Scottish Independence

Menzies Campbell has signed EDM1071. Motion reads: "That this House celebrates the close and deep connections between the north of England and Scotland; notes the shared values of community, decency and fairness; believes that people throughout Northern Ireland, Wales and England will be heartbroken if Scotland were to choose to leave the United Kingdom and that this sense of deep sadness would be felt especially strongly across the north of England; and commits itself to fully respecting the will of the Scottish people in the coming referendum, but wishes to record its strong desire that Scotland remains a central and vital part of the United Kingdom."
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Guardian Campaign To End Female Genital Mutilation

Menzies Campbell has signed EDM1059. Motion reads: "That this House notes that an estimated 660,000 women in the UK have suffered from female genital mutilation (FGM); further notes that an additional 20,000 British girls are thought to be at risk of being cut every year despite previous Government promises to stop FGM; commends the work of 17 year old student Fahma Mohamed, alongside The Guardian newspaper, to put a stop to this inhumane and unnecessary practice; further notes that Fahma's change.org petition calling on the Department for Education (DfE) to teach about FGM in schools has already collected over 22,310 signatories; welcomes the announcement on 6 February 2014 by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for International Development and the Minister of State for the Home Office of a package of measures designed to combat this harmful practice nationally and internationally; calls on the Government, and in particular the DfE to do everything in its power to support the work of Fahma and countless others who are fighting to end the culture of secrecy and fear around the practice; and further calls for swift action on the issue before the 'cutting season' begins once more during the 2014 school summer holidays."
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Pension Entitlement For Military Widows And Widowers

Menzies Campbell has signed EDM1157. Motion reads: "That this House expresses sympathy with the military widows and widowers forced to surrender their 1975 Armed Forces Pension Scheme entitlement when deciding to marry or cohabit with a new partner; acknowledges the enormous sacrifices made by military spouses on behalf of the UK, often raising a family single-handedly while a loved one serves overseas; believes it is cruel and unfair to make those who become widows and widowers to make a choice between having a new relationship and financial security; notes that the 2005 Armed Forces Pension Scheme does not require widows and widowers to sacrifice their entitlement if they find a new partner; further believes that the savings to the taxpayer made by widows and widowers sacrificing their pension entitlement is minimal and that in 2013 there were only 10 1975 Armed Forces Pension Scheme 75 widows payments voluntarily surrendered at an annual saving of "
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Tayforth Universities Officer Training Corps

Menzies Campbell has signed EDM1191. Motion reads: "That this House congratulates Tayforth Universities Officer Training Corps (UOTC) for winning Exercise Northern Lights at Barry Buddon Training Camp near Aberdeen; commends them for demonstrating outstanding ability in the fields of military skills, sports and piping; draws attention to the excellent work done by UOTC throughout the country in providing a diverse range of skills training; and wishes Tayforth UOTC and their colleagues across the UK well in continuing their excellent work far into the future."
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European Council and Nuclear Security Summit | Oral Answers to Questions – Prime Minister | Commons debates

Does my right hon. Friend agree that an unresolved question is whether the annexation of Crimea was opportunistic or part of a wider strategy? Against the possibility of the latter, is it not now time to reaffirm the transatlantic alliance, enhance defence and political co-operation in Europe and strengthen the capabilities of NATO?

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