That this House notes that, alone amongst EU members states, the Netherlands has implemented EU Regulation 3254/91 requiring a ban on the import of furs from animals caught in inhumane leghold traps; further notes that the Commission's decision to delay the ban is anyway of dubious legality; deplores the British Government's failure to follow the Dutch lead, despite its stated support for the ban; calls upon the Government to implement the ban at once; and urges Ministers to use their influence in the Council of Ministers to persuade other member states to implement the ban.

That this House notes that, alone amongst EU members states, the Netherlands has implemented EU Regulation 3254/91 requiring a ban on the import of furs from animals caught in inhumane leghold traps; further notes that the Commission's decision to delay the ban is anyway of dubious legality; deplores the British...

That this House notes that British women are paying the price of the Maastricht summit, because the EC has allowed the United Kingdom a third `opt-out', in addition to the Social Chapter and the single currency, by agreeing to an opt-out from providing equal pensions for British women and men in a protocol which amends the Treaty of Rome to exempt British and occupational pension funds from the requirement to treat men and women equally on all contributions paid before 17th May 1990, thereby effectively blocking the Barber judgement and postponing equality for another 40 years, until contributions are built from a 1990 starting point; and recognises that this protocol applies only to the United Kingdom and the Netherlands since the other 10 countries already have equal rights and have no intention of removing them.

That this House notes that British women are paying the price of the Maastricht summit, because the EC has allowed the United Kingdom a third `opt-out', in addition to the Social Chapter and the single currency, by agreeing to an opt-out from providing equal pensions for British women and men...

That this House welcomes the Maastricht Statement on racism and xenophobia and the Council's reaffirmation of the European Parliament, Council and Commission's declaration against racism and xenophobia on 11th June 1986, and the declaration issued in Dublin on 26th June 1990 expressing its revulsion against racist sentiments and manifestations, finding these manifestations including expressions of prejudice and violence against foreign immigrants and exploitation of them unacceptable; further welcomes the European Council's expressed conviction that respect for human dignity is essential to the Europe of the Community, and that combating discrimination in all its forms is therefore vital to the European Community, as a community of states governed by the rule of law, and the European Council's consideration that it is necessary that the governments and parliaments of the member states should act clearly and unambiguously to counter the growth of sentiments of racism and xenophobia; further recognises its obligation to pursue and counter racism and xenophobia; and therefore welcomes the formation of the Anti-Racist Alliance. which has been established to co-ordinate activities against racism in Britain.

That this House welcomes the Maastricht Statement on racism and xenophobia and the Council's reaffirmation of the European Parliament, Council and Commission's declaration against racism and xenophobia on 11th June 1986, and the declaration issued in Dublin on 26th June 1990 expressing its revulsion against racist sentiments and manifestations, finding...

That this House welcomes the Prime Minister's statement that he is committed to the principle of subsidiarity, which is defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as, 'the principle that a central authority should have a subsidiary function, performing only those tasks which cannot be performed more effectively at a more immediate or local level', but regrets that he appears not to understand the implications of such a commitment; notes that the principle applies with equal strength to relationships within the United Kingdom as it does to relationships within the European Community generally; notes that the principle has been breached repeatedly in the way this Conservative Government has undermined the work of local government and the independence of action of people elected by local communities to represent their interests; also believes that the Conservative Party has done great damage to public confidence within Wales by excessive use of unaccountable nominated bodies; and calls on the Prime Minister to recognise that the unity of the United Kingdom will be strengthened rather than weakened by a proper understanding and effective application of the principle of subsidiarity as well as a fresh commitment to democracy and accountability.

That this House welcomes the Prime Minister's statement that he is committed to the principle of subsidiarity, which is defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as, 'the principle that a central authority should have a subsidiary function, performing only those tasks which cannot be performed more effectively at a more...

That this House deplores the extreme bias of the BBC Breakfast Time television broadcast from 8 a.m. to 8.45 a.m. on Wednesday, 11th December following the Maastricht Summit, which was nothing but a party political broadcast for the Prime Minister and the Tory party; considers that it made no attempt whatsoever to explain to viewers how the Social Chapter affected women, workers' rights, a minimum wage, young people, part-time jobs, overtime, maternity leave or any other aspects; notes that even the papers were reviewed by Sir Bernard Ingham, the former Prime Minster's aide; and regrets that, apart from a two minute interview with the Shadow Minister of Employment, the producers and presenters neglected to give a level playing field to the other side of the argument.

That this House deplores the extreme bias of the BBC Breakfast Time television broadcast from 8 a.m. to 8.45 a.m. on Wednesday, 11th December following the Maastricht Summit, which was nothing but a party political broadcast for the Prime Minister and the Tory party; considers that it made no attempt...