That this House expresses concern at the oppression of 3,400 members of the People's Mojahedin Organisation of Iran (PMOI) including 1,000 women residing in Camp Ashraf in Iraq as protected persons under the 4th Geneva Convention; notes the inhumane siege of Ashraf residents, in particular serious medical restrictions and their psychological torture with 140 loudspeakers; further notes that this oppression takes place partly using the excuse that the PMOI's name is included on the US terrorist list; further notes that the UK Court of Appeal, after reviewing the closed material, ruled that the PMOI was not involved in terrorism leading to the group's de-proscription in the UK unanimously by both Houses of Parliament in 2008 and in the EU in 2009, and that in July 2010 the US Court of Appeals in Washington ruled in favour of the PMOI and urged the US Secretary of State to re-evaluate the decision to maintain the PMOI on the list; further notes that on 25 November 2010 the European Parliament adopted a declaration calling for protection of Ashraf and the PMOI's de-proscription in the US; urges the US administration to follow the UK in de-listing the PMOI and provide the necessary protection for the residents of Camp Ashraf; calls on the UN to station a monitoring team at Ashraf; and further calls on the UK Government to take necessary measures to convince the UN and US to adopt these measures.

That this House expresses concern at the oppression of 3,400 members of the People's Mojahedin Organisation of Iran (PMOI) including 1,000 women residing in Camp Ashraf in Iraq as protected persons under the 4th Geneva Convention; notes the inhumane siege of Ashraf residents, in particular serious medical restrictions and their...

That this House notes that whilst there is a legal minimum workplace indoor temperature there is no clear legal maximum workplace temperature so that conditions can vary greatly from employer to employer; further notes that many employees, particularly those working in bakeries, are often subjected to very high temperatures which can impact seriously on their health and well-being, with effects ranging from discomfort, stress, irritability and headaches, to extra strain on the heart and lungs, dizziness and fainting and heat cramps due to loss of water and salt; and urges the Government to provide clear and coherent guidelines to employers about how to combat heat in the workplace and to introduce a maximum working workplace temperature of 30C (86F) and of 27C (81F) for those doing strenuous work.

That this House notes that whilst there is a legal minimum workplace indoor temperature there is no clear legal maximum workplace temperature so that conditions can vary greatly from employer to employer; further notes that many employees, particularly those working in bakeries, are often subjected to very high temperatures which...

That this Houserecognises the important role which sustainable bioliquids made from waste, such as Used Cooking Oil (UCO), have in helping the UK meet its challenging targets to reduce carbon emissions by 34 per cent. and increase the amount of electricity generated from renewable sources to 15 per cent. by 2020; acknowledges that the Department for Energy and Climate Change's own research indicates that UCO, which can cause serious environmental and economic damage if dumped down the drain, has the highest energy efficiency use when used in Combined Heat and Power; notes that bioliquids produced from waste products avoid a host of contentious issues traditionally associated with biofuels such as the food versus fuel debate; further notes the importance of the UK's rapidly developing bioliquids sector in creating a green collar skills sector; and calls on the Government to make a clear policy commitment which ensures that bioliquids made from waste receive the same level of support offered to other forms of renewable energy such as solid biomass and anaerobic digestion and which, at the same time, disincentivises unsustainable bioliquids.

That this Houserecognises the important role which sustainable bioliquids made from waste, such as Used Cooking Oil (UCO), have in helping the UK meet its challenging targets to reduce carbon emissions by 34 per cent. and increase the amount of electricity generated from renewable sources to 15 per cent. by...

That this House notes with grave concern the reduced employment terms and conditions for staff of hon. Members under the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) expenses scheme; recognises the real terms reduction in hon. Members' staffing budgets and urges IPSA to raise the staffing limit for hon. Membersin the forthcoming review; further notes that redundancy rights have been reduced to a statutory basis, removing discretion to reward loyalty; further notes that hon. Members are also prevented from rewarding good performance through bonus payments to staff; urges IPSA to work towards the creation of a human resources department; further urges IPSA to reconsider the decision no longer to deduct trade union subscriptions at payroll; calls on IPSA to amend the expenses scheme so that payments related to maternity leave and cover can be made from a separate budget and not treated as contingencies; further recognises that in practice many Parliamentary internships qualify for the national minimum wage and further urges IPSA to create an interns fund to pay them fairly; further recognises that public anger at the previous expenses scheme was not due to staff costs and therefore opposes any arbitrary publication of staff salary details; and further urges IPSA to work alongside the Unite Parliamentary Staff Branch and other staff associations to resolve these issues.

That this House notes with grave concern the reduced employment terms and conditions for staff of hon. Members under the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) expenses scheme; recognises the real terms reduction in hon. Members' staffing budgets and urges IPSA to raise the staffing limit for hon. Membersin the forthcoming...

That this House recalls the disgraceful state of disrepair, discomfort and the lack of modern facilities that characterised too many schools under previous Conservative Governments; commends the last Labour Government for its widely respected Building Schools for the Future programme to build new secondary schools and refurbish others so that pupils could enjoy decent facilities and improve discipline and educational achievement; condemns the current Coalition Government for its cavalier attitude towards pupils, parents and teaching staff in schools around the country in halting over 700 school rebuilding schemes that had, in many cases, been negotiated carefully over many months or years by the Government, local authorities and schools, which were keenly anticipated by all concerned and which would also have assisted the construction industry and other sectors at a time when the economic recovery is fragile; notes, in particular that a total of 90 schools in the North East of England have been cancelled, including 14 in Sunderland, 4 in Gateshead, 15 in Redcar and Cleveland, 1 in Northumberland, 11 in North Tyneside, 6 in Hartlepool, 15 in Durham, 7 in Darlington and 17 in Stockton on Tees, with another 4 listed for discussion; and urges the Government to reconsider its decisions.

That this House recalls the disgraceful state of disrepair, discomfort and the lack of modern facilities that characterised too many schools under previous Conservative Governments; commends the last Labour Government for its widely respected Building Schools for the Future programme to build new secondary schools and refurbish others so that...

That this House supports the pledge published in the programme for Government to work to reduce the use of animals in scientific reasearch; and calls on the Government to develop a strategy which identifies and implements targets for sustained reductions in the number of animals used annually in experiments in the UK in order to fulfil this pledge.

That this House supports the pledge published in the programme for Government to work to reduce the use of animals in scientific reasearch; and calls on the Government to develop a strategy which identifies and implements targets for sustained reductions in the number of animals used annually in experiments in...

That this House is alarmed by the proposals to close 103 magistrates' courts and 54 county courts in England and Wales put forward by the Ministry of Justice; notes that this respresents a 30 per cent. cut in courts across the country; acknowledges that courts provide a vital public service delivering local justice; deplores the fact that an announcement of such importance to hon. Members was presented in a Written Ministerial Statement; is concerned that the scale of these closures will have a significant and lasting impact on the prosecution of justice in local communities; does not believe that the timetable for public consultation is sufficient for a proposal of such magnitude; and calls on the Minister responsible to extend the consultation period to allow hon. Members and other interested parties to submit responses, and to agree to meet urgently with representatives from the recognised trade unions to discuss how to mitigate the impact of these proposals on their members.

That this House is alarmed by the proposals to close 103 magistrates' courts and 54 county courts in England and Wales put forward by the Ministry of Justice; notes that this respresents a 30 per cent. cut in courts across the country; acknowledges that courts provide a vital public service...

That this House recognises the importance of local bus services in tackling congestion in urban areas, in contributing to carbon reduction and in providing a lifeline service in rural areas and for households without access to a car; notes that the Government's own calculations suggest that if Government BSOG (Bus Services Operator Grant) support for bus services were to be withdrawn, substantial fare increases, service reductions and job losses would follow; and calls on the Government to continue to support bus services by retaining BSOG.

That this House recognises the importance of local bus services in tackling congestion in urban areas, in contributing to carbon reduction and in providing a lifeline service in rural areas and for households without access to a car; notes that the Government's own calculations suggest that if Government BSOG (Bus...

That this House supports the campaign within the Labour Party for the creation of a fund within the Labour Party that local parties can draw on to develop talented individuals from under-represented groups to provide bursaries and grants to individuals who would be unable to sustain the costs of candidacy; recognises that there is unacceptably low representation in Parliament of groups from low-income backgrounds such as manual workers, ethnic minorities, women and disabled people; and calls on all sides of the House to campaign for similar funds to be created.

That this House supports the campaign within the Labour Party for the creation of a fund within the Labour Party that local parties can draw on to develop talented individuals from under-represented groups to provide bursaries and grants to individuals who would be unable to sustain the costs of candidacy;...

That this House notes that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs public consultation on the use of wild animals in travelling circuses shows that 94.5 per cent. of respondents support a ban as the best option to protect the welfare of circus animals; further notes that the new Government has been unclear on whether it will take action; believes that treating wild animals as circus tricks has no place in civilised society; underlines that violence against animals continues to occur routinely in circuses as revealed in an investigation into the Great British Circus in 2009; recognises that the only thing stopping this ban from coming into place is a decision by Ministers; and urges the Government to use its powers under section 12 of the Animal Welfare Act to make a regulation banning the use of all wild animals in circuses.

That this House notes that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs public consultation on the use of wild animals in travelling circuses shows that 94.5 per cent. of respondents support a ban as the best option to protect the welfare of circus animals; further notes that the new...

That this House congratulates staff in the Department for Work and Pensions on their success in getting people back into work in this difficult economic period; notes the significant savings that Jobcentre Plus and other Department for Work and Pensions staff have enabled by finding people work and minimising the welfare budget; is concerned that the position of 13,500 staff on fixed-term appointments whose contracts are coming to an end has not been clarified; further notes that this number includes 2,500 fixed-term appointees in the Department undertaking crucial work responding to the economic downturn, who could be made redundant in November 2010; is alarmed that, with job losses set to rise and a freeze on recruitment, the redundancies of these staff would lead to an untenable workload for other staff in the Department; and calls on the Government to extend or make permanent the contracts of such workers and enter into urgent negotiations with the recognised trade unions on this matter.

That this House congratulates staff in the Department for Work and Pensions on their success in getting people back into work in this difficult economic period; notes the significant savings that Jobcentre Plus and other Department for Work and Pensions staff have enabled by finding people work and minimising the...

That this House recognises the work of the Government Office Network, which employs over 1,700 staff from 13 departments in nine locations across England which deliver Government services in partnership with local authorities and charities in areas from child protection to monitoring community tensions; is concerned that the review of the Government Offices could lead to their closure which would have a devastating impact on the community; and urges the Government to protect the delivery of services in English regions and to meet urgently with Public and Commercial Services Union representatives who work in the Government Office Network to consider their concerns.

That this House recognises the work of the Government Office Network, which employs over 1,700 staff from 13 departments in nine locations across England which deliver Government services in partnership with local authorities and charities in areas from child protection to monitoring community tensions; is concerned that the review of...

That this House supports the Independent Living Fund in providing financial support to those with disabilities in the UK; notes that the fund currently provides vital support for over 21,000 people; welcomes the support which the fund has received from Government in recent years; expresses deep concern however that due to the rising cost of care the fund has had to close to new applicants for the remainder of the financial year; and calls on the Government to increase the funding to the Independent Living Fund to allow it to continue providing support to all who require it.

That this House supports the Independent Living Fund in providing financial support to those with disabilities in the UK; notes that the fund currently provides vital support for over 21,000 people; welcomes the support which the fund has received from Government in recent years; expresses deep concern however that due...

That this House shares the concern of several education unions, the Child Poverty Action Group, health groups and prominent academics about the Government's decision not to proceed with the extension of free school meal eligibility to an estimated half a million primary school children from low income working families, which would cost parents returning to work over £300 per child; notes that the recent Strategic Review of Health Inequalities in England post-2010 highlighted the disadvantages faced by those from the lowest socio-economic groups and the importance of giving every child the best start in life; believes that ensuring that all primary school children living in poverty receive a healthy school meal would make a considerable contribution to reducing both education and health inequalities, given that almost one-third of children are overweight or obese by the time they reach the end of primary school; further believes that healthier school meals have been shown to improve classroom behaviour, helping to improve academic performance and attainment; and urges the Government to review this decision as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review process.

That this House shares the concern of several education unions, the Child Poverty Action Group, health groups and prominent academics about the Government's decision not to proceed with the extension of free school meal eligibility to an estimated half a million primary school children from low income working families, which...

That this House recognises the crucial work undertaken by civil and public servants every day across all government departments; notes that without their dedication and hard work the Government would not be able to function; congratulates the Public and Commercial Services Union on its latest legal victory in its dispute to defend the Civil Service Compensation Scheme which would have seen tens of thousands of its members worse off; and encourages the new Government to enter urgent negotiations with the union to seek a negotiated settlement.

That this House recognises the crucial work undertaken by civil and public servants every day across all government departments; notes that without their dedication and hard work the Government would not be able to function; congratulates the Public and Commercial Services Union on its latest legal victory in its dispute...

That this House believes value added tax (VAT) is an unfair and regressive tax which disproportionately affects people on lower incomes, including pensioners and the unemployed who do not pay income tax or national insurance; further believes that the temporary reduction in VAT to 15 per cent. in 2009 was a successful measure in stimulating the economy during the recession; and opposes the unfair increase in VAT to 20 per cent. announced in the 2010 Budget, which will hit the poorest families and pensioners in society hardest.

That this House believes value added tax (VAT) is an unfair and regressive tax which disproportionately affects people on lower incomes, including pensioners and the unemployed who do not pay income tax or national insurance; further believes that the temporary reduction in VAT to 15 per cent. in 2009 was...

That this House endorses the call by the Motor Neurone Disease Association for a national strategy for motor neurone disease (MND); believes that such a strategy would lead to enhanced cost-effectiveness and good practice; supports the implementation of the National Service Framework for long-term neurological conditions; is dismayed that no official national clinical guidance or approach exists in relation to MND; notes the extreme cruelty of motor neurone disease, which dramatically curtails lives and traps an often healthy mind in a failing and incapacitated body; and further believes that a national strategy is urgently needed in order to address the inequity of access to best practice in care for people with MND and to ensure as high a quality of life as possible and dignity in death.

That this House endorses the call by the Motor Neurone Disease Association for a national strategy for motor neurone disease (MND); believes that such a strategy would lead to enhanced cost-effectiveness and good practice; supports the implementation of the National Service Framework for long-term neurological conditions; is dismayed that no...

That this House welcomes the mention the housing crisis campaign; notes that two million households are predicted to be on housing waiting lists by 2011 and that over two million vulnerable children are living in unsatisfactory housing; further notes that, in March 2010, the current housing minister said `We will put our proposals to a very simple test: have we built more homes?'; further notes that poor quality, overcrowded housing damages children's educational attainment and subsequent earnings potential and that according to research commissioned by the National Housing Federation, health problems relating to poor housing cost the country nearly 2.5 billion a year in treatment and time off work; urges the Government not to ignore the housing crisis; and calls on the Chancellor and the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government to safeguard the building of social rented and affordable homes in the forthcoming spending review.

That this House welcomes the mention the housing crisis campaign; notes that two million households are predicted to be on housing waiting lists by 2011 and that over two million vulnerable children are living in unsatisfactory housing; further notes that, in March 2010, the current housing minister said `We will...

That this House notes the value and importance of science in the schools' curriculum; further notes the importance of the specific inclusion of evolution and natural selection in the schools' curriculum; regrets that evolution has been dropped from reforms to the primary school curriculum, along with other reforms proposed; further regrets the inclusion of creationist and other pseudo-scientific theories in the teaching of science in some schools; and urges the Government to ensure that all schools teach and promote science and the scientific method and to include the theory of evolution in the science curriculum at both primary and secondary levels.

That this House notes the value and importance of science in the schools' curriculum; further notes the importance of the specific inclusion of evolution and natural selection in the schools' curriculum; regrets that evolution has been dropped from reforms to the primary school curriculum, along with other reforms proposed; further...

That this House notes that a ban on the beak trimming of laying hens is due to come into force on 1 January 2011; believes that if the ban is postponed a new commencement date must be set by the statutory instrument that postpones the ban; further notes that scientific research shows that the correct way to prevent feather pecking and cannibalism is not to beak-trim the hens but to keep them in good conditions and to select birds that are less prone to feather pecking; further notes that there is ample practical experience to draw on as Austrian farmers and certain UK farmers have successfully phased out beak trimming; and calls on the Government, if it postpones the ban on beak trimming, to set a new commencement date for the ban and to encourage the industry to develop and implement an action plan for bringing beak-trimming to an end.

That this House notes that a ban on the beak trimming of laying hens is due to come into force on 1 January 2011; believes that if the ban is postponed a new commencement date must be set by the statutory instrument that postpones the ban; further notes that scientific...