Early day motion tabled by primary sponsor Alan Meale (Labour), on Tuesday, 15 January 2013, in the House of Commons. It is signed by 89 members in total.

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RECOGNITION OF MARY SEACOLE

That this House is aware of history which records the many heroic and compassionate acts carried out unselfishly by renowned war nursing heroine Mary Seacole for innumerable wounded soldiers injured on the Crimean War's bloody battlefields; notes her efforts have rightly become part of the nation's schools educational curriculum with further recognition of her contribution shortly to be revealed by the unveiling of a large bronze statue in her memory to be erected in the grounds of St Thomas' Hospital facing the Houses of Parliament; is therefore greatly alarmed by reports that the Secretary of State for Education has announced plans to overhaul the core history content taught to our nation's schoolchildren which won't include the story of her exploits on behalf of others; reminds the Minister that at the age of 50 years she paid her own way to the front to help establish a centre to administer the sick and tended to the wounded on the battlefield throughout the war much of the time under bombardment, brave and caring acts which led to her being little rewarded for all of her distinguished service in the field as she returned to Britain impoverished and had to declare bankruptcy; and believes the nation and its children are best served by being reminded of such unselfishness and hopes the Secretary of State will desist in his attempt to undermine her memory.

Amendments

The Early day motion has received an amendment.

RECOGNITION OF MARY SEACOLE (919A1)

The Early day motion has received an amendment sponsored by Baroness Teather (primary, Liberal Democrat) and tabled on Thursday, 7 February 2013. It has been signed by 2 members in total.

leave out from`bankruptcy;' to end and add, `and calls on the Secretary of State to ensure that the children in British schools continue to be taught about all the different people who have shaped the nation, including Mary Seacole.'.

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Secondary information

Type

Early day motion

Reference

919 

919A1 

Session

2012-13

Other sponsors

Diane Abbott

Peter Bottomley

Kelvin Hopkins

Jim Shannon

Lady Hermon

Subjects

Health professions Ethnic groups

Link

View this Early day motion on www.parliament.uk