Support Bill 112 for epilepsy

• Updated 7 March 2011: Bill 112 for epilepsy – second reading postponed

On Wednesday 24 November, the first reading of a Ten Minute Rule Bill for epilepsy took place in the House of Commons. The bill is called the Ten Minute Rule Bill on Epilepsy and Related Conditions (Education and Health Services) (Bill 112).

A Ten Minute Rule Bill is a potential new bill for consideration, proposed by an MP who is not a member of government. Although not many Ten Minute Rule Bills make it into law, there is always a chance that it might. It can happen if the government agrees with the cause or is happy to absorb it into other bills it is passing.

The Ten Minute Rule Bill for epilepsy has been proposed by Valerie Vaz MP.  The bill calls for an action plan for improving health and education for people with epilepsy.

• Watch Valerie introduce the bill

You will find the Ten Minute Rule Bill two hours and 10 minutes into the video clip.
 
Alternatively, read the full text of Valerie Vaz’s speech on introducing the Ten Minute Rule Bill.

MPs Valerie Vaz, David Amess, Jeremy Corbyn, Mary Glindon, Sam Gyimah, Paul Maynard, Steve McCabe, Grahame M. Morris, Pamela Nash, Bob Russell, Laura Sandys and Owen Smith all supported the bill at the first reading. Other MPs present for the first reading voted for the bill to receive a second reading.

A second reading of the bill has been scheduled for 4 March 2011. The second reading is when these kinds of Bills normally fail. We need your help to make sure it is given time in Parliament to be heard. Here is how you can help:

• Contact your local MP. Tell them that a second reading of the Ten Minute Rule Bill on Epilepsy and Related Conditions (Education and Health Services) (Bill 112) has been scheduled for 4 March 2011. You can find out who your MP is, and contact them, through http://www.writetothem.com/
• Ask them to write to the Prime Minister to ask him to find time for this important bill.
• Tell them your experiences of epilepsy. How does epilepsy affect you? How good or bad are the services for epilepsy in your area? What is your experience of the education system and epilepsy?

You can also contact the Prime Minister directly at 10 Downing Street,
London SW1A 2AA. Again, ask him to find time for the bill and tell him your experiences of epilepsy, the health service and the education system.

If you hear back from your MP or the Prime Minister, please let us here at Epilepsy Action know what they say.

The more MPs we can get to support the bill, the more chance we have of the bill being successful.

If you have any questions about this, please contact the campaigns team on 0113 210 8800 or email campaigns@epilepsy.org.uk