WEST Devon and Torridge MP John Burnett is giving his backing to a cross-party bill to promote and defend volunteering, which received its second reading in the House on Friday.
The volunteering bill has been sponsored by Julian Brazier and has received high-level support from the the likes of Iain Duncan Smith, Chris Smith and Gwyneth Dunwoody.
The aim of the bill is to reduce the burden of legislation and risks of litigation on those who give up their time to volunteer.
It also seeks to protect umbrella organisations which provide compulsory insurance for their members; provide encouragement to the judiciary to undertake training to understand the implications of the act and inherent dangers associated with adventure sports; and seeks to introduce an American-style ?Good Samaritan clause? to protect members of the public who assist injured or suffering people from later being sued for accidental injury or damage to property.
John Burnett said: ?There are many millions of people giving of their most valuable commodity ? their time ? as volunteers, to promote all sorts of activities, especially for young people.
?It is vitally important they are encouraged and thanked for what they do. In recent years, there has been a spate of vexatious litigation and spiralling insurance costs, which have forced many volunteers to reconsider their position.
?This bill will provide for a certificate of inherent risk, which should mean volunteers, provided they have been properly trained and use reasonable care, should not be subjected to unnecessary and unfair legal action.?
Mr Burnett, who spoke during the debate in the House of Commons last Friday, will be a member of the committee which will now consider the bill.
?The government gave it a guarded welcome,? said Mr Burnett.