That this House notes that the public sector is responsible for five per cent. of total UK carbon emissions and is a significant player in the commercial tenancy market; welcomes the Government's targets for carbon and energy efficiency performance on its own estate as set out in the 2004 Energy Efficiency Action Plan and restated in the 2005 Common Minimum Standards for public sector building procurement; welcomes in particular its commitment to procure only buildings in the top quartile of energy performance, believing that this will have a marked effect on the wider commercial property market; notes with concern that, according to a new report from the National Audit Office, most Government departments and agencies are failing to meet these targets, which will in turn render unachievable the new carbon and energy efficiency targets laid down in the March 2007 Sustainable Operations on the Government Estate; further notes with concern that 14 Government departments are less energy efficient than they were in 2000 and that sustainable public buildings can save at least ??20 million per year through energy and water saving; and therefore calls for a renewed commitment by the Government that the energy standards of the buildings it purchases, leases or procures will be in the top quartile of energy performance in order to meet its energy and carbon targets and to transform the wider commercial property market.

That this House notes that the public sector is responsible for five per cent. of total UK carbon emissions and is a significant player in the commercial tenancy market; welcomes the Government's targets for carbon and energy efficiency performance on its own estate as set out in the 2004 Energy...

That this House welcomes the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (2002/91/EC), which had been due to reduce carbon dioxide emissions across the EU-15 by 45 million tonnes by 2010 had it been implemented, in full, as intended, from 4th January 2006; and therefore strongly urges that the Government, together with the devolved administrations, publish immediately a detailed timetable showing how and when each Article of the Directive is to be implemented in full in the United Kingdom.

That this House welcomes the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (2002/91/EC), which had been due to reduce carbon dioxide emissions across the EU-15 by 45 million tonnes by 2010 had it been implemented, in full, as intended, from 4th January 2006; and therefore strongly urges that the Government, together with...

That this House expresses its deepest sympathy for the victims of the disaster in Katowice, their families and friends, and offers sincere condolences to the Polish people at this sad time.

That this House expresses its deepest sympathy for the victims of the disaster in Katowice, their families and friends, and offers sincere condolences to the Polish people at this sad time.

That this House warmly congratulates St George's Hospital NHS Trust on the recent opening of the Atkinson Morley Cardiothoracic and Neurosciences Unit at this hospital, which clearly shows the deep commitment of Her Majesty's Government to the ongoing modern developments taking place within the NHS and its commitment to the service and the people who will use these services; further notes that this unit now provides some of the most modern medical facilities within the United Kingdom, which will serve the medical health needs of the local community and also people throughout the United Kingdom who will use these services; and pays the warmest tribute to all members of staff of this unit and of St George's Hospital for their ongoing commitment to this country's health services.

That this House warmly congratulates St George's Hospital NHS Trust on the recent opening of the Atkinson Morley Cardiothoracic and Neurosciences Unit at this hospital, which clearly shows the deep commitment of Her Majesty's Government to the ongoing modern developments taking place within the NHS and its commitment to the...

That this House notes that in his 2004 State of the Union address President Bush declared his intention to double the budget of the National Endowment for Democracy, and to focus its new work on the development of free elections, and free markets, free press, and free labour unions in the Middle East; notes with regret, however, the raid by US occupation forces in the Baghdad headquarters of the free trade union movement in Iraq, and that the offices are still closed whilst trade union assets are still frozen; and calls upon the US Administration to initiate a full inquiry into the circumstances of the original raid on 6th December 2003, to explain its actions, to issue an apology, to offer compensation and to make it its policy fully to recognise the positive role of secular trade unions whilst it remains an occupying power.

That this House notes that in his 2004 State of the Union address President Bush declared his intention to double the budget of the National Endowment for Democracy, and to focus its new work on the development of free elections, and free markets, free press, and free labour unions in...

That this House expresses its concern at the threatened demolition of the Peace House, Beit Arabiya, in the village of Anata in the occupied West Bank on land owned by Salim and Arabiya Shawamreh; notes that Beit Arabiya is dedicated to the memories of US peace activist, Rachel Corrie and Nuha Sweiden, a Palestinian, both of whom died during demolition of homes by Israeli troops; further notes that houses built by the Shawamreh family on the Anata site have been destroyed by the Israeli authorities on four previous occasions in five years, sometimes with less than one hour's notice being given to the family; pays tribute to the Shawamreh family and the Palestinian, Israeli and international volunteers who have rebuilt the house on each occasion; further notes that around 100,000 Palestinian homes have been destroyed by Israel during the occupation at the same time as illegal settlements have been subsidised and expanded; further notes that such actions are contrary to Israel's obligations under international law and undermine the cause of peace; and calls on the United Kingdom Government to make urgent representations to Israel to halt both the destruction of Beit Arabiya and its policy of house demolition in the Occupied Territories.

That this House expresses its concern at the threatened demolition of the Peace House, Beit Arabiya, in the village of Anata in the occupied West Bank on land owned by Salim and Arabiya Shawamreh; notes that Beit Arabiya is dedicated to the memories of US peace activist, Rachel Corrie and...

That this House expresses concern that seven in 10 disabled people find it difficult to use everyday services because of poor access and building design; notes that from 1st October 2004 anyone who provides a service to the public will have to make reasonable adjustments to their services to ensure that physical barriers that make it difficult for disabled people to receive fair treatment are removed; wholeheartedly supports the Disability Rights Commission's Open 4 All campaign to help businesses and service providers understand and implement these new duties introduced under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995; notes that some businesses will face significant one-off costs of improving existing premises; therefore agrees with the DRC and CBI that a specific tax allowance should be introduced to assist business with the transition and to promote a best practice approach; and urges the Government to act on this recommendation.

That this House expresses concern that seven in 10 disabled people find it difficult to use everyday services because of poor access and building design; notes that from 1st October 2004 anyone who provides a service to the public will have to make reasonable adjustments to their services to ensure...

That this House notes that pursuant to the Sustainable Energy Act 2003 the Secretary of State must set an energy efficiency aim for residential accommodation; and welcomes the assurance given during the Committee Stage of that Act that in doing so the Government will work with the energy efficiency industry and others who have an interest, Official Report, 24th June, column 56; further notes that the industry and the environment and fuel poverty sectors have all stressed the importance of the aim being the achievement of five megatonnes of carbon savings per annum by 2010 from household energy efficiency as specified in the Energy White Paper, or a 20 per cent. improvement by 2010, the two being different ways of expressing the same target; further notes that this figure has been supported by the Cabinet Office's Performance and Innovation Unit, the Energy Saving Trust, the Sustainable Development Commission and by 420 honourable Members by means of signing various Early Day Motions and voting on this issue; welcomes the Written Answer given on 27th October by Energy Efficiency Minister Lord Whitty to Baroness Maddock, Official Report, column WA19, confirming the Government's commitment to achieving improvements in household energy efficiency of five megatonnes of carbon by 2010; and calls upon the Government to set as the energy efficiency aim the achievement of five megatonnes of carbon savings per annum by 2010 for the UK, with an appropriate proportion for England.

That this House notes that pursuant to the Sustainable Energy Act 2003 the Secretary of State must set an energy efficiency aim for residential accommodation; and welcomes the assurance given during the Committee Stage of that Act that in doing so the Government will work with the energy efficiency industry...

That this House notes that the Government's Energy White Paper is due to be published in January 2003; believes that climate change and global warming must in future be the key driving force for energy policy; supports the Carbon Trust's view that the renewable technologies required to deliver a low carbon economy and to meet the RCEPs suggested target of a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions of 60 per cent. by 2050 are already established or emerging; and urges the Government to support a 100,000 solar PV roof programme to enable the UK to begin to catch up with the programmes in Germany and Japan that will deliver an estimated 140,000 and 370,000 solar roofs respectively by 2005, and to set a realistic target under the Renewables Obligation of at least 20 per cent. of UK electricity needs to be met from renewable resources by 2020.

That this House notes that the Government's Energy White Paper is due to be published in January 2003; believes that climate change and global warming must in future be the key driving force for energy policy; supports the Carbon Trust's view that the renewable technologies required to deliver a low...

That this House commends the Government's commitment to the eradication of fuel poverty in social housing by 2010 and understands the case for replacing the expenditure-based definition of affordable warmth with the requirement that a dwelling should be efficient heating and effective insulation; considers that the proposed thermal comfort standards, set well below those specified in current building regulations, are totally inadequate for this purpose and will result in extensive hidden fuel poverty; and calls upon the Government to re-examine the energy efficiency criteria of the decency standard with a view to setting an energy rating target that will ensure warmth and comfort for tenants occupying dwellings in this sector.

That this House commends the Government's commitment to the eradication of fuel poverty in social housing by 2010 and understands the case for replacing the expenditure-based definition of affordable warmth with the requirement that a dwelling should be efficient heating and effective insulation; considers that the proposed thermal comfort standards,...

That this House congratulates Iran upon building a school and a road for Herat in Afghanistan; and calls upon the UK and the US to complete similar socially-beneficial infrastructure project in Afghanistan.

That this House congratulates Iran upon building a school and a road for Herat in Afghanistan; and calls upon the UK and the US to complete similar socially-beneficial infrastructure project in Afghanistan.

That this House congratulates Macmillan Cancer Relief on its powerful exhibitions in the Upper Waiting Hall during the week beginning 3rd December; supports Macmillan's important work to ensure that, right from the start, when cancer is first diagnosed, and throughout the experience, people affected by cancer have both the expert care and the practical and emotional support they really need; applauds the numerous innovative ways in which Macmillan seeks to realise this vision, including through more than 2,000 Macmillan nurses, over 300 Macmillan specialist consultants and doctors, CancerVOICES to ensure the cancer service user's voice is heard in service development; over ??5 million in patient grants to almost 20,000 people in 2000, with most cheques sent within three days of receipt of grant application; extensive information and support services, including an information line that helped 23,000 people in 2000; and a programme of building projects for the NHS that in 2000 alone totalled ??5.2 million; notes with concern that Macmillan and cancer patients are currently penalised for this unique charitable contribution to the tune of approximately ??1 million per annum in irrecoverable VAT; further notes with alarm that no action has yet been taken to address this unjust anomaly; appreciates the deep debt of gratitude Macmillan owes honourable Members from all parties for their kind support of Macmillan appeals and initiatives in their constituency and nationally; and calls on the Department of Health and Her Majesty's Treasury to agree at the earliest opportunity a just, joined-up and sustainable solution that will end Macmillan's ??1 million bill for irrecoverable VAT on building costs and release funds which could otherwise fund 30 additional Macmillan nurses.

That this House congratulates Macmillan Cancer Relief on its powerful exhibitions in the Upper Waiting Hall during the week beginning 3rd December; supports Macmillan's important work to ensure that, right from the start, when cancer is first diagnosed, and throughout the experience, people affected by cancer have both the expert...

That this House notes with concern the widespread practice whereby mortgage customers are required to pay a minimum of ??25 to switch their buildings insurance to another provider; further notes that consumers are often misled by their mortgage lender's lack of clear, up-front, information about the existence of this fee; recognises that no comparable switching fees exist in similar service industries such as gas, electricity and telecoms; applauds the action taken by insurers who refund this fee to their customers; and recommends that the regulators take action against this anti-competitive and anti-consumer practice to allow mortgage customers to choose the best buildings insurance policy for their circumstances without being deterred by an unjustifiable fee.

That this House notes with concern the widespread practice whereby mortgage customers are required to pay a minimum of ??25 to switch their buildings insurance to another provider; further notes that consumers are often misled by their mortgage lender's lack of clear, up-front, information about the existence of this fee;...

That this House deplores the treatment of individual leaseholders at Mountaire Court Flats in Brent who were defrauded of ??22,000 cash for major repair works never performed by Freshwater's managing company which went into liquidation and who now face further demands for ??5,500 in advance, in respect of the same major repair works under threat of repossession by Parkgate-Aspen who are the new managing agents of the flats, the freehold of which is held by Freshwater.

That this House deplores the treatment of individual leaseholders at Mountaire Court Flats in Brent who were defrauded of ??22,000 cash for major repair works never performed by Freshwater's managing company which went into liquidation and who now face further demands for ??5,500 in advance, in respect of the same...