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 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 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...

That this House recognises the social, economic and cultural importance of well-run community pubs, which provide a safe and sociable environment for the consumption of alcohol among friends and are an essential community meeting place; notes the ideas put forward in the Campaign for Real Ale's Beer Drinkers and Pub Goers Charter which received support from 670 candidates at the last election, 150 of whom were elected; welcomes the genuine cross party consensus on the need to support and protect well-run community pubs; and so urges the Government to implement a package of policies which will help secure the future of viable and well-run community pubs.

That this House recognises the social, economic and cultural importance of well-run community pubs, which provide a safe and sociable environment for the consumption of alcohol among friends and are an essential community meeting place; notes the ideas put forward in the Campaign for Real Ale's Beer Drinkers and Pub...

That this House reaffirms its support for the Hunting Act 2004 and notes that there have been almost 140 convictions under the Act; recognises that the vast majority of the public support the Act across all regional, political, social and religious divides; and therefore believes that any attempt to repeal the Act would be a retrograde step and out of keeping with a civilised society.

That this House reaffirms its support for the Hunting Act 2004 and notes that there have been almost 140 convictions under the Act; recognises that the vast majority of the public support the Act across all regional, political, social and religious divides; and therefore believes that any attempt to repeal...

That this House believes that the Government's proposal to grant anonymity to defendants in rape cases sends a message to juries and rape victims that the victim is not to be believed; fears that this could inhibit the effective prosecution of serial rapists; is further concerned that this will reverse the progress made on the prosecution of rape cases noted in the independent Stern Review; is further concerned that the Government has put forward the proposal without any research, evidence or examination of these issues; and calls on the Government to withdraw its proposal.

That this House believes that the Government's proposal to grant anonymity to defendants in rape cases sends a message to juries and rape victims that the victim is not to be believed; fears that this could inhibit the effective prosecution of serial rapists; is further concerned that this will reverse...

That this House calls on the Government to ensure that any Bill to establish a fixed-term Parliament and to change arrangements for Dissolution is published first in draft and then subjected to pre-legislative scrutiny.

That this House calls on the Government to ensure that any Bill to establish a fixed-term Parliament and to change arrangements for Dissolution is published first in draft and then subjected to pre-legislative scrutiny.

That this House recognises the vital importance of British pubs to the social and economic life of local communities and urges the Government, beer and pub industry and others to work together to do all they can to protect and promote them; notes that pubs have been hit hard by beer duty increases of more than 26 per cent. in the last two years, with dozens of pubs closing every week; calls on the Government to support pubs by reforming the way beer is taxed to reflect its place as the national drink and as a lower strength drink, which is the bedrock of community pubs; and further calls on the Government to ensure that should there be any value added tax rise in the forthcoming budget it is offset by a parallel reduction in duty as a targeted measure to help community pubs.

That this House recognises the vital importance of British pubs to the social and economic life of local communities and urges the Government, beer and pub industry and others to work together to do all they can to protect and promote them; notes that pubs have been hit hard by...

That this House, acknowledging the role of accessible local bus services in the mobility of disabled people, recognises that the lack of audio visual information systems on buses makes those services difficult to use for many people; supports the Talking Buses campaign led by Guide Dogs and supported by 20 other national organisations; and calls on the Government to amend the Public Service Vehicle Accessibility Regulations to require audible and visual information systems on all new buses, which would announce next stop and final destination information.

That this House, acknowledging the role of accessible local bus services in the mobility of disabled people, recognises that the lack of audio visual information systems on buses makes those services difficult to use for many people; supports the Talking Buses campaign led by Guide Dogs and supported by 20...