That this House congratulates the Royal National Lifeboat Institution on its 175th anniversary; notes that since 1824 no fewer than 132,000 people have been saved from certain death thanks to the bravery of volunteer lifeboat crews, and that in the past year there were over 6,000 lifeboat launches with an average of four people saved every day; pays tribute to those who have served the RNLI both at sea and on shore during the past 175 years; honours those who lost their lives while engaged on rescues; places on record the nation's appreciation of those who crew and support RNLI at its 222 lifeboat stations around the coasts of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland; recognises that the cost of ??222,000 a day to run the lifeboat service is borne entirely by bequests and public donations; and wishes all associated with the RNLI continuing success with its mission to save lives at sea.

That this House congratulates the Royal National Lifeboat Institution on its 175th anniversary; notes that since 1824 no fewer than 132,000 people have been saved from certain death thanks to the bravery of volunteer lifeboat crews, and that in the past year there were over 6,000 lifeboat launches with an...

That this House offers its sincere congratulations to the coxswain of the Lerwick lifeboat, Mr Hewitt Clark, on his award of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution's Gold Medal for gallantry in respect of the rescue of crewmen from the stricken vessel 'Green Lily' off Shetland in November 1997; notes that the RNLI's Gold Medal is only rarely awarded and recognises the exceptional skill and bravery shown by Mr Clark in this rescue; further congratulates the lifeboat crew, Richard Simpson, Peter Thomson, Brian Laurenson, Ian Leask and Michael Grant on receiving the Institution's Bronze Medal for gallantry, and the members of the coastguard helicopter rescue crew on receiving special recognition by the RNLI for their part in the rescue; recognises with sadness and deep respect the special vellum posthumously awarded to winchman William Deacon who sacrificed his life in this mission; and records its sincere appreciation of all lifeboat crews, coastguards and air and sea rescue teams who give selfless service to those who encounter difficulties in the waters around our shores.

That this House offers its sincere congratulations to the coxswain of the Lerwick lifeboat, Mr Hewitt Clark, on his award of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution's Gold Medal for gallantry in respect of the rescue of crewmen from the stricken vessel 'Green Lily' off Shetland in November 1997; notes that...

That this House expresses concern that the European Commission's proposals for harmonisation of value-added tax in 1992 may put at risk the special zero rate of value-added tax on lifeboats and lifeboat equipment; notes that this zero-rating enables the Royal National Lifeboat Institute to receive three million pounds of voluntary contributions (equivalent to one-fifth of its income derived from subscriptions and donations) which would otherwise be paid away in irrecoverable value-added tax; and urges Her Majesty's Government to resist any changes to existing charity zero-rates.

That this House expresses concern that the European Commission's proposals for harmonisation of value-added tax in 1992 may put at risk the special zero rate of value-added tax on lifeboats and lifeboat equipment; notes that this zero-rating enables the Royal National Lifeboat Institute to receive three million pounds of voluntary...

That this House expresses concern that the European Commission's proposals for harmonisation of value-added tax in 1992 may put at risk the special zero rate of value-added tax on lifeboats and lifeboat equipment; notes that this zero-rating enables the Royal National Lifeboat Institution to receive three million pounds of voluntary contributions (equivalent to one-fifth of its income derived from subscriptions and donations) which would otherwise be paid away in irrecoverable value-added tax; and urges Her Majesty's Government to resist any changes to existing charity zero-rates.

That this House expresses concern that the European Commission's proposals for harmonisation of value-added tax in 1992 may put at risk the special zero rate of value-added tax on lifeboats and lifeboat equipment; notes that this zero-rating enables the Royal National Lifeboat Institution to receive three million pounds of voluntary...

That this House notes with concern two sea rescue incidents this week which underline the case for re-establishing night search and rescue operations from RAF Leuchars, namely the transfer of a badly scalded crewman from the fishing vessel 'Favourite' by the North Berwick inshore lifeboat and ambulance and the rescue of a member of the Dutch fishing vessel 'Areadne' in a diabetic coma by Aberdeen lifeboat and ambulance transfer, both of which rescues would have been completed in a quarter of the time by helicopter; and calls on the Government to review the position, in view of the minimal economies achieved and the risk to life and limb of continuing without night cover.

That this House notes with concern two sea rescue incidents this week which underline the case for re-establishing night search and rescue operations from RAF Leuchars, namely the transfer of a badly scalded crewman from the fishing vessel 'Favourite' by the North Berwick inshore lifeboat and ambulance and the rescue...