Early Day Motions

CONDUCT OF THE HONOURABLE MEMBER FOR DOVER AND HERALD OF FREE ENTERPRISE

EDM (Early Day Motion) 522: tabled on 26 February 1996

Tabled in the 1995-96 session.

This motion has been signed by 134 Members. It has received 1 amendment.

As this motion is using historical data, we may not have the record of the original ordering, in which case signatories are listed alphabetically.

Amendment to this motion

There has been an amendment submitted to this motion.

View details of the amendment

Motion text

That this House deplores the comments made by the honourable Member for Dover during a House of Commons debate on Ferry Safety on 21st February in which he said, 'Alcoholism caused the 'Herald of Free Enterprise' to go down. People did not do their jobs because they were drunk'; notes that his comments are in contradiction to those made to the House by the then Secretary of State for Transport on 24th July 1987 and the detailed report by Mr Justice Sheen, both of whom failed to mention alcoholism as a cause of the 'Herald of Free Enterprise' tragedy; notes that the Sheen Report made severe criticisms of the management of Townsend Car Ferries Ltd., discounting the honourable Member for Dover's theory that 'extreme left wing trade unionists' were in some way responsible for the disaster; further notes that 6th March 1996 is the ninth anniversary of the disaster, which took place in 1987 (not 1986 as the honourable Member stated); hopes he will make an unreserved and full apology to the bereaved relatives of the victims and to those who survived the disaster; deplores the honourable Member for Dover's appalling and inaccurate attempts to rewrite history; and looks forward to his imminent replacement as a Member of this House by an honourable Member prepared to pay proper respect to those who died, from Dover and elsewhere, in the 'Herald of Free Enterprise' tragedy.

The first 6 Members who have signed to support the motion are the sponsors. The primary sponsor is generally the person who tabled the motion and has responsibility for it. The date shown is when the Member signed the motion.

Jamieson, Mr David
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Plymouth, Devonport
Primary
Abbott, Ms Diane
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Hackney North and Stoke Newington
Ainger, Nick
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Pembroke
Anderson, Janet
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Rossendale and Darwen
Armstrong, Hilary
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
North West Durham
Ashton, Mr Joe
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Bassetlaw

In addition to the sponsors, the following Members have signed to support the motion.

Austin-Walker, John
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Woolwich
Barnes, Mr Harry
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
North East Derbyshire
Battle, John
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Leeds West
Bayley, Hugh
Labour
Signed on 27 February 1996
York
Benn, Mr Tony
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Chesterfield
Bermingham, Mr Gerry
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
St Helens South
Betts, Mr Clive
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Sheffield, Attercliffe
Boateng, Mr Paul
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Brent South
Boyes, Roland
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Houghton and Washington
Bradley, Mr Keith
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Manchester, Withington
Bray, Dr Jeremy
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Motherwell South
Brown, Mr Nicholas
Labour
Signed on 4 March 1996
Newcastle upon Tyne East
Burden, Richard
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Birmingham, Northfield
Caborn, Mr Richard
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Sheffield Central
Campbell, Mrs Anne
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Cambridge
Campbell, Mr Ronnie
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Blyth Valley
Church, Ms Judith
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Dagenham
Clapham, Mr Michael
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Barnsley West and Penistone
Clarke, Mr Eric
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Midlothian
Clwyd, Ann
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Cynon Valley
Coffey, Ann
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Stockport
Cohen, Harry
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Leyton
Connarty, Michael
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Falkirk East
Corbett, Mr Robin
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Birmingham, Erdington
Corbyn, Jeremy
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Islington North
Corston, Jean
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Bristol East
Cousins, Jim
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Newcastle upon Tyne Central
Cummings, John
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Easington
Cunliffe, Mr Lawrence
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Leigh
Davies, Bryan
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Oldham Central and Royton
Davis, Mr Terry
Labour
Signed on 28 February 1996
Birmingham, Hodge Hill
Donohoe, Mr Brian H.
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Cunninghame South
Dowd, Jim
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Lewisham West
Eastham, Ken
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Manchester, Blackley
Evans, John
Labour
Signed on 28 February 1996
St Helens North
Fatchett, Derek
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Leeds Central
Faulds, Andrew
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Warley East
Field, Mr Frank
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Birkenhead
Flynn, Paul
Labour
Signed on 28 February 1996
Newport West
Foulkes, George
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
Fyfe, Mrs Maria
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Glasgow, Maryhill
Galbraith, Mr Sam
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Strathkelvin and Bearsden
Galloway, Mr George
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Glasgow, Hillhead
Gapes, Mike
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Ilford South
Godman, Dr Norman
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Greenock and Port Glasgow
Godsiff, Mr Roger
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Birmingham, Small Heath
Gordon, Mildred
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Bow and Poplar
Graham, Mr Tommy
Labour
Signed on 19 March 1996
Renfrew West and Inverclyde
Griffiths, Nigel
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Edinburgh South
Griffiths, Mr Win
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Bridgend
Gunnell, Mr John
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Morley and Leeds South
Hain, Mr Peter
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Neath
Hall, Mr Mike
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Warrington South
Hanson, Mr David
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Delyn
Hardy, Peter
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Wentworth
Harvey, Nick
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 26 February 1996
North Devon
Hendron, Joe
Social Democratic & Labour Party
Signed on 26 February 1996
Belfast West
Heppell, Mr John
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Nottingham East
Hinchliffe, Mr David
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Wakefield
Hodge, Margaret
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Barking
Hogg, Norman
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Cumbernauld and Kilsyth
Hughes, Robert
Conservative
Signed on 26 February 1996
Harrow West
Hughes, Roy
Labour
Signed on 27 February 1996
Newport East
Hutton, Mr John
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Barrow and Furness
Illsley, Mr Eric
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Barnsley Central
Ingram, Mr Adam
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
East Kilbride
Jackson, Glenda
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Hampstead and Highgate
Jackson, Helen
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Sheffield, Hillsborough
Janner, Greville
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Leicester West
Jones, Mr Jon Owen
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Cardiff Central
Jones, Lynne
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Birmingham, Selly Oak
Jones, Mr Martyn
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Clwyd South West
Jones, Mr Nigel
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 19 March 1996
Cheltenham
Kaufman, Mr Gerald
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Manchester, Gorton
Kennedy, Jane
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Liverpool, Broadgreen
Lewis, Mr Terry
Labour
Signed on 11 March 1996
Worsley
Liddell, Mrs Helen
Labour
Signed on 27 February 1996
Monklands East
Livingstone, Mr Ken
Labour
Signed on 1 March 1996
Brent East
Lloyd, Tony
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Stretford
Llwyd, Mr Elfyn
Plaid Cymru
Signed on 27 February 1996
Meirionnydd Nant Conwy
Madden, Max
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Bradford West
Mahon, Alice
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Halifax
Martlew, Mr Eric
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Carlisle
McAllion, Mr John
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Dundee East
McKelvey, William
Labour
Signed on 27 February 1996
Kilmarnock and Loudoun
McMaster, Gordon
Labour
Signed on 27 February 1996
Paisley South
McNamara, Mr Kevin
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Kingston upon Hull North
McWilliam, Mr John
Labour
Signed on 27 February 1996
Blaydon
Meale, Mr Alan
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Mansfield
Michie, Mr Bill
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Sheffield, Heeley
Morgan, Mr Rhodri
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Cardiff West
Morley, Mr Elliot
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Glanford and Scunthorpe
Morris, Estelle
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Birmingham, Yardley
Murphy, Mr Paul
Labour
Signed on 27 March 1996
Torfaen
O'Hara, Mr Edward
Labour
Signed on 28 February 1996
Knowsley South
Oakes, Gordon
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Halton
Parry, Robert
Labour
Signed on 28 February 1996
Liverpool, Riverside
Pickthall, Mr Colin
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
West Lancashire
Pike, Mr Peter
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Burnley
Pope, Mr Greg
Labour
Signed on 28 February 1996
Hyndburn
Prentice, Bridget
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Lewisham East
Prentice, Mr Gordon
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Pendle
Radice, Mr Giles
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
North Durham
Redmond, Martin
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Don Valley
Reid, John
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Motherwell North
Robinson, Mr Geoffrey
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Coventry North West
Rogers, Mr Allan
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Rhondda
Ross, Mr Ernie
Labour
Signed on 27 February 1996
Dundee West
Sheerman, Mr Barry
Labour
Signed on 4 March 1996
Huddersfield
Simpson, Alan
Labour
Signed on 27 February 1996
Nottingham South
Skinner, Mr Dennis
Labour
Signed on 27 February 1996
Bolsover
Spellar, Mr John
Labour
Signed on 28 February 1996
Warley West
Squire, Rachel
Labour
Signed on 11 March 1996
Dunfermline West
Steinberg, Mr Gerry
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
City of Durham
Stevenson, Mr George
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Stoke-on-Trent South
Stott, Roger
Labour
Signed on 27 February 1996
Wigan
Thompson, Jack
Labour
Signed on 6 March 1996
Wansbeck
Tipping, Paddy
Labour
Signed on 27 February 1996
Sherwood
Touhig, Mr Don
Labour
Signed on 7 March 1996
Islwyn
Trickett, Jon
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Hemsworth
Turner, Mr Dennis
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Wolverhampton South East
Tyler, Mr Paul
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 27 February 1996
North Cornwall
Wareing, Mr Robert N.
Labour
Signed on 27 February 1996
Liverpool, West Derby
Wicks, Malcolm
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Croydon North West
Williams, Dr Alan
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Carmarthen
Wise, Mrs Audrey
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Preston
Wright, Dr Tony
Labour
Signed on 26 February 1996
Cannock and Burntwood

These members had previously signed the motion, but have now withdrawn their support. The date shown is when the Member withdrew their signature from the motion.

Clarke, Mr Tom
Labour
Signature withdrawn on 26 February 1996
Monklands West

After a motion has been tabled, other Members can table amendments to it. Amendments to this motion are shown below.

CONDUCT OF THE HONOURABLE MEMBER FOR DOVER AND HERALD OF FREE ENTERPRISE (Amendment 1)
leave out at from `House' and add `congratulates the honourable Member for Dover for his continued vigorous defence of Dover's ferry industry; notes the extensive support and sympathy that the honourable Member for Dover has given to those who suffered bereavements in the `Herald of Free Enterprise' disaster at religious services and other services in Dover; recognises that at the Coroner's inquest held after the Sheen Report, evidence of alcohol consumption was admitted to by a crew member who on legal advice declined to answer further questions on alcohol because of legal concerns about self-incrimination; supports the immediate ban on alcohol consumption by crew members that was imposed by ferry operators; deplores attempts by Opposition honourable Members to make capital out of a tragedy and to deflect criticism away from the trade unions; and supports the honourable Member for Dover in drawing attention to the many improvements made to ensure that British ferries are amongst the safest in the world.'.
Mr John Townend
Conservative, Bridlington
16
signatures
EDM 522A1: tabled on 28 February 1996