PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
LUPUS AWARENESS MONTH (9 October 2007)

That this House notes that October is Lupus Awareness Month and that the Government's proposal to phase out the sale of incandescent lightbulbs by 2011 is likely to have serious consequences for the health and quality of life for some people with lupus; appreciates that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Department of Health are working to consider how to avoid any unintended consequences from the phasing out of inefficient lightbulbs; recognises that over 50,000 people in the UK have lupus, of whom 90 per cent. are female, and that lupus, although mild in some cases, can be disabling and sometimes fatal, causing many different symptoms including joint and muscle pain, fatigue, depression, UV light sensitivity, kidney, heart, lung and brain problems as well as miscarriages; acknowledges that there continues to be an urgent need to increase awareness of the debilitating impact of lupus; and congratulates Lupus UK for its work as the only national charity dedicated to raising awareness of the condition, as well as providing support and advice for lupus sufferers and raising funds for research.

Sponsored by:
Mrs Janet Dean (Labour)