That this House supports calls from the Terence Higgins Trust and the Independent Advisory Group on Sexual Health and HIV to reduce VAT charged on condoms; recognises that due to its position as an EU member state, the UK cannot entirely remove VAT on condoms but can reduce it to 5 per cent.; understands that sexually transmitted infections cost around ??1 billion to treat annually in the UK, while HIV care costs are ??350 million and rising; recognises that the high cost of contraceptives disproportionately disadvantages the young; and as a measure to reduce the consideration of cost as a factor in an individual's decision to practise safer sex, calls on the Government to reduce VAT charged on condoms to 5 per cent.

That this House supports calls from the Terence Higgins Trust and the Independent Advisory Group on Sexual Health and HIV to reduce VAT charged on condoms; recognises that due to its position as an EU member state, the UK cannot entirely remove VAT on condoms but can reduce it to...

That this House notes that in response to concerns raised by honourable Members about the validity of the case made for war, the Prime Minister referred to House to the findings of the Iraq Survey Group (ISG), for example stating on 21st January that it was the job of the Iraq Survey Group to find out what has happened, which it will do; notes that the ISG makes it clear that it found no evidence that Iraq sought uranium abroad after the first Gulf War in 1991, stating that it has uncovered no information to support allegations of Iraqi pursuit of uranium from abroad in the post-Operation Desert Storm era; further notes that the ISG report goes on to state it it had found only one offer of uranium to Baghdad since 1991, an approach which Iraq appeared to have turned down; further notes that the Government has provided no evidence to rebut this finding but is now relying on the conclusion of the Government appointed Butler Committee; but notes that Lord Butler's conclusions on the uranium claim only refer to the credibility of UK and US assertions made prior to 7th March 2003, the date the International Atomic Energy Agency revealed forged intelligence documents; and therefore calls on the Government to provide new evidence to counter the Iraq Survey Group findings or withdraw their isolated claim that Iraq sought to procure uranium from Africa.

That this House notes that in response to concerns raised by honourable Members about the validity of the case made for war, the Prime Minister referred to House to the findings of the Iraq Survey Group (ISG), for example stating on 21st January that it was the job of the...

That this House supports the Park the Car, Park the Charges Campaign by Action for Sick Children; notes that a telephone audit of 67 hospital trusts done by Action for Sick Children revealed that some hospital trusts are charging flat rates of around ??2 an hour, bringing a 24-hour stay to around ??50, whilst some trusts only charge ??1 per day, and that the average parking charge for a 24 hour stay was ??8.50 with more than a third of respondents charging more than ??10 per day; notes that for many parents, when a child needs hospital treatment, public transport does not allow them to juggle work commitments and looking after other children; and therefore calls on the Government both to radically improve public transport and to direct hospital trusts to replace unnecessary parking costs with family-friendly provisions for parents visiting a child in hospital.

That this House supports the Park the Car, Park the Charges Campaign by Action for Sick Children; notes that a telephone audit of 67 hospital trusts done by Action for Sick Children revealed that some hospital trusts are charging flat rates of around ??2 an hour, bringing a 24-hour stay...

That this House warmly congratulates the oldest national mental health charity Maca on its 125 years of providing community-based services to adults with a mental illness; commends the pioneering vision of Maca's founder Rev Henry Hawkins in identifying and articulating the need of people leaving institutional care to be given support in the community to assist their rehabilitation into society, a vision which remains as relevant today as it was in 1879; supports Hawkins' vision that people with a mental illness should be able to enjoy life's everyday ordinary associations; salutes the work of Maca's 850 staff in providing innovative services to adults with all types of mental health problems; recognises the role Maca plays in combating stigma and discrimination amongst the public; applauds Maca for viewing its clients as whole people and for actively seeking their views to inform how services are delivered; and looks forward to Maca taking forward its vision of mental health service delivery, which has at its core the right to autonomy of people with mental health needs.

That this House warmly congratulates the oldest national mental health charity Maca on its 125 years of providing community-based services to adults with a mental illness; commends the pioneering vision of Maca's founder Rev Henry Hawkins in identifying and articulating the need of people leaving institutional care to be given...

That this House supports the recommendation of the International Development Select Committee's Second Report of Session 2003-04 that Israel's preferential terms of trade with the EU should be suspended until Israel lifts the movement restrictions placed on Palestinian trade; notes that the EU-Israel Association Agreement is an extensive free trade agreement which includes the liberalisation of goods and services, the free movement of capital, rules on competition, economic and social co-operation, political dialogue and cultural co-operation and came into force on 1st June 2000; further notes that Israel has long been in violation of the aspect of the agreement which states that relations between the parties, as well as all the provisions of the agreement itself, shall be based on respect for human rights in relation to their internal and international policy; is concerned that Israel's restrictions on the movement of Palestinian goods, its destruction of Palestinian infrastructure and its total control of the Occupied Palestinian Territory's borders are denying Palestinian exporters access to EU markets; recognises that EU exports to Israel, which are greater in value than EU imports from Israel, might suffer retaliatory action; but shares the view of the International Development Select Committee that the EU's short-term economic self-interest with one trading partner should not take precedence over a direct challenge to its trade policy in the region and its trade obligations to the Palestinian Authority; and therefore urges the United Kingdom Government to propose the suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement to the EU Council of Trade Ministers.

That this House supports the recommendation of the International Development Select Committee's Second Report of Session 2003-04 that Israel's preferential terms of trade with the EU should be suspended until Israel lifts the movement restrictions placed on Palestinian trade; notes that the EU-Israel Association Agreement is an extensive free trade...

That this House notes that the monitoring evidence collected by the International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN), a network of more than 200 groups in over 100 countries, demonstrates that companies continue to market baby food products in breach of the World Health Assembly International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes and subsequent relevant resolutions; also notes that where there is malpractice it is systematic and institutionalised and that, globally, 1.5 million infants die every year because they are not breastfed, and that even in industrialised countries with universal access to health care, there are significant negative effects of artificial infant feeding, including increased risk of diabetes and obesity; is concerned that UK law only implements some provisions of the Code, limiting these to infant formula, not all breastmilk substitutes, and that follow-on formula, with similar packaging and the same name as the infant formula, is widely advertised, that bottles and teat marketing is totally unregulated, and that while the Code bans direct contact with the mother, UK companies have baby clubs and carelines; therefore calls on the Government to support independently monitored and enforced legislation fully implementing the Code and resolutions at UK, EU and international level and additional WHA resolutions to strengthen protection of appropriate infant feeding practices, to address emerging aggressive baby milk food marketing, to make appropriate policy changes in response to scientific developments, and to take action to ensure that EU Council Resolution 92/C172/01 on the marketing of breastmilk substitutes in third countries by community-based manufacturers functions effectively.

That this House notes that the monitoring evidence collected by the International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN), a network of more than 200 groups in over 100 countries, demonstrates that companies continue to market baby food products in breach of the World Health Assembly International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk...

That this House notes with concern that 21 million hens are currently condemned to a miserable existence in battery cages with almost no space to stretch their wings, move around or behave in a natural way; welcomes the proposed ban across Europe from 2012 of conventional battery cages; however notes that so-called enriched battery cages which allow only a little more room than conventional battery systems still do not meet the welfare needs of the hens; therefore supports the RSPCA call for an unconditional ban on all cages and for battery systems to be replaced with free-range and barn systems, which allow birds to move around and express normal behaviour; encourages egg producers to put into practice higher welfare alternative systems such as barn and free range prior to legislative changes; welcomes the recent introduction of compulsory labelling of eggs to provide consumers with relevant information about the farming method; and calls on Her Majesty's Government to follow the lead of Germany and bring forward the ban on all cages by 2012 at the very latest.

That this House notes with concern that 21 million hens are currently condemned to a miserable existence in battery cages with almost no space to stretch their wings, move around or behave in a natural way; welcomes the proposed ban across Europe from 2012 of conventional battery cages; however notes...

That this House deplores the racist comments directed at Arab people, made in the 4th January edition of the Sunday Express by BBC presenter, Mr Robert Kilroy-Silk, branding over 200 million ordinary individuals as 'suicide bombers, limb amputators, women repressors'; views with contempt his abhorrent contention that Arab states and their populace 'murdered more than 3,000 civilians on 11th September and then danced in the hot, dusty streets to celebrate'; and calls upon the BBC to consider Mr Kilroy-Silk's position within the Corporation.

That this House deplores the racist comments directed at Arab people, made in the 4th January edition of the Sunday Express by BBC presenter, Mr Robert Kilroy-Silk, branding over 200 million ordinary individuals as 'suicide bombers, limb amputators, women repressors'; views with contempt his abhorrent contention that Arab states and...

That this House commends the Forensic Science Service for its unmatched international reputation as a world leader in DNA research contributing to large numbers of criminal convictions; is concerned about the Government's plans to turn the service into a private sector company under a public private partnership; notes the lack of provisions in the plans to prevent the Service being split up or sold to inappropriate companies or to provide for a quality assurance regulator overseeing research work and the sharing of intelligence; believes services central to combating crime should remain in the public sector to ensure the benefits of pooled resources and a collaborative approach are maintained; notes that the service made a surplus of ??10.2 million in the last accounting year, from which ??5 million was invested in new computers and ??5 million returned to the Treasury, whilst the proposed change would create shareholders who would want a return on their investment; further notes that the National Audit Office report on the Forensic Science Service did not find anything uncommercial about the way in which the Service operated, finding that 'The Forensic Science Service has a rigorous business development process to help ensure the best use of limited resources'; and calls on the Government to lift the existing borrowing constraints which prevent this hugely successful public agency from raising the estimated ??20 to ??30 million capital investment the McFarland Report considers it needs, thereby allowing the Forensic Science Service to remain a public sector body whilst continuing to be self-financing.

That this House commends the Forensic Science Service for its unmatched international reputation as a world leader in DNA research contributing to large numbers of criminal convictions; is concerned about the Government's plans to turn the service into a private sector company under a public private partnership; notes the lack...

That this House welcomes Mind's and Health Which?'s report, The Hidden Costs of Mental Health, but is deeply concerned by its findings, including that 83 per cent. of the people with experience of mental distress surveyed who had not had the care or treatment they needed felt that either their recovery or their ability to cope had been adversely affected and that 59 per cent. of this group had not received these treatments because they could not afford them, 19 per cent. because they were not offered, 14 per cent. because they were not readily available and 13 per cent. because their GP refused them or thought them unnecessary; and urges the Government, the National Institute for Mental Health, the National Health Service in Wales, primary care organisations, GPs and the National Health Service in England and Wales to consider carefully Mind's recommendations on prescription charging, alternatives to medication, broadening the range and availability of treatments in primary care, primary care staff training involving people with experience of mental distress, the adoption of Mind's Prescribing Protocol and investment in talking treatments.

That this House welcomes Mind's and Health Which?'s report, The Hidden Costs of Mental Health, but is deeply concerned by its findings, including that 83 per cent. of the people with experience of mental distress surveyed who had not had the care or treatment they needed felt that either their...

That this House notes that plastic bags sent to landfill take around 500 years to decay and that the UK uses 500 million of these each week; congratulates the Republic of Ireland for introducing a tax on disposable carrier bags which has reduced their use by 90 per cent.; notes that the Irish tax has generally been popular and well received as it has reduced both litter and waste and that approximately ??5.7 million, to be spent on environmental initiatives, was raised during the first four months of the scheme; believes that a tax policy is the best way of reducing the 26 billion disposable carrier bags used in the UK per year; and therefore calls on the UK Treasury to implement a carrier bag tax based on the success of the Irish experience as soon as possible.

That this House notes that plastic bags sent to landfill take around 500 years to decay and that the UK uses 500 million of these each week; congratulates the Republic of Ireland for introducing a tax on disposable carrier bags which has reduced their use by 90 per cent.; notes...

That this House, whilst congratulating India on its 53rd year as a democratic republic after gaining independence from British colonial rule in 1947, is concerned that the question of self-determination for the people of Kashmir remains unresolved, which is not only a tragedy for the people of Kashmir but also seriously impedes development in both India and Pakistan as a result of the huge proportion of national incomes that goes on military spending; recognises that the dispute over Kashmir is potentially the gravest faced by the world, with both India and Pakistan having nuclear weapons and the capacity to deliver them; urges Pakistan to continue to clamp down on terrorism emanating from its side of the line of control and India to permit monitoring on its side by international human rights organisations; believes that Indian Republic Day would be a fitting occasion for India to commit itself to talks with Pakistan on all the issues that divide them, including Kashmir; and urges the UK Government to assist this process by offering to facilitate such dialogue.

That this House, whilst congratulating India on its 53rd year as a democratic republic after gaining independence from British colonial rule in 1947, is concerned that the question of self-determination for the people of Kashmir remains unresolved, which is not only a tragedy for the people of Kashmir but also...

That this House supports the statement from the Refugee Council, Shelter, Amnesty International UK, Asylum Rights Campaign, CRISIS, JCORE, JCWI, Maternity Alliance, Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture, Migrant Helpline, Oxfam, Refugee Action and Refugee Arrivals Project against the Government's decision to deprive destitute in-country asylum applicants of the right to food and shelter from 8th January, notes that the National Asylum Support Service is only available to people who show they would otherwise be destitute and people who lose this support through the operation of section 55 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 will have nothing else to turn to; is deeply concerned that section 55 will effect all in-country applicants who represent two-thirds of those applying for asylum; notes that refugees are often unable to claim asylum at ports of entry for the reasons cited by the 1996 Social Security Advisory Committee, including lack of knowledge of the UK asylum process, language difficulties and trauma; further notes that this is supported by official figures showing that 65 per cent. of all successful claims, including exceptional leave to remain, are made by in-country applicants; regrets that the Government focus on deterrence of people seeking asylum has seen a more punitive philosophy take hold of government policy; notes that this has had no long-term effect in reducing numbers of asylum applications but has had a detrimental effect on the well-being of refugees; and believes that all asylum applicants should have their cases considered fairly and be treated with dignity.

That this House supports the statement from the Refugee Council, Shelter, Amnesty International UK, Asylum Rights Campaign, CRISIS, JCORE, JCWI, Maternity Alliance, Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture, Migrant Helpline, Oxfam, Refugee Action and Refugee Arrivals Project against the Government's decision to deprive destitute in-country asylum applicants...

That this House notes the recent report from the Commission for Integrated Transport; and acknowledges the desire to provide half-price travel to students and unemployed people, but supports the call from the national Pensioners Convention that the Government should reject any suggestions that pensioners and disabled people should lose their existing entitlement to free travel on public transport in order to give concessions to other disadvantaged groups.

That this House notes the recent report from the Commission for Integrated Transport; and acknowledges the desire to provide half-price travel to students and unemployed people, but supports the call from the national Pensioners Convention that the Government should reject any suggestions that pensioners and disabled people should lose their...

That this House welcomes the National Institute for Clinical Excellence's Technology Appraisal Guidance No. 43 on the use of newer, atypical antipsychotic drugs for the treatment of schizophrenia, issued in June 2002; believes that the guidance is a real step forward in delivering better care for those with schizophrenia; recognises the importance of ensuring that patients have an informed choice about their treatment options; recalls the NHS' statutory obligation to ensure that all NICE recommendations are implemented within three months of issue; notes the concerns raised at the Rethink severe mental illness conference, Only the Best in December 2002 over the slowness of implementation; and urges NHS trusts, health authorities and primary care trusts to ensure that sufficient funding is made available to implement the NICE guidance quickly and effectively to improve the lives of those with schizophrenia.

That this House welcomes the National Institute for Clinical Excellence's Technology Appraisal Guidance No. 43 on the use of newer, atypical antipsychotic drugs for the treatment of schizophrenia, issued in June 2002; believes that the guidance is a real step forward in delivering better care for those with schizophrenia; recognises...

That this House notes that it has been over five months since the European Court of Human Rights ruled in favour of Christine Goodwin's case for the right to respect for private and family life, the right to marry and to found a family in relation to her status as a transsexual person; and calls on the Government to bring forward legislation to give transsexual people full rights and legal recognition, without delay.

That this House notes that it has been over five months since the European Court of Human Rights ruled in favour of Christine Goodwin's case for the right to respect for private and family life, the right to marry and to found a family in relation to her status as...

That this House welcomes the introduction of the minimum half-price concessionary fare scheme for bus travel in 2001 but recognises the anomalies that a district by district scheme creates; acknowledges that by the end of 2002 Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales will all have free bus travel for older people; expresses concern at the potential for a postcode lottery in bus travel if England does not introduce similar measures; and supports the National Pensioners' Convention in their call for the Government to introduce a free nationwide bus travel scheme this year for all pensioners as one of the best ways to ensure independence and mobility in later life.

That this House welcomes the introduction of the minimum half-price concessionary fare scheme for bus travel in 2001 but recognises the anomalies that a district by district scheme creates; acknowledges that by the end of 2002 Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales will all have free bus travel for older people;...

That this House notes that there is currently no provision for early day motions with a high number of signatories to be debated; further notes that provision for early day motions with the support of more than half the House to be debated automatically would make early day motions a more effective mechanism for ensuring the concerns of the House are addressed; and calls on the Government to consider introducing such a provision.

That this House notes that there is currently no provision for early day motions with a high number of signatories to be debated; further notes that provision for early day motions with the support of more than half the House to be debated automatically would make early day motions a...

That this House welcomes the judgement of the European Court of Human Rights in favour of Christine Goodwin's case for the right to respect for private and family life, the right to marry and to found a family in relation to her status as a transsexual person; regrets that it has been necessary for this case to go to the European Court of Human Rights to achieve human rights for trans-men and trans-women in the United Kingdom; and looks forward to full rights and legal recognition for trans-men and trans-women being enshrined in British law in the near future.

That this House welcomes the judgement of the European Court of Human Rights in favour of Christine Goodwin's case for the right to respect for private and family life, the right to marry and to found a family in relation to her status as a transsexual person; regrets that it...

That this House notes the parliamentary launch on 13th June of The Zito Trust report entitled, Looking Forward To A World Class Mental Health Service; welcomes the fact that this report follows the recent National Institute for Clinical Excellence guidance which recommends the first-line use of the modern atypical antipsychotics for people with schizophrenia; recognises that the report highlights the current postcode prescribing that NICE was in part established to address; and calls on the Government to ensure that sufficient funds get through to healthcare professions to ensure that this landmark guidance is implemented in a timely manner.

That this House notes the parliamentary launch on 13th June of The Zito Trust report entitled, Looking Forward To A World Class Mental Health Service; welcomes the fact that this report follows the recent National Institute for Clinical Excellence guidance which recommends the first-line use of the modern atypical antipsychotics...