That this House congratulates the Woodcraft Folk for its 80-year long contribution to the development of the youth of this country toward active citizenship; notes that this national organisation is one of the few that have truly empowered young people via its commitment to international understanding through well recognised children's and youth exchanges; also notes that in the year of the volunteer the Woodcraft Folk is featured as an exemplary case study on the Government's Sustainable Development website; is alarmed that despite all these facts Woodcraft Folk funding from the Department for Education and Skills through the National Voluntary Youth Organisations Grant Scheme has been withdrawn in this current funding round and for the next three years; and calls upon the Government to review this decision as a matter of urgency so that the valuable work of the Woodcraft Folk can continue.

That this House congratulates the Woodcraft Folk for its 80-year long contribution to the development of the youth of this country toward active citizenship; notes that this national organisation is one of the few that have truly empowered young people via its commitment to international understanding through well recognised children's...

That this House is dismayed that the Government has resumed deportations to Zimbabwe despite increasing intimidation and brutality by ZANU-PF gangs; is alarmed that individuals who escaped with their lives should be reconsigned to threatening circumstances; notes that one such is Edneth Gotora whose husband was beaten to death by ZANU-PF thugs for no more than distributing leaflets, whilst her infant daughter was injured so badly that she died weeks later from injuries sustained during the attack; further notes that the culprits were apprehended but released immediately on bail whereupon they returned and abducted Edneth to a rehabilitation camp where she was raped and brutalised by the `commandant' and his henchmen such that she had to be hospitalised; further notes that, with assistance from an orderly, Edneth escaped and hid herself prior to making her way successfully to England; regrets that Edneth's plea for asylum was refused on the grounds that her husband was now dead and that she is now safe; is aware that a petition of 17,500 signatures is to be presented to the Home Office by the Reverend Sheila Maxey, Moderator of the General Assembly of the United Reform Church; recognises that, while the Government pays lip service to the issues of domestic violence there is violence on a national scale in Zimbabwe, yet Edneth seems destined to be despatched to the same dangerous circumstances from which she escaped; and therefore calls upon the Home Secretary to exercise his discretion under the law to grant this much wronged lady the shelter she so desperately needs.

That this House is dismayed that the Government has resumed deportations to Zimbabwe despite increasing intimidation and brutality by ZANU-PF gangs; is alarmed that individuals who escaped with their lives should be reconsigned to threatening circumstances; notes that one such is Edneth Gotora whose husband was beaten to death by...

That this House welcomes the Small Scale Renewable Energy Developments (Permitted Development) Bill introduced into the House by a cross-party group of honourable Members; notes that the Bill will grant permitted development status to such developments and therefore enable people to install them far more easily; notes too that the Bill promotes safeguards to ensure that visual, environmental and noise effects of such developments will be minimal; and believes that microgeneration is an exciting new way of combating climate change and of engaging people in achieving this objective.

That this House welcomes the Small Scale Renewable Energy Developments (Permitted Development) Bill introduced into the House by a cross-party group of honourable Members; notes that the Bill will grant permitted development status to such developments and therefore enable people to install them far more easily; notes too that the...

That this House notes that Chantal McCorkle, a British citizen, was sentenced to 24 years and four months imprisonment in the United States for offences which might carry only a suspended sentence in the UK; further notes that the judge who sentenced her in 1999 expressed disquiet at the sentence that she felt obliged to give; further notes that recent cases of Blakely and Booker in the United States Supreme Court cast doubt on the sentencing guidelines then used and give grounds for an appeal; and urges the Government to support Chantal's lawyers and press the United States legal system to hear Chantal's appeal against sentence as expeditiously as possible and to ensure that no barriers are placed to Chantal's transfer to the UK to serve whatever remaining sentence she has after her appeal.

That this House notes that Chantal McCorkle, a British citizen, was sentenced to 24 years and four months imprisonment in the United States for offences which might carry only a suspended sentence in the UK; further notes that the judge who sentenced her in 1999 expressed disquiet at the sentence...

That this House notes the renewed attempt to take over Manchester United PLC by Malcolm Glazer and his company Tampa Bay Buccaneers American football franchise; recognises that senior players, Ryan Giggs and Rio Ferdinand, have spoken out against the bid; recalls that the overwhelming majority of Manchester United supporters oppose the bid; believes that any takeover designed to transform the club into a private company would be against the interests of supporters and football; considers that profit increases in ticket and merchandise prices in order to increase shareholder return would conflict with the club's wider obligations; accepts that football clubs differ from other trading companies in owing real accountability to their customers, the supporters; calls upon the Premier League and the football authorities to use the powers that they have to ensure that full information about the benefits and disbenefits of this bid to football in general and Manchester United in particular be placed in the public domain; is aware that bankers, N M Rothschild, are backing this bid; calls on them to issue a statement explaining how they intend to measure support for this takeover from football supporters in line with statements that that is their intention; and reiterates its request to the Department of Trade and Industry to take steps to regulate any takeover on public interest grounds.

That this House notes the renewed attempt to take over Manchester United PLC by Malcolm Glazer and his company Tampa Bay Buccaneers American football franchise; recognises that senior players, Ryan Giggs and Rio Ferdinand, have spoken out against the bid; recalls that the overwhelming majority of Manchester United supporters oppose...

That this House welcomes the recent report of the Environment Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee on the draft Animal Welfare Bill; notes its recommendation that external, independent regulation of all greyhound tracks is essential; welcomes its call that draft statutory regulations should be published as soon as possible; and urges the Government to accept the Select Committee's recommendations.

That this House welcomes the recent report of the Environment Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee on the draft Animal Welfare Bill; notes its recommendation that external, independent regulation of all greyhound tracks is essential; welcomes its call that draft statutory regulations should be published as soon as possible; and...

That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, praying that the Local Government Pension Scheme (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 3372), dated 17th December 2004, a copy of which was laid before this House on 22nd December, be annulled.

That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, praying that the Local Government Pension Scheme (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 3372), dated 17th December 2004, a copy of which was laid before this House on 22nd December, be annulled.

That this House notes with concern the report by the World Wildlife Fund which found that key species in the United Kingdom seas are under serious threat with 13 of the 16 species and habitats investigated in decline, including reefs and salt marshes; further notes that the blame for damage to marine habitats is being placed on coastal developments, trawling and dredging, aquaculture, and oil and gas exploitation; and calls on the Government to work with marine conservationists and other interested parties to ensure that marine protection is at the forefront of the forthcoming Marine Policy Bill.

That this House notes with concern the report by the World Wildlife Fund which found that key species in the United Kingdom seas are under serious threat with 13 of the 16 species and habitats investigated in decline, including reefs and salt marshes; further notes that the blame for damage...

That this House notes the vital role played by carers throughout the UK; recognises that much of the work performed by an estimated six million carers goes unnoticed with only minimal financial support; welcomes the package of measures included in the National Strategy for Carers; and calls on the Government to look urgently into increasing financial support for carers, encouraging carers to take up the ??660 in unclaimed benefits that are open to them, and further improve the means of support and assistance for carers.

That this House notes the vital role played by carers throughout the UK; recognises that much of the work performed by an estimated six million carers goes unnoticed with only minimal financial support; welcomes the package of measures included in the National Strategy for Carers; and calls on the Government...

That this House acknowledges all the work done by many honourable Members to persuade the Government to strengthen road safety law; believes that the Transport Committee's recent report, Traffic Law and its Enforcement sheds light on gaps in current law, in particular the absence of an offence of causing death by careless driving; is alarmed that because of this lacuna in the law, when 17-year-old Alexine Melnik was killed by a careless driver, the court was able only to fine that driver and put points on his licence; believes that this valued Alexine's life far too cheaply; recognises that the Road Safety Bill provides a prime opportunity to change the law; and calls upon the Government to support an amendment to the Bill to fill the gap and create an offence of causing death by careless driving.

That this House acknowledges all the work done by many honourable Members to persuade the Government to strengthen road safety law; believes that the Transport Committee's recent report, Traffic Law and its Enforcement sheds light on gaps in current law, in particular the absence of an offence of causing death...

That this House notes with great concern recent press reports which indicate that the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is planning to privatise the Diplomatic Bag Service; considers that this will place the security of documents sent by the Government at greater risk of unauthorised access; believes in these times of heightened national security that the public sector has a proven track record of delivering an effective efficient service; and urges the Government to reconsider seriously this proposal and abandon all plans to hand over control of the Diplomatic Bag Service to the private sector.

That this House notes with great concern recent press reports which indicate that the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is planning to privatise the Diplomatic Bag Service; considers that this will place the security of documents sent by the Government at greater risk of unauthorised access; believes in these times of...

That this House welcomes the recent launch of the Joint Position Statements on Young Carers; notes that this partnership between the Princes Royal Trust for Carers, the Children's Society and the Disabled Parents Network illustrates the voluntary sector's leadership in working together to provide whole-family, preventative support for young carers and their families; applauds the Department for Education and Skills for funding this initiative; recognises that the vast majority of the United Kingdom's 175,000 young carers endure their entire childhoods unsupported and receive no form of assessment, a fact highlighted by the latest report from the Young Carers Research Group; regrets that services for adults and services for children often struggle to work in partnership, especially where a local authority does not have a protocol for joint working; believes that disabled parents should be able to access the support they need to enable them to get their children to school and that young carers should receive appropriate recognition and support once at school; and calls for services that support adults to recognise that many fo their clients are parents and require support with that role in order to prevent their children having to take on inappropriate caring roles.

That this House welcomes the recent launch of the Joint Position Statements on Young Carers; notes that this partnership between the Princes Royal Trust for Carers, the Children's Society and the Disabled Parents Network illustrates the voluntary sector's leadership in working together to provide whole-family, preventative support for young carers...

That this House deplores and condemns the reported damage to the site of the ancient city of Babylon caused by the contruction of a US military base; and believes that it is the duty of Coalition forces in Iraq to respect and protect all historic sites within a country which is recognised as one of the greatest cradles of world civilisation.

That this House deplores and condemns the reported damage to the site of the ancient city of Babylon caused by the contruction of a US military base; and believes that it is the duty of Coalition forces in Iraq to respect and protect all historic sites within a country which...

That this House believes that British pensioners living in Canada, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Zimbabwe suffer unfairly because the value of their pensions is frozen and not up-rated annually in line with inflation; notes that approximately 480,000 out of Britain's 900,000 expatriate pensioners live in these five countries; considers that treating these pensioners differently from those living in other countries is a grave injustice; and urges the Government to expand the up-rating of pensions for all British pensioners living abroad.

That this House believes that British pensioners living in Canada, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Zimbabwe suffer unfairly because the value of their pensions is frozen and not up-rated annually in line with inflation; notes that approximately 480,000 out of Britain's 900,000 expatriate pensioners live in these five countries;...

That this House congratulates the Ovarian cancer action (HHMT) and WellBeing of Women for organising the third annual Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, which will run for the duration of March; notes that approximately 7,000 women are diagnosed each year in the UK with the disease, and that five year survival rates are approximately 30 per cent.; recognises that, although in the past, ovarian cancer has been known as the silent killer, new reseach now shows that most women do experience early symptoms, and that hence the theme for the month is breaking the silence, encouraging women and their doctors to notice the symptoms of the disease in its early stages, when prognosis is much improved; is alerted to the fact that no specific primary care referral guidelines exist for the disease; and further congratulates members of both charities for taking part in events across the country to raise money for research.

That this House congratulates the Ovarian cancer action (HHMT) and WellBeing of Women for organising the third annual Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, which will run for the duration of March; notes that approximately 7,000 women are diagnosed each year in the UK with the disease, and that five year survival...

That this House welcomes the introduction of the National Service Framework for Long Term Conditions; is concerned however that the average GP has little or no experience of myasthenia gravis, an extremely debilitating, neuro-muscular disease that causes severe and fluctuating muscle weakness that can be fatal; regrets that lack of knowledge of this condition prevents many myasthenics from accessing benefits, social services and early diagnosis; is dismayed that there is no Government funding for the charity Myasthenia Gravis Association that provides literature, advice, helpline and contact facilities to address this need; and calls on the Government to raise public awareness of this disease to ensure the health and welfare problems of myasthenics are recognised and dealt with quickly.

That this House welcomes the introduction of the National Service Framework for Long Term Conditions; is concerned however that the average GP has little or no experience of myasthenia gravis, an extremely debilitating, neuro-muscular disease that causes severe and fluctuating muscle weakness that can be fatal; regrets that lack of...

That this House welcomes the changes to the law relating to leaseholders which comes into force on 28th February as part of the remaining provisions of the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002, especially welcoming the vitally important changes to nominated insurance; notes that landlords will no longer be able to dictate to leaseholders which insurance company they should use and threaten them into complying; and recognises that this is excellent news for many leaseholders throughout the UK who have been pestered, harassed and threatened with court action from landlords who choose to act oppressively and unreasonably.

That this House welcomes the changes to the law relating to leaseholders which comes into force on 28th February as part of the remaining provisions of the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002, especially welcoming the vitally important changes to nominated insurance; notes that landlords will no longer be able...

That this House applauds Cancer Research UK on the launch of its Reduce the Risk campaign to raise awareness of the avoidable risks of cancer and the importance of early detection; recognises that one in three of us will be diagnosed with cancer at some time in our lives, but that half of all cancers could be prevented by changes to lifestyle; supports the campaign's five key measures on reducing your risk, which are to stop smoking, stay in shape, eat and drink healthily, be sunsmart and be body aware; and calls on the Government to prioritise cancer prevention and to support the long-term public communication campaigns on healthy living.

That this House applauds Cancer Research UK on the launch of its Reduce the Risk campaign to raise awareness of the avoidable risks of cancer and the importance of early detection; recognises that one in three of us will be diagnosed with cancer at some time in our lives, but...

That this House welcomes the significant decision of the European Union to create the conditions for the re-establishment of a constructive dialogue with the government of Cuba; applauds the recent positive role played by the UK Government in moving towards efforts to normalise relations with Cuba; calls on the Government to strengthen and defend British business interests with Cuba and ensure that companies and individuals are not penalised in any way by US extra-territorial legislation that attempts to obstruct trade with the island; believes the Government should build upon existing Anglo-Cuban efforts to combat drug trafficking and trans-national criminal activities in the region as a welcome example of successful bilateral co-operation; and further calls on the Government to continue to support and promote this work in the EU.

That this House welcomes the significant decision of the European Union to create the conditions for the re-establishment of a constructive dialogue with the government of Cuba; applauds the recent positive role played by the UK Government in moving towards efforts to normalise relations with Cuba; calls on the Government...

That this House notes the Government's statement in its Review of the Climate Change Programme that the new statutory duty to take reasonable steps to achieve an increase of at least 20 per cent. in residential energy efficiency in England by 2010 from a 2000 baseline 'will require even greater levels of energy efficiency improvement than our existing aim'; further notes that a stamp duty rebate for house buyers who install energy saving measures is recommended by the Energy Saving Trust, the Association for the Conservation of Energy and the Sustainable Energy Partnership as being the best way of achieving the installation of more energy efficiency products, particularly cavity wall and solid wall insulation; recalls that the Energy White Paper described energy efficiency as the 'cheapest, cleanest and safest way' of achieving all energy policy objectives,; notes that 75 per cent. of first-time buyers now pay stamp duty compared to only 18 per cent. 10 years ago; and believes that measures to make the necessary adjustments to stamp duty should be implemented.

That this House notes the Government's statement in its Review of the Climate Change Programme that the new statutory duty to take reasonable steps to achieve an increase of at least 20 per cent. in residential energy efficiency in England by 2010 from a 2000 baseline 'will require even greater...