WORLD LEPROSY WEEK

Early day motion 697, tabled 21 January 2002 by Bob Russell (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 58 members.

That this House notes World Leprosy Week from 21st to 27th January; regrets that leprosy is still a major disease in many parts of the world with more than 600,000 new cases found each year; welcomes the fact that over 11 million people have been cured of the disease in the last 15 years since a reliable cure became available; in particular pays tribute to The British Leprosy Relief Association which since it was established in 1924 has fought this dreadful disease; congratulates the charity on its projects in India, Brazil, Bangladesh and Mozambique and for its funding support for other projects in Angola, Madagascar and Malawi; and wishes LEPRA, which has expanded its activities since it moved its headquarters to Colchester in 1974, continued success with its world-wide goal of eradicating leprosy.

Signatures by party: Labour 31, Liberal Democrat 14, Labour/Co-operative 6, UUP 3, Conservative 2, Scottish National Party 2.