WILLIAM WILBERFORCE AND THE ABOLITION OF SLAVERY

Early day motion 2469, tabled 29 June 2006 by Lord Foster of Bath (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 60 members.

That this House regrets that between 1782 and 1807 alone the UK traded in over 1,000,000 human lives; notes that 25th March 2007 marks the 200th anniversary of Royal Assent being granted to the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act; recalls that the passing of this Bill by Parliament was the first step towards the abolition of slavery; upholds the comments made during the Bill's debates by the then Prime Minister, Lord Grenville, that the slave trade was `contrary to the principles of justice, humanity and sound policy'; deplores the fact that slavery and human trafficking still persist illegally in the world; celebrates the significant contribution made to the cause by many former hon. Members but especially William Wilberforce; and calls upon the Bank of England to design a new bank note bearing his image and celebrating the abolition of slavery.

Signatures by party: Labour 25, Liberal Democrat 23, Conservative 5, DUP 3, Independent 1, Plaid Cymru 1, Scottish National Party 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.