Friends of the Earth: Press Release: WOMEN'S SAFETY: WARM HOMES Government U-Turn Threatens Key Bills

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WOMEN'S SAFETY: WARM HOMES Government U-Turn Threatens Key Bills

16 Jun 1998

Both Private Members Bills passed their Second Readings unanimously. But they have been blocked on four separate occasions by maverick Tory MP Eric Forth. Now, the Liberal Democrats have used a scarce Supply Day (Thursday 25th June) to move a motion allowing an extended sitting on Friday 3rd July to ensure the passage of both Bills. But the Labour whips have tabled a wrecking amendment to the Lib Dem motion. This will allow Mr Forth to continue his blocking tactics.

News of the Labour whips' action will embarrass Prime Minister Tony Blair, who has written to the Suzy Lamplugh Trust expressing his “concern and disappointment” at Mr Forth's actions (copy of letter attached). Friends of the Earth and the Trust, who have supported the two Bills, are demanding that Mr Blair overrules the whips and allows both Bills a fair chance to become law.

FOE Parliamentary Officer Ron Bailey said today:
“This typical act of unthinking tribalism by the Labour whips threatens to cause the Government severe political embarrassment. Here are two Bills supported by almost every MP in the House. One will make women who use minicabs more safe. The other will help to promote warmer and more efficient homes. Labour claims to support both Bills. Yet the whips are plotting to allow Eric Forth to block both. The Prime Minister must intervene at once to see that justice is done.”

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1. The Private Hire Vehicles (London) Bill was introduced by Sir George Young MP(Conservative). It will regulate the minicab trade. In 1997, 66 serious sexual assaults in minicabs, or by those posing as minicab drivers, were reported to the Metropolitan Police. The police believe these figures to understate the true level of such crimes
2. The Energy Efficiency Bill was introduced by John Burnett MP (Lib Dem). It will require pre-mortgage surveys to include an assessment of the energy efficiency of homes. Energy efficiency measures could save the average household as much as £200 a year in fuel bills.

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Media team