That this House commemorates the long-term champion of women's suffrage, social reform and refugee rights, Eleanor Rathbone, on the 70th anniversary of her death; notes her many achievements as the first female member of Liverpool City Council and as Member of Parliament for Combined English Universities from 1929 until the year before her death in 1946, and her campaign to secure the introduction of the Family Allowance in 1945; further notes her exceptional contribution to the rescue and welfare of refugees from Nazi Europe; supports the events taking place in Liverpool and across the country to commemorate her work; welcomes plans to install commemorative artwork in Greenbank Park, Liverpool; and commends the work of the Remembering Eleanor Rathbone campaign and the ongoing work to ensure that the life and work of Eleanor Rathbone is remembered and celebrated.

That this House commemorates the long-term champion of women's suffrage, social reform and refugee rights, Eleanor Rathbone, on the 70th anniversary of her death; notes her many achievements as the first female member of Liverpool City Council and as Member of Parliament for Combined English Universities from 1929 until the...

That this House recognises the great success of the International Festival for Business 2014, hosted by Liverpool and the City Region on behalf of the UK as a whole; notes that 75,000 business delegates took part in more than 400 events, making it the largest business festival in the world this year; further notes the very positive feedback that has been received so far from participants and partners; looks forward to the completion and publication of the Interim Evaluation Report this November, exploring the Festival's impact on the economy; commends the Mayor of Liverpool, Liverpool City Council, Liverpool Vision and partners for their excellent work in delivering it; and further looks forward to seeing the plans for the International Festival for Business 2016, which will once again be staged in Liverpool and the City Region.

That this House recognises the great success of the International Festival for Business 2014, hosted by Liverpool and the City Region on behalf of the UK as a whole; notes that 75,000 business delegates took part in more than 400 events, making it the largest business festival in the world...

That this House is encouraged by the positive progress made in the development of the International Festival for Business, to be held in Liverpool in 2014 and attracting 250,000 visitors from around the world; recognises that this is an excellent opportunity to provide an international showcase for British business; notes that over half of the total target of 100 events have already been confirmed; praises Liverpool City Council and Liverpool Vision for the role they have played in enabling the Festival to go ahead; acknowledges the active support and involvement of government departments and agencies; and calls on the Government to continue to assist and constructively engage with the Festival.

That this House is encouraged by the positive progress made in the development of the International Festival for Business, to be held in Liverpool in 2014 and attracting 250,000 visitors from around the world; recognises that this is an excellent opportunity to provide an international showcase for British business; notes...

That this House welcomes the founding of the Youth Select Committee, a pilot initiative enabling young people to hold inquiries into issues it considers to be important; offers its strong support to the Committee; recognises the importance of the Youth Select Committee in inspiring young people to have an interest in politics; further welcomes the decision to consider public transport including the challenges faced by young people in accessing services and travelling safely; notes that its representatives are all elected and aged between 12 and 18; further notes that the Committee's inquiries reflect issues prioritised by the British Youth Council, the UK Youth Parliament and a national poll of 65,000 young people; and looks forward to the Committee's report and recommendations.

That this House welcomes the founding of the Youth Select Committee, a pilot initiative enabling young people to hold inquiries into issues it considers to be important; offers its strong support to the Committee; recognises the importance of the Youth Select Committee in inspiring young people to have an interest...

That this House notes with concern the threat of redundancies at the Charity Commission offices in Liverpool which could mean as many as 78 staff losing their jobs; further notes that by targeting lower grades in Liverpool, the proposals will lead to larger numbers of staff losing their jobs; and urges the Charity Commission's Chief Executive to take into account representations from trade unions and hon. Members during the recent consultation.

That this House notes with concern the threat of redundancies at the Charity Commission offices in Liverpool which could mean as many as 78 staff losing their jobs; further notes that by targeting lower grades in Liverpool, the proposals will lead to larger numbers of staff losing their jobs; and...

That this House is deeply concerned that 14 Identity and Passport Service (IPS) Liverpool permanent passport office staff were dismissed without notice on 21 March 2011 due to a recruitment error made by IPS in the autumn of 2008; notes IPS's acknowledgement of its mistake; is concerned that the proposals drawn up by IPS on 4 January 2011 to explore other means of resolving the situation were not forwarded to the Civil Service Commission; and calls for the publication of the findings of the current internal review into what took place, for an independent external review and for the re-instatement of the affected staff.

That this House is deeply concerned that 14 Identity and Passport Service (IPS) Liverpool permanent passport office staff were dismissed without notice on 21 March 2011 due to a recruitment error made by IPS in the autumn of 2008; notes IPS's acknowledgement of its mistake; is concerned that the proposals...

That this House is concerned by the impact of the 27 per cent. budget cut to the Charity Commission announced in the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR); notes that the Commission shed 63 full-time equivalent jobs before the CSR and that the PCS union fears that a further 140 full-time equivalent jobs will also be lost; recognises the critically important role of the Commission in regulating and advising charities; further notes that fraud in the charitable sector is estimated to be 100 million annually; is deeply concerned at the impact further reductions in staff and resources will have on the Commission's ability to rigorously investigate allegations of fraud, particularly allegations of charitable funds being diverted to organisations with links to terrorism; is alarmed at cuts to the Commision at a time whenthe role of charities will be hugely expanded; and calls upon the Government to review the Charity Commission's budget settlement.

That this House is concerned by the impact of the 27 per cent. budget cut to the Charity Commission announced in the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR); notes that the Commission shed 63 full-time equivalent jobs before the CSR and that the PCS union fears that a further 140 full-time equivalent...

That this House notes the ongoing trial of Fariba Kamalabadi, Jamaloddin Khanjani, Afif Naeimi, Saeid Rezaie, Mahvash Sabet, Behrouz Tavakkoli and Vahid Tizfahm, seven Bahá'í leaders in Iran; observes that as of 14 May 2010 they have entered a third year of incarceration in deplorable conditions in cells without beds or bedding; expresses grave concern at the disregard for due process since their arrest and the absence of any evidence presented against them to date; and calls on the Government to protest to the Iranian government at their ongoing detention and to call for their immediate release.

That this House notes the ongoing trial of Fariba Kamalabadi, Jamaloddin Khanjani, Afif Naeimi, Saeid Rezaie, Mahvash Sabet, Behrouz Tavakkoli and Vahid Tizfahm, seven Bahá'í leaders in Iran; observes that as of 14 May 2010 they have entered a third year of incarceration in deplorable conditions in cells without beds...

That this House looks forward to the first-ever Beatles Day to be celebrated on 10th July; recognises the Fab Four's immense contribution to popular culture which extends far beyond Merseyside; notes that the proceeds from the sale of Beatles' wigs will be split between the Alder Hey Children's Hospital Image appeal and the Liverpool Echo's Liverpool Unites campaign, launched after the murder of 11 year old Rhys Jones in 2007; and urges everyone to join in and wear their moptop with pride.

That this House looks forward to the first-ever Beatles Day to be celebrated on 10th July; recognises the Fab Four's immense contribution to popular culture which extends far beyond Merseyside; notes that the proceeds from the sale of Beatles' wigs will be split between the Alder Hey Children's Hospital Image...

That this House welcomes the launch of the Portrait of a Nation programme of events by the Liverpool Culture Company, the Heritage Lottery Fund and participating cities and places; recognises its importance in celebrating national and local heritage and distinctiveness; notes that the campaign will give young people across the UK a voice in the debate about cultural identity; further notes it will feed into a major event that will mark the Liverpool European Capital of Culture 2008 celebrations, providing a high profile platform for heritage; and congratulates all the young people who are taking part in Belfast, Birmingham, Bradford, Brighton and Hove, Bristol, Canterbury, Cardiff, Derby, Leicester, Leeds, Liverpool, Newham (London), Manchester, Newcastle, Gateshead, Norwich, Oxford and the Scottish Highlands and Islands.

That this House welcomes the launch of the Portrait of a Nation programme of events by the Liverpool Culture Company, the Heritage Lottery Fund and participating cities and places; recognises its importance in celebrating national and local heritage and distinctiveness; notes that the campaign will give young people across the...

That this House notes with concern that trafficking of women, children and men is a growing problem in the United Kingdom and that an estimated 4,000 people are trafficked into the United Kingdom annually; welcomes the fact that trafficking for sexual and labour exploitation is a criminal offence in the United Kingdom; further welcomes the opening of the United Kingdom Human Trafficking Centre, but is dismayed at the lack of measures needed to protect and support people who have been trafficked into the country, including safe housing and emergency medical support; and calls upon the Government urgently to sign and ratify the new Council of Europe Convention Against Trafficking, signed by 30 members of the Council of Europe, which is specifically aimed at protecting trafficked people's rights.

That this House notes with concern that trafficking of women, children and men is a growing problem in the United Kingdom and that an estimated 4,000 people are trafficked into the United Kingdom annually; welcomes the fact that trafficking for sexual and labour exploitation is a criminal offence in the...

That this House expresses grave concern at the current situation in Ethiopia which resulted in the killing of at least 46 people in last week's anti-government protests; condemns all violence, whether by security forces or demonstrators; urges the Ethiopian government to release all political detainees; calls on the Ethiopian government to allow immediate access to the International Red Cross to jailed opposition leaders, civil society and media leaders; urges the Government to provide notification to families of names and whereabouts of detainees together with appropriate access and provision of humanitarian needs; calls upon the Ethiopian government to initiate an independent investigation arising from recent events and events in June; and further urges the Ethiopian government to reinstate a free media.

That this House expresses grave concern at the current situation in Ethiopia which resulted in the killing of at least 46 people in last week's anti-government protests; condemns all violence, whether by security forces or demonstrators; urges the Ethiopian government to release all political detainees; calls on the Ethiopian government...

That this House expresses serious concern that millions of holidaymakers are flying without travel protection due to recent changes in the travel sector; notes that, if an airline were to go bankrupt, UK consumers would be stranded abroad, with significant financial and political implications for the taxpayer; welcomes the Civil Aviation Authority's advice to the Government to introduce a modest levy on all outbound UK flights until a self-financing fund is established; further notes that this cheap and proportionate solution will cover 100 per cent. of UK air travellers; further notes that consumers value financial protection for air travel; commends the strong support in the travel sector for these proposals; and calls on the Government to legislate to protect UK consumers at the earliest opportunity.

That this House expresses serious concern that millions of holidaymakers are flying without travel protection due to recent changes in the travel sector; notes that, if an airline were to go bankrupt, UK consumers would be stranded abroad, with significant financial and political implications for the taxpayer; welcomes the Civil...

That this House notes the leading role which Britain played in the transatlantic slave trade and that millions of enslaved persons passed through the ports of Bristol, Liverpool and London; further notes that a large proportion of Britain's black community are descendants of enslaved Africans; recognises that slavery is a crime against humanity; notes that many people of all communities in Britain want to learn about the history of slavery; calls on the Government to make the teaching of the slave trade and plantation slavery, mandatory as part of the national curriculum; commends the national museums and galleries on Merseyside for promoting National Memorial Slavery Day; and further calls upon the Government to initiate a National Memorial Slavery Day so that people throughout the country will learn about and remember the horrors of slavery.

That this House notes the leading role which Britain played in the transatlantic slave trade and that millions of enslaved persons passed through the ports of Bristol, Liverpool and London; further notes that a large proportion of Britain's black community are descendants of enslaved Africans; recognises that slavery is a...

That this House congratulates, Everton, Liverpool, Tranmere, Arsenal, Manchester United, Newcastle, Leeds and Watford for promoting Holocaust Memorial Day; recognises these clubs were ably supported by the Holocaust Education Trust, ran initiatives such as tannoy and big screen announcements and articles in their match-day programmes that asked fans to remember the victims of the Holocaust and more recent genocides; commends the clubs for warning where the dangers of anti-semitism, racism and prejudice can lead; praises the unique joint project, Everton and Liverpool are running through their poster competition with local schools around the themes of Holocaust Memorial Day; supports Michael Dunford, Chief Executive of Everton who declared that the 'two great Merseyside rivals are putting footballing differences aside to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day and are working together to ensure that our fans, local schools and players never forget the Holocaust'; applauds all these clubs; and urges more professional football clubs, next year, to be involved in the promotion of National Holocaust Memorial Day.

That this House congratulates, Everton, Liverpool, Tranmere, Arsenal, Manchester United, Newcastle, Leeds and Watford for promoting Holocaust Memorial Day; recognises these clubs were ably supported by the Holocaust Education Trust, ran initiatives such as tannoy and big screen announcements and articles in their match-day programmes that asked fans to remember...

That this House notes the urgent need to deliver improvements in the public services provided by local authorities to create a level playing field between different procurement options and significantly to increase the overall level of capital investment in public services such as schools, homes, transport, libraries, parks, sports facilities, and information and communications technology; and calls on Her Majesty's Government to find the legislative time necessary to replace the system of capital controls on local authorities with the prudential framework that was proposed in the local government finance green paper and that was so widely supported by the consultation responses.

That this House notes the urgent need to deliver improvements in the public services provided by local authorities to create a level playing field between different procurement options and significantly to increase the overall level of capital investment in public services such as schools, homes, transport, libraries, parks, sports facilities,...

That this House welcomes the launch of the Campaign for the English Regions on 7th March; backs the call for directly-elected regional assemblies; supports the current work undertaken by campaigns and constitutional conventions in the different English regions; and welcomes efforts to enable the regions of England to have devolved government appropriate to their needs, following the precedent set by Scotland, Wales and London, together with effective local government responsive to communities.

That this House welcomes the launch of the Campaign for the English Regions on 7th March; backs the call for directly-elected regional assemblies; supports the current work undertaken by campaigns and constitutional conventions in the different English regions; and welcomes efforts to enable the regions of England to have devolved...