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MPs detail plans for new laws
Houses of Parliament

The 20 MPs given the chance to introduce their own laws have been detailing the legislation they would like to see on the statute book.

Wednesday was the deadline for the MPs who topped the private members' bill ballot to detail the changes they aim to push forward.

However, with a general election expected to be called for May this year it is extremely unlikely there will be time for any of the bills to complete the process of parliamentary ratification.

Topping the ballot was Conservative frontbencher Patrick Mercer, who plans to introduce a law to give householders greater legal protection if they take action against burglars.

Fellow Tory Nigel Evans plans to introduce a "three strikes and your out" law for people found guilty of selling class A drugs.

It would mean a mandatory seven year jail sentence if a dealer is caught selling class A drugs for the third time, and any adult convicted of selling class A drugs for a minor for profit will receive a custodial sentence.

"This Bill will be tough on pushers of drugs and will help bring an end to the spiral of misery that their trade causes," said Evans.

"Our children must be protected in legislation from such evil. I look forward to presenting this Bill to parliament and urge the government to support it."

In third position in the ballot, Labour MP Stephen Hepburn aims to impose new duties on company directors in relation to health and safety.

His law would give powers to the Health and Safety Commission to issue and approve codes of practice and require large companies to appoint a health and safety information director.

Cardiff MP Julie Morgan is backing a law that would permit the Welsh assembly to ban smoking in public places, if it voted to do so.

Her plan has won the backing of health experts, with the British Heart Foundation saying the bill would "provide the quickest route towards protecting the health of the Welsh public".

Scottish nationalist Michael Weir is planning to make the case for increasing the proportion of heating derived from renewable sources.

And Liberal Democrat MP Andrew Stunell aims to overhaul the laws on masts for mobile telephones.

Following the Iraq war, Labour MP Neil Gerrard is to introduce a bill requiring parliamentary approval before a government can commit British troops to war.

And fellow MP Peter Bradley aims to overhaul the press complaints system.

His bill would establish a right of reply to correct factual inaccuracies in the press "in specified circumstances".

It would also make it an offence not to comply with a decision of the new Press Standards Board.

Published: Wed, 12 Jan 2005 13:16:30 GMT+00

With a general election expected to be called for May this year it is extremely unlikely there will be time for any of the bills to complete the process of parliamentary ratification.

Private Members' Bills

  • Criminal Law (Amendment) (Householder Protection) Bill - Patrick Mercer

  • Drugs (Sentencing And Commission Of Inquiry) Bill - Nigel Evans

  • Health And Safety (Directors' Duties) Bill - Stephen Hepburn

  • Smoking In Public Places (Wales) Bill - Julie Morgan

  • Stamp Duty (Lower Rate For Energy Efficiency Measures) Bill - Kevin Barron

  • Mobile Telephones (Re-Programming) Bill - Kevan Jones

  • Sexual Offences Act 2003 (Amendment) Bill - Sir Paul Beresford

  • Renewable Heat Bill - Michael Weir

  • Employment Tribunals (Representation And Assistance In Discrimination Proceedings) Bill - Marsha Singh

  • Trespassers On Land (Liability For Damage And Eviction) Bill - Gerald Howarth

  • Telecommunications Masts (Planning Control) Bill - Andrew Stunell

  • Armed Forces (Parliamentary Approval For Participation In Armed Conflict) Bill - Neil Gerrard

  • Human Tissue Act 2004 (Amendment) Bill - Stephen Pound

  • Council Tax Benefit (Entitlement Information) Bill - Tony Baldry

  • Humber Bridge Bill - Ian Cawsey

  • Local Services And Facilities Bill - Roger Williams

  • Succession To The Crown (No. 2) Bill - Ann Taylor

  • School Meals And Nutrition Bill - Geraint Davies

  • Estate Agents (Independent Redress Scheme) Bill - Alan Williams

  • Right Of Reply And Press Standards Bill - Peter Bradley