has a wider social responsibility that goes beyond the NICE definition of cost-effectiveness.
EDM 1064
ACTION MESOTHELIOMA 2007 CAMPAIGN
07.03.2007
That this House welcomes the Mesothelioma Framework launched on Action Mesothelioma Day, 27th February 2007, and urges the NHS to implement the guidelines as soon as possible; regrets that 37 per cent. of the British public are unaware that exposure to asbestos can cause cancer and that 65 per cent. have never heard of mesothelioma; further regrets that bereaved families report that legal procedures followed by the coroner constitute a distressing chain of events at an extremely difficult time; and welcomes the recommendations contained in the British Lung Foundation report An Unnatural Death for aiming to make this process more sympathetic to the relatives left behind.
EDM 1177
COMPENSATION FOR PEOPLE SUFFERING FROM MESOTHELIOMA
20.03.2007
That this House welcomes the proposal announced by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to provide faster compensation to all people diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer, including those exposed to fibres on working clothes and in the environment, together with the self-employed and those who cannot trace their exposure; and calls on the Government to implement speedily the necessary legislation to make these proposals a reality.
EDM 1178
HEALTH AND SAFETY ON THE PARLIAMENTARY ESTATE
20.03.2007
That this House welcomes the commitment of the House authorities and the Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare Service to sound health and safety management on the Parliamentary estate, and in particular the recent adoption of a five year health and safety risk management plan to ensure continuous improvements in the future.
EDM 1301
WORKERS' MEMORIAL DAY 28th APRIL
18.04.2007
That this House calls on the UK Government to give official recognition to 28th April, Workers' Memorial Day, in acknowledgement of the thousands of workers who die each year as a result of work related accidents and disease; and urges the Government to take steps to strengthen the workplace safety culture by introducing legislation to direct companies to appoint an executive at board level with responsibility for safety and health issues.
EDM 1302
BRITISH SAFETY COUNCIL'S 50th ANNIVERSARY
18.04.2007
That this House congratulates the British Safety Council on its 50th anniversary; notes that since its foundation in 1957 it has been at the forefront of promoting healthy, safe and environmentally sustainable workplaces, including helping to secure the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974; and wishes the organisation a continued successful future.
EDM 446 WHITE ASBESTOS AND THE ROTTERDAM CONVENTION
Michael Clapham
07.12.2006
That this House is concerned that white asbestos, although nominated by the Interim Chemical Review Committee for inclusion on the Prior Informed Consent list of the Rotterdam Convention, after years of negotiation was stalled by national governments led by Canada; observes that it met all the Convention's criteria and is recognised as a carcinogen by the European Union, the International Labour Organisation, the World Health Organisation, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, the International Programme on Chemical Safety, the World Trade Organisation and the Collegium Ramazzini; notes that white asbestos is being exported in ever greater quantities to the developing world and that the Building Workers International Trade Union reports that asbestos diseases are increasing in Latin America and Asia, particularly in India; and calls on the UK Government to take the lead in pressing for white asbestos to be included in the Rotterdam Convention PIC list as a prelude to a global ban of what has been called the most pervasive environmental hazard in the world.
EDM 358 ROTHERHAM ENERGY SEMINAR
Michael Clapham
29.11.2006
That this House welcomes the statement from the one day energy seminar held at Rotherham on Friday 27th October sponsored by Yorkshire Coal Task Force, Nuclear Free Local Authorities and Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council affirming that all forms of energy have consequences for the environment; recognises that the energy economy must be diverse, flexible and secure; believes that clean coal technology with carbon capture and storage can provide the most significant means of reducing carbon dioxide emissions globally; urges the Government to take steps to ensure that the indigenous UK coal industry can continue to contribute to security of supply in a balanced energy market; considers the conclusion in the Energy Review that new nuclear generating capacity is required to be premature; and calls on the Government to confirm that before any proposal to build a new nuclear station is made it will provide for a joint public inquiry based on the powers contained in Regulation 17 of the Justification of Practice Involving Ionising Radiation Regulations, section 14(1) and (28) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, section 24(2) of the Radioactive Substances Act 1993 and Schedule 8 of the Electricity Act 1989.
EDM 254 PROTECTING YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE WORKPLACE
Michael Clapham
22.11.2006
That this House is concerned to learn that over the last decade 14,500 teenagers were seriously injured at work and that 'shockingly' 66 died; welcomes the workplace hazard awareness course developed by the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health and the Health and Safety Executive for year 10 pupils; and calls on the Government to make it a mandatory part of every curriculum.
EDM 2598 - STIMULATING INVESTMENT IN CLEAN COAL TECHNOLOGY
Michael Clapham
18.07.2006
That this House considers the Government's challenge of reducing carbon emissions and ensuring security of supply could be achieved whilst retaining current coal fired generation capacity in the UK at about 29GW; notes that the need to replace 13GW of capacity by the end of 2015 provides a serious threat to security of supply but by the same token provides an early opportunity for investment in clean coal technologies; believes this could be achieved by a mixture of `carbon capture ready' New Build and Retrofits so that they could be progressively connected to the carbon capture network after 2015; further believes the required investment is hampered by Phase Two of the UK application of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme which introduces a benchmark favourable to gas; and calls on the Government to consider the German model which is fuel and technology specific and has encouraged investment in 11GW of new clean coal technology.
EDM 2513 - FULL COMPENSATION FOR WRONGLY DIAGNOSED CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE CLAIMANTS
Michael Clapham
05.07.2006
That this House is concerned to learn that families of former miners who were diagnosed to be suffering with bronchitis only and paid a settlement on that basis under the Coal Health Scheme are unable to obtain further compensation when a post mortem examination reveals that the diagnosis was erroneous; notes that a number of such cases have shown former miners were suffering from extensive emphysema and other dust-related respiratory diseases; and calls on the Department of Trade and Industry to instruct their insurers to pay further compensation where there is evidence that the original settlement was based on an incorrect diagnosis.
EDM 2417 - RESTORING FAIRNESS AT LAW FOR MESOTHELIOMA VICTIMS
Michael Clapham
20.06.2006
That this House applauds the Prime Minister and the Government for acting quickly to reverse the Barker Judgement and restore fairness at law for mesothelioma sufferers and their families by bringing forward an amendment to the Compensation Bill [Lords].
EDM 2253 - USE OF ALIMTA TO TREAT MESOTHELIOMA
Michael Clapham
24.05.2006
That this House is concerned by the preliminary guidance given by the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence on Alimta, the drug used in the treatment of mesothelioma cancer caused by exposure to asbestos; is aware of the wide geographical variation in the availability of the drug and that the Scottish Medicines Consortium and the London Cancer New Drugs Groups have already approved the use of Alimta; notes that initial results suggest it has been successful in increasing life expectancy and improving the quality of life of patients; supports the Trades Union Congress in its view that the estimated impact on the NHS of £3 million in the current year and around £5 million by the end of the decade is a small cost to pay for treatment that makes such a difference; and urges that Alimta be made universally available for the treatment of mesothelioma in the UK.
EDM 2252 - FAIRNESS FOR MESOTHELIOMA VICTIMS
Michael Clapham
24.05.2006
That this House is most concerned at the implications of the Barker case that has changed the law as it applies to mesothelioma victims; notes the reduction of compensation for negligent exposure where more than two companies were responsible and it proves impossible to bring a claim against all of them; observes that liability will be confined to the extent that it had increased the risk of developing mesothelioma and that other factors such as length of time of exposure and type of asbestos may be taken into account; considers that after 1965 no manufacturer can claim not to have known about the dangers of asbestos; and calls on the Government to bring forward legislation to restore fairness for mesothelioma.
EDM 2025 - WORKERS MEMORIAL DAY
Michael Clapham
24.04.2006
That this House recognises that Workers' Memeorial Day is an international commemorative event held on 28th April of each year and dedicated to those who have been killed and injured by workplace accidents or diseases; is aware that the International Labour Organisation reports that worldwide one person dies every 15 seconds as a result of an injury at work or a work-induced disease; is mindful that in the UK more than 3,5000 workers die each year as a result of exposure to asbestos; urges the Government officially to recognise this important day.
EDM 1271 - Energy Review and Coal (No. 2)
Michael Clapham
14.12.2005
That this House is aware that all forms of energy have substantial effects on the environment and that this is something the forthcoming energy review will take into account when deciding the UK's future energy mix; recognises that the energy economy must be diverse, flexible and secure; believes that electricity generation using clean coal technology with carbon capture will meet strict EU environmental standards and, through technology transfer to the world's developing economies, provide the most significant means of reducing global carbon dioxide emissions; and urges the Government to take immediate steps to ensure that the UK coal industry can continue to contribute to maintaining security of supply in a balanced energy economy.
EDM 1224 - Proposed Change to the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations
Michael Clapham
7.12.2005
That this House expresses concern that the new Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2006 will drop textured coatings from the list of materials that only licensed contractors are approved to remove; is further concerned that the Health & Safety Executive has arrived at this proposal without a proper evaluation of the risk associated with the material; believes that allowing unlicensed contractors to remove these materials will put workers, home owners and families at risk; and calls for the proposal and research methodology to be reviewed.
EDM 939 - UNICEF Helicopter Appeal for Children in Pakistan
Michael Clapham
2.11.2005
That this House is grievously saddened to learn of UNICEF's estimate that more than 32,000 children may have died in the Pakistan earthquake; notes with great concern UNICEF's warning that tens of thousands of children are now in peril due to deteriorating weather, injury and illness; is shocked to learn of UNICEF's estimate that there remain 120,000 children in the mountains still waiting for help, of whom 10,000 could die of hunger, hypothermia and disease within the next few weeks; and whilst commending the UK Government for having led the world in the relief operation, calls upon it to act with all urgency upon UNICEF's desperate call for the immediate provision of more helicopters and pilots to operate in a disaster zone.
EDM 734 - Breast Cancer Research and Great Britain Female Skydiving World Record
Michael Clapham
11.10.2005
That this House congratulates Great Britain's Female Skydiving Team, Brit Chicks, upon their successful participation in setting a new world Record at Perris, California on 30th September; commends Brit Chicks for having joined an International Group of Women Skydivers and achieving a record of 151 way freefall formation; and pays tribute to all women skydivers who took part in the Jump for the cause for raising £300,00 for breast cancer research and also promoting Breast Cancers Awareness worldwide.
EDM591 - Construction Workers and the Olympic Stadia
Michael Clapham
13.7.2005
That this House congratulates the London Olympic Bid Team in bringing the 2012 Olympics to London; notes the vital role the UK's construction workers will have in delivering the stadia structure for the event; agrees with the view expressed by the Union of Construction Allied Trades & Technicians that construction workers should be represented on the New Organising Committee that will draw up the Fair Employment Framework outlined by Lord Coe at the 2004 Trades Union Congress; and considers that all building contractors working on the project should be obliged through the contract compliance procedure to work in partnership with the trade unions representing construction workers to deliver safe systems of work and dignified terms and conditions that can best be achieved by following the lead set by the Heathrow Terminal 5 project where the directly employed workforce has proved to be the route to a world class project being built safely and delivered on time.
EDM536 - Cape plc Proposed UK Asbestos Victims Fund
Michael Clapham
6.7.2005
That this House is most concerned about the Cape plc proposals to establish a fund to pay their UK asbestos victims and thereby cap their asbestos liabilities for UK claimants; is further concerned that the scheme does not give an assurance that if the proposed £40 million fund is inadequate it will be topped up to meet the shortfall; believes it may leave victims insufficiently compensated and reliant on state support; therefore calls on Cape plc to publish its actuarial advice and to subject the proposal to independent financial scrutiny; and supports the claimants' solicitors in their appeal to the courts for more information to be made available and for a realistic timetable to be set so that the scheme can be properly evaluated before there is a vote on it.
EDM392 - Carbon Abatement Technologies Strategy and UK Mined Coal
22.6.2005
Michael Clapham
That this House welcomes the Government's paper 'A Strategy for Developing Carbon Abatement Technologies for Fossil Fuel Use' and the pledge to make £25 million available for carbon abatement technology research to enable fossil fuels to be burned with reduced carbon dioxide emissions, thus increasing the scope for UK deep-mined coal to be declared a strategic supply; and call son the Government to facilitate further development of the industry by introducing a new enhanced investment aid scheme.
EDM 287 - Connecting Villages to the Gas Network
8.6.2005
Michael Clapham
That this House calls for a new initiative between the Department of Environment , Food & Rural Affairs, the Department of Trade & Industry and Transco to extend the gas network to rural and semi-rural villages currently denied it, particularly in the Barnsley West & Penistone constituency, where some villages are situated less than a mile from the network, thereby making a real improvement to people's lives by tackling fuel poverty and furthering economic and social inclusion.
EDM 233 - Action to Achieve a Global Asbestos-Free Environment
25.05.05
Michael Clapham
That this House notes that a sub-committee of the UN Environmental Programme called for all forms of asbestos to be subject to strict international controls because of the implications for human health; welcomes the first Global Asbestos Congress held in Tokyo between 19th and 21st November 2004, attended by 800 delegates from 40 different countries; and calls on the EU and the G8 to take steps to transfer technological information on asbestos controls and substitutes to developing economies where there is no effective asbestos regulation, including the Bangladeshi and Pakistani ship-breaking beaches, the Korean asbestos textile factories and the Chinese, Vietnamese and Thai asbestos cement roofing industries, in a sustained international endeavour to bring about an asbestos-free environment.
EDM 231 - Institute of Occupational Health and Safety 60th Anniversary
25.05.05
Michael Clapham
That this House congratulates the Institute of Occupational Health and Safety on its 60th anniversary; notes it was founded in 1945 and that it is now Europe's largest membership body for occupational health and safety professionals with 28,000 members in over 50 countries; and wishes the organisation a continued successful future.
EDM 227 - International Ban on Asbestos
25.05.05
Michael Clapham
That this House notes that the report from the Interim Chemical Review Committee, a part of the United Nations Environmental Programme, recommended that all forms of asbestos should be subject to strict international trade controls to eliminate the risk associated with the material; and calls on the UK Government to use its presidency of the G8 and the EU to take the lead in pressing for a worldwide ban on all forms of asbestos, because death and disability caused by exposure to these fatal fibres in the developing world increases world poverty.
EDM 199 - Surface Workers and the Recommendation of the Former Trade & Industry Selection Committee
24.05.05
Michael Clapham
That this House notes that the Claimants Solicitors Group estimates that there are between 3,000 and 5,000 ex-colliery surface workers who have a potential claim against the former British Coal for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and is encouraged by the Minister's response when he gave an undertaking that the DTI would give maximum consideration to resolving the issue of surface workers' claims; and now calls on the Department to accept the recommendation of the Trade & Industry Select Committee in the previous Parliament in their Fourteenth Report 2004/05, 'Coal Health Compensation Schemes', agreed on 22nd March 2005, that a just solution would be to allow ex-surface workers to be admitted to the COPD compensation scheme.
EDM 142 - Conduct of Lord Falconer
Clapham, Michael
That this House is gravely disappointed to learn in this the 20th year since the end of the year long 1984-85 Miners' Strike that it was Lord Falconer, in a previous role, who advised Sir Ian MacGregor, the then Chairman of British Coal, how to get round the collective agreements signed over the previous 40 years between the National Union of Mineworkers and the National Coal Board/British Coal, resulting in the Board's withdrawal from the all-important Coal Industry Conciliation Scheme and thereby circumventing agreements established by democratic industrial procedures to pave the way for the recognition by British Coal of the breakaway Union of Democratic Mineworkers and leading to a worsening of the terms and conditions of all UK coalminers; and calls on Lord Falconer to make a statement.
EDM 837 - World -Wide Ban on Asbestos
7 March 2005
That this House notes that a couple of years ago the Interim Chemical Review Committee, a part of the United Nations Environmental Programme, recommended that all forms of asbestos should be subject to strict international trade controls to eliminate the risk associated with the material; and calls on the UK Government to use its presidency of the G8 and the EU to take the lead in pressing for a worldwide ban on all forms of asbestos, because death and disability caused by exposure to these fatal fibres in the developing world increases world poverty.
EDM 410
Coal Mine Surface Workers' Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Scheme
16 December 2004
That this House is disappointed by the decision not to establish a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease scheme for the relatively small number of surface mineworkers who did not work underground or worked underground for less than five years and who were involved in processing coal and exposed to a dusty environment covered by the 1974 Coal Miners' Pneumoconiosis Scheme; and calls on the Department for Trade & Industry to reconsider its decision.
EDM 1811
Sheffield Occupational Health Advisory Service Conference
25 October 2004
That this House congratulates the Sheffield Occupational Health Advisory Service for organising a successful conference on Health & Safety in the Construction Industry on Thursday 21st October that was both informative and meaningful with its focus on positive ways to improve working conditions and cut the rate of accidents and disease across the Industry.
EDM 1810
Coal Health Claims Handling Agreement
25 October 2004
That this House is most concerned by what appears to be the intention of the Department of Trade & Industry to exclude an unknown but potentially large number of deceased claims from recovering damages under the Coal Health Handling Agreement notwithstanding the fact that the Agreement was designed by Lawyers for both sides under the direction of the Court and in the knowledge that in many cases medical records would not be available and that under the medical assessment process the respiratory specialists would do the best they could in arriving at a balance of probability decision resulting in a discount in compensation payable in recognition of the paucity of medical evidence; is alarmed that the DTI has moved away from the Agreement and has described cases where there is a paucity of medical evidence as unassessable claims; and calls on the DTI to go back to the principles of the Agreement under which 180,000 claims have already been processed instead of pressing ahead with a change that will damage confidence in the claims handling process.
Fire Service National Procurement Strategy
6 July 2004
That this House regrets the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's lack of communication with the fire and rescue service supply industry over the development of a national procurement strategy; fears that a moratorium on major procurement will both impair the service's capability and threaten the future of many specialist small and medium sized companies across the United Kingdom; and urges the Government to adopt a constructive dialogue with manufacturers on the new procurement rules and official guidance that sustains competition and encourages innovation in equipping a modern fire and rescue service.
Independent Safety Rail Regulator
12 May 2004
That this House is concerned by reports that the current Rail Review is considering stripping the Health and Safety Executive of responsibility for rail safety; notes the Rail Safety and Standards Board supports the view of the Health and Safety Commission that rail safety has made steady improvements under its administration; believes that the independence of the Health and Safety Inspectorate has provided an assurance to the travelling public that the safety of rail passengers and staff is being properly managed; and calls on the Government to ensure that rail safety remains a top priority and stays with the Health and Safety Executive.
Workers' Memorial Day 28th April 2004
21 April 2004
That this House notes that the theme for this year's Workers' Memorial Day is health and safety for all; and notes that the purpose behind it is to remember those who have died as a result of injury and disease at work but at the same time to ensure that lessons are learnt so that tragedies are not repeated by strengthening trade union organisation in the workplace, campaigning for tougher enforcement with higher penalties for breaches of health and safety laws and concentrating strategic programmes of activity in line with the HSC guidance to achieve the 2010 targets of cutting deaths and major injuries by 10 per centre and reducing work-related ill heath by 20 per centre.
HM Prison Service Industrial and Agricultural Grades
31 March 2004
That this House recognises the very valuable contribution made to HM Prison Service by industrial and agricultural grade employees; is dismayed by the delayed offer and subsequent imposition of a one per cent increase on basic pay for 2003 because it neither retains purchasing power nor reflects the nature and content of the work they carry out; notes that for the first time in more than 25 years these grades are being forced to consider taking industrial action to try to secure an improved settlement; further notes that the trades unions who represent industrial and agricultural grades, namely UCATT, TGWU, GMB and AMICUS are seeking pay discussions with the Prison Service; and calls on the Home Secretary to ensure that the Prison Service enters into a meaningful dialogue with the unions.
Commemorating the 20th Anniversary of the Year Long 1984/85 Strike
04 March 2004
That this House commemorates the 20th Anniversary of the year long 1984/85 miners' strike that began on the 8th March 1084 when the NUM Executive Committee authorised area strikes; notes that it was in response to British Coal's decision to cut production and make 20,000 miners redundant after rejecting the union's proposed Technology Agreement to manage technological change in the Industry; is aware that tens of thousands of decent men and women struggled for a year in an endeavour to save their jobs and communities before eventually returning to work without an agreement; and observes that over the next decade the Tory Government butchered the Coal Industry, cutting 150,00 mining jobs and causing inestimable economic and social dislocation of the mining communities.
Request to examine solicitors' fee structure in mining health claims (No. 5)
12 February 2004
That this House condemns the activities of so-called claims handling firms such as Union and General Services Limited who solicit claims from former miners and their families and then sell them on to solicitors; notes that a deduction for the fee payable to the handling firm is then made prior to the solicitor releasing the compensation payment; believes that this practice is both ethically and morally wrong because the service is provided for the solicitor and it is they who should pay the fee from the legal costs they receive from the Department of Trade & Industry; requests that all solicitors like Frank Allen Pennington who use claims handlers reimburse clients the fee deducted from their compensation; observes that claims handlers are outside the scope of the Law Society; and calls on the Solicitor-General to speedily implement regulations to control their activities.
Request to examine solicitors' fee structure in mining health claims (No. 4)
26 January 2004
That this House welcomes the policy statement issued by the Law Society to members following concerns raised about solicitors charging clients in addition to the costs paid by the Department of Trade & Industry and is pleased they have concluded that a firm should be required to refund a client in the absence of any justification of an additional charge and where there is evidence of taking an unfair advantage of the client by overcharging there may be a finding of misconduct; and calls on all those firms of solicitors who have made additional charges either by way of a success fee or an increased hourly rate to refund their clients immediately.
Denial of UCATT access to construction sites
09 December 2003
That this House is concerned to learn that the Union of Construction Allied and Trades and Technicians (UCATT) is experiencing difficulties in gaining access to major construction sites across the country; notes that some companies such as Boughues appear to be deliberately challenging the union on this front, creating worrying implications for the health, safety and welfare of union members; and calls on Her Majesty's Government to take steps to make offending companies aware of the recommendations of the Construction Summit in 2001 and of their duty to work in partnership with the unions in the industry to improve standards and reduce accidents.
Request to examine solicitors' fee structure in mining health claims No. 2
December 2003
That this House welcomes the initiative taken by the DTI in writing to all solicitors dealing with coal health claims for Vibration White Finger (VWF) and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) under cover of the Handling Agreement asking that they adhere to the fee structure agreed by both sides and reimburse claimants any extra charge that they have levied or face the possibility of being removed form the Department's list of approved solicitors.
Request to examine solicitors' fee structure in mining health claims
26 November 2003
That this House is appalled to learn of the widespread deceitful practice operated by some firms of solicitors dealing with Chronic Pulmonary Disease and Vibration White Finger compensation claims for former miners and their families whereby deductions are taken from the interim and final settlement payments, some amounting to as much as £8,000 despite the fact that all the legal costs are met by the Department of Trade & Industry under the terms of the handling agreement negotiated by solicitors representing both sides; and calls on the Law Society of England and Wales and the Law Society of Scotland to advise members that the dishonest practice is undermining their professional reputation and any such deductions made must be repaid in full.
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