ALAN TURING

Early day motion 66, tabled 23 November 2004 by Sue Doughty (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 43 members.

That this House welcomes the commemoration of the life and achievements of Alan Turing, brought up in Guildford and a one-time academic at Cambridge University, Princeton University, the National Physical Laboratory and Manchester University, by the unveiling of a sculpture by John W. Mills at the University of Surrey; also welcomes the establishment of the Alan Turing Institute at the University of Manchester in 2004; expresses its admiration for his achievements as inventor of the machine which cracked the Enigma code and the founder of computer science; acknowledges his vital contribution to the Battle of the Atlantic in particular and to Britain's war effort in general through his work at Bletchley Park; notes his untimely death by suicide two years after being prosecuted for his homosexuality and prevented from continuing his work at Bletchley Park; and supports efforts by the Government and campaigners to further the progress that has taken place in Britain since Turing's tragic death towards understanding and acceptance of homosexuality.

Signatures by party: Labour 24, Liberal Democrat 13, Conservative 3, Labour/Co-operative 3.