Decisions of the Petitions Committee Tuesday 11 October 2016

• Role of the Committee
• Working methods of the Committee
• Previous decisions of the Committee
• Petitions Committee

The Committee considered all e-petitions which had reached over 100,000 signatures, and those over 10,000 signatures which had received a government response, by Friday 7 October 2016.

Petitions which met these criteria after this date will be considered at the Committee's next meeting on Tuesday 18 October 2016.

Petitions with 100,000 signatures previously considered by the Committee

• Debate in the Local Government Pension Scheme Investment Regulations

Following the Committee's decision at its last meeting to schedule a debate on this petition, Ian Blackford MP, a member of the Committee, agreed to lead the debate on Monday 24 October 2016 on the motion "That this House has considered e-petition 125475 relating to the Local Government Pension Scheme."

• Ban driven grouse shooting
• Protect grouse moors and grouse shooting

Following the Committee's decision at its last meeting to schedule a debate on this petition, Steve Double MP, a member of the Committee, agreed to lead the debate on Monday 31 October 2016 on the motion "That this House has considered e-petitions 125003 and 164851 relating to driven grouse shooting." 

Petitions with over 10,000 signatures which received a government response

• Stop United Lincs Hospitals Trust from downgrading Boston Pilgrim hospital

The Committee noted the Government's response.

• We require any BRexit deal preserves UK access to EU collaborative R&D programs

The Committee noted the Government's response. The Committee agreed to write to the Science and Technology Committee to draw their attention to the petition, because of its ongoing inquiry into "Leaving the EU: implications and opportunities for science and research".

• Change the law on the dangerous dog act 1991 Stop putting healthy dogs down

The Committee noted the Government's response.

• End the contracts with Atos, Capita and maximus as they are not fit for purpose

The Committee noted the Government's response.

• Make Everolimus available in England for TSC-related Brain (SEGA) tumours

The Committee noted the Government's response.

• Make British Sign Language part of the curriculum

The Committee noted the Government's response.

• Compulsory teaching of Politics and International relations at GCSE level

The Committee noted the Government's response.

• Maintain the Erasmus scheme despite Britain's exit from the European Union

The Committee noted the Government's response. The Committee also agreed to write to the Education Select Committee about this petition, because of its ongoing inquiry into "The impact of exiting the European Union on higher education".

• End the badger cull instead of expanding to new areas

The Committee noted the Government's response.

• All European Union flags, emblems and logos be removed from all public buildings

The Committee noted the Government's response.

• Suspend Natural England licence to kill buzzards

The Committee noted the Government's response.

• Strengthen sentencing for criminal drivers who kill and maim innocent people

The Committee noted the Government's response. The Committee also agreed to write to the Ministry of Justice to ask to be informed when their consultation on this issue opens. The Committee will then inform petitioners.

• Make it law so that the NHS will always be in public hands

The Committee noted the Government's response.

• Make more awareness and help available for young men dealing with mental health

The Committee noted the Government's response. The Committee agreed to write to the Health Committee, which is conducting an inquiry into suicide prevention, to draw their attention to this petition.

• Stop the boundary changes

The Committee noted the Government's response. The Committee also agreed to write to petitioners to explain that the proposals on boundary changes will be put before Parliament in due course, and that a private Member's bill on this subject will be debated on 18 November 2016.

• Switch to the Renewable Plan B for Hinkley C – fit for the 21st Century

The Committee noted the Government's response.

• Public review into the decision to close the Children's Heart Unit Leicester

The Committee noted the Government's response.

• Increase funding rate for 3-4 year olds needing to provide pensions for staff

The Committee noted the Government's response.

• Give parents who work full time, free childcare

The Committee noted the Government's response.

• Prevent the closure of the Maternity Unit at Banbury Horton General Hospital

The Committee noted the Government's response.

• Begin a public inquiry into the performance of the Northbound Dartford Crossing

The Committee noted the Government's response. The Committee agreed to contact petitioners to inform them about a debate on this issue in Westminster Hall on 13 January 2016.

• Allow loud call for prayer (Adhan) in UK mosques

The Committee noted the Government's response.

• Increase the penalty for people who steal dogs

The Committee noted the Government's response. The Committee also agreed to contact petitioners to inform them about a debate on dog theft and sentencing in the House of Commons on 2 March 2016.

Image: Parliamentary copyright