That this House notes that Verita were responsible for centrally editing the reports from individual hospitals as part of the Savile Inquiry; further notes that Verita state on their website that We are renowned for our thoroughness and commitment to producing evidence-based reports that can withstand rigorous challenge; recognises that this is a commitment to a public relations objective rather than an objective of getting to the truth; further notes that there are concerns that Verita has been involved in at least one cover up previously; and believes, therefore, that the details of and edits made by Verita to individual hospital inquiry reports should be made public.

That this House notes that Verita were responsible for centrally editing the reports from individual hospitals as part of the Savile Inquiry; further notes that Verita state on their website that We are renowned for our thoroughness and commitment to producing evidence-based reports that can withstand rigorous challenge; recognises that...

That this House notes the growth in the use of drones and increase in permits granted by 80 per cent in 2014; is concerned that the use of drones in national airspace will cause an accident potentially with serious harm to one or more people or damage to property; believes that anyone operating a drone should assure that they have adequate insurance to cover harm to third parties and be careful about infringing other people's privacy; invites the Government to consider whether no-fly zones in high-risk areas should be increased and enforced by geo-fencing technology as advised by the British Association of Airline Pilots; calls on the Government to review the existing light-touch-regulation of small drones under 20kg and consider increasing the responsibilities of the Civil Aviation Authority to maintain a register of drones in operation which must include details of (i) the legal entities operating each drone, (ii) individual identifiers for each drone, (iii) confirmation that third party insurance has been obtained and (iv) confirming that they are not being used to infringe other people's privacy; and further calls on the Government to promote informed and open debate outside the Cross Department Remotely-Piloted Aircraft Systems Working Group on this issue forthwith.

That this House notes the growth in the use of drones and increase in permits granted by 80 per cent in 2014; is concerned that the use of drones in national airspace will cause an accident potentially with serious harm to one or more people or damage to property; believes...

That this House notes that appeals can be made in respect of parking on private land to an independent body; further notes, however, that certain parking organisations will not give discounts for early payment to people who appeal to the Parking on Private Land Appeals (POPLA); and believes that this is unjust and that the clock that calculates whether or not a payment has been made early should start ticking when POPLA concludes that a parking charge is due.

That this House notes that appeals can be made in respect of parking on private land to an independent body; further notes, however, that certain parking organisations will not give discounts for early payment to people who appeal to the Parking on Private Land Appeals (POPLA); and believes that this...

That this House notes with great concern the plans to severely cut the funding available to the Library of Birmingham, which would result in the loss of more than half of the library's staff and many of its services, including the loss of archive and research facilities; observes that Birmingham City Council's funding from central Government has been cut heavily over the course of the current Government, and that poorer cities such as Birmingham have received a disproportionately heavy share of spending cuts; condemns the decision to cut Birmingham's funding by an amount equivalent to £147 per household this year, compared to the national average of just £45; does not see why the citizens of Birmingham should have their library services destroyed in an attempt to cut a deficit that was caused by paying for the gambling debts of bankers, not by supporting essential cultural services for UK citizens; encourages the Government to take serious and concerted action to reclaim for the Exchequer the many billions of public funds which are currently lost to corporate tax avoidance; strongly supports the attempt to find alternate ways to keep the library open and maintain it as a centre of excellence, and wishes this campaign every success; believes that the whole of the UK would be the poorer without its world-class libraries, which play a vital role in education and research; and calls on the Government to urgently reconsider its ongoing slashing of local government funding.

That this House notes with great concern the plans to severely cut the funding available to the Library of Birmingham, which would result in the loss of more than half of the library's staff and many of its services, including the loss of archive and research facilities; observes that Birmingham...

That this House regrets that the leader of the Bangladesh Opposition, Begum Khaleda Zia, has now been interned in her political office by armed police, that the television station ETV has been closed by the Bangladesh government, that there was an attack on the National Press Club, and that live ammunition has been fired at opposition demonstrations; believes that these actions are not the actions of a democratic government, but instead a government aiming to suppress any opposition; calls for the Bangladeshi government to enter into discussions with opposition groups towards having a further election on a free and fair basis; and calls for the UK Government to use its influence to ensure that Bangladesh moves back towards a society based upon democracy and the rule of law.

That this House regrets that the leader of the Bangladesh Opposition, Begum Khaleda Zia, has now been interned in her political office by armed police, that the television station ETV has been closed by the Bangladesh government, that there was an attack on the National Press Club, and that live...

That this House welcomes the production of Guidance for Head Teachers on the way in which decisions should be made about term time absence requests; believes that the u-turn from the Government in accepting the merits of having such guidance is also to be welcomed; notes, however, the excessive overcrowding that is now happening at certain holiday sites in the UK and the hazards that arise at these places for young children; further believes that policy decisions should be evidence-driven and notes the Government evidence that indicates that a small amount of absence for primary school children for holidays slightly improves their achievement level at Key Stage 2; further believes that further progress is needed in staggering holiday periods to avoid conflict; calls for Ofsted not to place unreasonable pressures on schools to refuse requests for holiday absence; believes that parents are primarily responsible for the care of children and the state should avoid intervening without research evidence to just this; and further calls for the focus on absence to shift from ordinary families to those cases of persistent absence where there is research evidence that the absence is causing harm to the child's education.

That this House welcomes the production of Guidance for Head Teachers on the way in which decisions should be made about term time absence requests; believes that the u-turn from the Government in accepting the merits of having such guidance is also to be welcomed; notes, however, the excessive overcrowding...

That this House notes the debate about non-violent extremism; further notes that Ofsted has taken a more assertive attitude in respect of promoting a narrow agenda which is intolerant of socially conservative views since that debate started; believes that there are important general principles such as non-discrimination that should be promoted, but recognises that there are different views on matters relating to sexual activity held by different people in society; additionally recognises that there is a conflict between the state encouraging children under the age of 16 to be sexually active and attempting to prevent child sexual exploitation; further believes that it is wrong to equate social conservatism with extremism; and calls for the Government to review with Ofsted, as part of a public debate, how we can develop a more tolerant approach which is more accepting of the variety of views that are held about such issues.

That this House notes the debate about non-violent extremism; further notes that Ofsted has taken a more assertive attitude in respect of promoting a narrow agenda which is intolerant of socially conservative views since that debate started; believes that there are important general principles such as non-discrimination that should be...

That this House notes the nature of the threat from the Ebola virus; agrees that the virus needs to be defeated in West Africa to protect the world; recognises that transmission of the Ebola virus from person-to-person requires close contact; further notes, however, that the limited screening process in the three countries where it is not under control, Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia, has already failed in one instance, as would be likely to happen; further notes that the additional screening process being introduced by the Government would not have picked up that case; further recognises that the failure of control in Dallas demonstrates the difficulties and that this requires a UK response; believes that the risk from Ebola is so great that it warrants an element of overreaction in order to pick up undetected cases as quickly as possible and that monitoring on a daily basis of all cases at-risk rather than just those who are deemed to be higher risk would be worthwhile both for the potentially infected people and the rest of society; and calls on the Government to implement this and all other practical mechanisms to ensure that any case of infection is dealt with as quickly as is possible.

That this House notes the nature of the threat from the Ebola virus; agrees that the virus needs to be defeated in West Africa to protect the world; recognises that transmission of the Ebola virus from person-to-person requires close contact; further notes, however, that the limited screening process in the...

That this House notes the recent not guilty finding in the prosecution for non-payment of a non-attendance fine of Kerry Capper by Birmingham City Council, defended by Glaisyers solicitors, and the withdrawal of the prosecution of the Haymore family by Essex County Council, defended by Liberty's legal department; further notes that local authorities have indicated in penalty notices that such fines can only by withdrawn on the basis of error; further notes, however, notwithstanding oral advice from local authorities that it is a strict liability offence, that it is possible to defend such prosecutions and that local authorities are not like The Borg in that resistance is not futile; recognises hence that the penalty notices are misleading in failing to indicate that there are valid defences to such prosecutions; further notes that were such a penalty notice to be issued by a solicitor, it could be subject to regulatory action for being misleading in implying that resistance is futile; future notes that large numbers of such fines have been issued and that their issuance is potentially unlawful; and calls for local authorities to review the form of their penalty notices in light of the two cases mentioned, with a view to refunding the fines paid if the penalty notices are found to be unlawful.

That this House notes the recent not guilty finding in the prosecution for non-payment of a non-attendance fine of Kerry Capper by Birmingham City Council, defended by Glaisyers solicitors, and the withdrawal of the prosecution of the Haymore family by Essex County Council, defended by Liberty's legal department; further notes...

That this House, being conscious of the numerous cases of previously concealed child abuse in which individuals have been able to use their status as public figures to deter victims and to prevent or disrupt investigations of their crimes, and being conscious that in some cases abusers, and those who have concealed abuse, have been able to use their positions in public office and the institutions of the state such as Parliament and Government to shield them and their wrongdoing from proper, lawful scrutiny, recognises that the dangers of such cover-ups occurring are even greater in small, quasi-self-governing communities than at national level, where, even though checks and balances are more extensive, child abuse and cover-ups by the well-connected have still occurred; notes that a local public inquiry in Jersey into child abuse, the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry, has not gained the confidence of all victims and witnesses; and calls on the relevant UK authorities, the Secretary of State for Justice, the Crown and the Privy Council, in exercise of their responsibilities and powers to ensure good governance, the rule of law and proper administration of justice in the Crown Dependencies, to empower the overarching UK inquiry into child abuse to include the Crown Dependencies.

That this House, being conscious of the numerous cases of previously concealed child abuse in which individuals have been able to use their status as public figures to deter victims and to prevent or disrupt investigations of their crimes, and being conscious that in some cases abusers, and those who...

That this House notes that in recent years the availability of electrically-powered wheelchairs has become greater; further notes that the sensitivity of such vehicles to irregularities in pavement surfaces is greater than those with a human being pushing them; further notes that this frequently gives rise to situations in which the wheelchair user involuntarily leaves the wheelchair, including the hon. Member for Birmingham, Yardley, potentially causing material harm to the user; and calls on the Government and local authorities to review standards in respect of pavement surfaces and the slope of footway crossings to reduce the hazard that arises from such difficulties.

That this House notes that in recent years the availability of electrically-powered wheelchairs has become greater; further notes that the sensitivity of such vehicles to irregularities in pavement surfaces is greater than those with a human being pushing them; further notes that this frequently gives rise to situations in which...

That this House acknowledges the Department for Education's desire to tackle persistent absenteeism; notes that it removed maintained schools' discretionary right to grant leave during term time for family holidays and restricted other leave to exceptional circumstances through the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2013; further notes that in 2012-13 persistent absentees had less authorised absence for family holidays (1.8 per cent of total absences) than other pupils (8.5 per cent); further notes that no evidence was gathered as to the reason why parents took holiday in term time and that no assessment of the impact of the statutory instrument (SI) was undertaken; further notes that campaign group, Parents Want a Say, has reported an impact on children with disabilities, families dealing with bereavement and trauma, parents in professions with restricted holidays as diverse as police, paramedics, bus drivers, farmers, campsite owners, carers and families with low incomes as well as business staffing requirements and the tourism industry; further notes that there is no right of appeal on the issue of a fine for unauthorised absence and that parents refusing to pay the fine are being taken to court with little hope of the individual circumstances of their case being considered; further notes that this is having a detrimental impact on the relationship between parents and schools; further notes that there is widespread public concern about the level of government interference in family life; considers it likely that blanket bans by local authorities and/or schools are against public authorities' obligations under the Human Rights legislation; and calls on the Government to repeal the SI.

That this House acknowledges the Department for Education's desire to tackle persistent absenteeism; notes that it removed maintained schools' discretionary right to grant leave during term time for family holidays and restricted other leave to exceptional circumstances through the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2013; further notes that in...

That this House notes that Cornwall Council was sent a draft parliamentary motion critical of the Council and its Chief Executive Andrew Kerr in relation to the treatment of a woman with learning disabilities; further notes that after receiving the draft the Council, apparently in revenge, commenced a baseless investigation into the father of the woman for sexual abuse despite knowing he had never been alone with her; further notes that the investigation has now been dropped; deplores the suffering caused to the family by the council officer responsible, Dr Brickchand Ramruttun; reminds Cornwall Council of the need to respect the proceedings of Parliament; and calls for the Care Quality Commission to investigate urgently the behaviour of the authority in respect of this case.

That this House notes that Cornwall Council was sent a draft parliamentary motion critical of the Council and its Chief Executive Andrew Kerr in relation to the treatment of a woman with learning disabilities; further notes that after receiving the draft the Council, apparently in revenge, commenced a baseless investigation...

That this House notes the Government's suggestion of legislation to criminalise emotional abuse; further notes that the vast majority of emotional abuse cited in care proceedings relates to domestic violence between the parents; accepts that this does at times cause emotional trauma for children; further notes, however, that domestic violence is already criminal; further notes that it is already the case that some rape victims do have their children removed from them as a result of the rape; recognises that criminalising the emotional abuse that results from domestic violence would at times also criminalise the victims; and calls on the Government to be very careful not to criminalise the victim of domestic abuse if it decides to continue with proposals to criminalise emotional abuse.

That this House notes the Government's suggestion of legislation to criminalise emotional abuse; further notes that the vast majority of emotional abuse cited in care proceedings relates to domestic violence between the parents; accepts that this does at times cause emotional trauma for children; further notes, however, that domestic violence...

That this House notes that a group of parents, in conjunction with the association of McKenzie Friends, went from the UK to petition the European Parliament on 19 March 2014 about miscarriages of justice in the family courts in England and Wales; further notes that this included José and Carla Pedro, a Portuguese family living in Grantham, who were arrested on return; further notes that they saw this as an action to punish them for petitioning the European Parliament; further notes that a second petitioner Emyr Wyn Jones was prevented from having contact with his children because Carmarthenshire Council deliberately arranged a meeting to discuss contact at a time that they knew conflicted with his attendance at the European Parliament and had previously punished him by curtailing contact when he told his children he was going to the European Parliament; further notes that Article 5 of the 1688 Bill of Rights confirms the right of petition; and recognises that this should be read through to the European Parliament and is concerned that authorities in the UK appear to be taking actions to prevent people from complaining about the way the authorities are acting.

That this House notes that a group of parents, in conjunction with the association of McKenzie Friends, went from the UK to petition the European Parliament on 19 March 2014 about miscarriages of justice in the family courts in England and Wales; further notes that this included José and Carla...

That this House notes and is grateful for the sterling work undertaken by the Regular Army in dealing with the consequences of the recent floods in the UK; further notes the worsening situation in Ukraine; questions whether the Government's strategy of reducing the regular armed forces is the right strategy; and calls for a cessation of the disbandment of traditional battalions such as the Fusiliers.

That this House notes and is grateful for the sterling work undertaken by the Regular Army in dealing with the consequences of the recent floods in the UK; further notes the worsening situation in Ukraine; questions whether the Government's strategy of reducing the regular armed forces is the right strategy;...

That this House notes that HM Revenue and Customs states that it does not hold information as to the amount of tax credits paid to people by nationality; recognises that this means that the Government does not have the information to identify whether loopholes in the rules relating to self-employment and tax credits are being abused to circumvent the rules relating to habitual residency; further notes that there is considerable anecdotal evidence that essentially spurious self-employment schemes are being established by recent migrants in order to qualify for in-work benefits which would not be available were habitual residency rules to apply; believes that the Government should aim to keep sufficient information to manage the tax and benefits system; and calls for the Government to modify the databases to ensure this information is recorded in the future.

That this House notes that HM Revenue and Customs states that it does not hold information as to the amount of tax credits paid to people by nationality; recognises that this means that the Government does not have the information to identify whether loopholes in the rules relating to self-employment...

That this House notes that at times unscrupulous employers who fail to pay wages or pay people cash-in-hand will have jobs advertised on the Government website Universal Jobmatch; recognises that if employers are subject to valid complaints, their advertisements will be withdrawn; further recognises, however, that this does not prevent the same employer advertising again; further notes that jobcentres have refused to be concerned about payments made cash-in-hand; believes that jobcentres should be concerned to ensure that proper tax payments are made by employers; and further believes that an employer that has been demonstrated to be unscrupulous should be prevented from adding new advertisements to Universal Jobmatch until any outstanding issues of concern are resolved.

That this House notes that at times unscrupulous employers who fail to pay wages or pay people cash-in-hand will have jobs advertised on the Government website Universal Jobmatch; recognises that if employers are subject to valid complaints, their advertisements will be withdrawn; further recognises, however, that this does not prevent...

That this House notes that prosecutions for manslaughter and murder as a result of a child death in 2011 were 16 and in 2012 were 19, but in 2013 were 34; further notes that this would imply an increase in the number of child deaths from child abuse and neglect; further notes that Ofsted hold records of significant incident notifications as a result of deaths of children suspected to have occurred as a result of child abuse and neglect and that Ofsted did until 2012 provide lists of those notifications to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Yardley for his research and analysis; further notes, however, that Ofsted are now refusing to provide that information either through freedom of information or through a parliamentary question; further notes the thesis of the hon. Member for Birmingham, Yardley that the wrong children are taken into care as a consequence of the concentration on removing young babies from their mothers and the difficulty of assessing risk at birth given that risk factors change later in life; further notes that in 2010 1,400 babies under one month were taken into care, but in 2013 that figure was 2,013, a 45 per cent increase; recognises that the statistics are aligned with the thesis that more children are dying as a result of child abuse and neglect as a consequence of the concentration on younger children; and believes that this issue should be reviewed urgently.

That this House notes that prosecutions for manslaughter and murder as a result of a child death in 2011 were 16 and in 2012 were 19, but in 2013 were 34; further notes that this would imply an increase in the number of child deaths from child abuse and neglect;...

That this House notes the historic complacency of successive governments about electoral fraud other than in Northern Ireland; recognises that progress has been made to deal with postal vote fraud, but agrees with the Electoral Commission that personation remains a traceless crime outside Northern Ireland; welcomes the Electoral Commission's suggestion that a system of voter verification is needed; and calls for action to be taken to improve the integrity of the electoral system in England, Scotland and Wales.

That this House notes the historic complacency of successive governments about electoral fraud other than in Northern Ireland; recognises that progress has been made to deal with postal vote fraud, but agrees with the Electoral Commission that personation remains a traceless crime outside Northern Ireland; welcomes the Electoral Commission's suggestion...