That this House welcomes the report of the Defence Select Committee into the exercise of Duty of Care in the Armed Services; urges the Ministry of Defence to study the evidence considered by the Committee and act upon its recommendations without delay; believes the Select Committee proposal to establish an Independent Military Complaints Commission could make a valuable contribution to providing a system of independent oversight; notes the ongoing study of the training regime undertaken by the Adult Learning Inspectorate and the Deepcut deaths review being undertaken by Nicholas Blake QC; further notes however that these investigations will not satisfy the demands of Deepcut and Beyond families who have drawn attention to further non-combat deaths at Deepcut and Catterick and in barracks throughout the United Kingdom and overseas and who are pressing for those responsible right up the chain of command to be held to account; calls for systematic change to prevent such deaths in the future; and believes that only an independent judicial inquiry is capable of satisfying those demands.

That this House welcomes the report of the Defence Select Committee into the exercise of Duty of Care in the Armed Services; urges the Ministry of Defence to study the evidence considered by the Committee and act upon its recommendations without delay; believes the Select Committee proposal to establish an...

That this House welcomes the historic ruling of the House of Lords on 16th December, granting the appeal of nine individuals detained at HMP Belmarsh and elsewhere under Part IV of the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001; notes that the House of Lords has quashed the derogation under Article 5 of the European Convention on Human Rights; further notes the Declaration of the House of Lords that Part IV of the ATCSA 2001 is incompatible with the ECHR; further notes the resignation of the Special Immigration Appeals Commission special advocate, Ian McDonald QC; recalls the strong reservations on this Part expressed by the Joint Committee on Human Rights of both Houses and of the Privy Councillor Review Committee; further notes the concerns of domestic and international non-governmental organisations; believes that derogation from international human rights obligations is injurious to the standing of Britain in the world and causes profound damage to community relations domestically; further believes that detention without trial represents a breakdown of the rule of law and can only hinder protection of public safety and security; further believes that detainees must be promptly charged and brought before a court of law or released and returned to their families; and urges Her Majesty's Government to bring forward legislative changes to the Act in order to conform to the judgement of the House of Lords and respond to the concerns of the JCHR and Privy Councillor Review Committee.

That this House welcomes the historic ruling of the House of Lords on 16th December, granting the appeal of nine individuals detained at HMP Belmarsh and elsewhere under Part IV of the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001; notes that the House of Lords has quashed the derogation under Article...

That this House notes the four-and-a-half year prison sentence given to Mr Leslie Skinner following his conviction for violent sexual offences committed while serving as a non-commissioned officer at Deepcut Army barracks in Surrey; further notes the conclusions drawn by the Surrey Police - that having previously identified that this offender may have had a propensity for young males, the Army posted him to Deepcut without carrying our any form of risk assessment, that this offender abused his position of authority to ensure that his victims acquiesced effectively, that victims had insufficient faith in the chain of command or the Army's investigative system to report the assaults at the time and that victims told the police that they feared reporting the incidents as such action might entail them being 'branded' as homosexual and place them at risk as targets by their peers and other NCOs; and urges the Government to ensure that army trainees are guaranteed the same quality of protection that young people in civilian establishments are promised by the passage of the Children Bill and that instructors seeking appointment in army training camps are subject to enhanced Criminal Record Bureau vetting.

That this House notes the four-and-a-half year prison sentence given to Mr Leslie Skinner following his conviction for violent sexual offences committed while serving as a non-commissioned officer at Deepcut Army barracks in Surrey; further notes the conclusions drawn by the Surrey Police - that having previously identified that this...

That this House notes that almost three years have now elapsed since the Home Secretary ordered the detention of a number of foreign nationals suspected of terrorism under Part IV of the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001, and that 12 men still remain interned in HMP Belmarsh; recalls the strong reservations expressed in the reports of the Newton Committee and of the Joint Committee on Human Rights; further notes the concerns of respected domestic and international non-governmental organisations; believes that derogation from international human rights obligations is injurious to Britain's standing in the international community and causes profound damage to community relations; further believes that detention without trial represents a breakdown of the rule of law and can only hinder protection of public safety and security; and urges Her Majesty's Government to find an acceptable alternative so that detainees can be tried before a court or released and re-united with their families without delay.

That this House notes that almost three years have now elapsed since the Home Secretary ordered the detention of a number of foreign nationals suspected of terrorism under Part IV of the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001, and that 12 men still remain interned in HMP Belmarsh; recalls the...

That this House notes that 660 suspected terrorists, including nine UK citizens, continue after almost two years to be detained at the US facilities at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; further notes that these prisoners are being denied access to US courts to test the legality of their continued detention, have no access to civilian lawyers and that their only prospect of trial will be by closed military tribunals in which military personnel will act as interrogators, prosecutors, defence counsel, judges and, in cases where the death penalty is imposed, executioners; welcomes the US Supreme Court decision to consider whether the lower courts were correct to conclude that US courts lack jurisdiction to consider challenges to the legality of the detention of foreign nationals captured abroad in connection with hostilities and incarcerated at Guantanamo Bay; is concerned however that, in reaching a decision, the Supreme Court has access to all relevant information including the evidence that many of those held at Guantanamo Bay were not arrested in connection with hostilities; in that regard, welcomes the involvement of lawyers in the US, England and Scotland in trying to secure basic human rights for those held at Guantanamo Bay; and agrees that this Motion may be submitted as part of, and that signatories give support to, a Parliamentarians' amicus brief to be submitted to the US Supreme Court calling for all prisoners to have access to an impartial court to determine their status and test the legality of their continued detention.

That this House notes that 660 suspected terrorists, including nine UK citizens, continue after almost two years to be detained at the US facilities at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; further notes that these prisoners are being denied access to US courts to test the legality of their continued detention, have no...

That this House applauds the courage and determination of more than 40 victim families who have come together to establish 'Deepcut and Beyond: Armed Forces Families' Justice Campaign', an organisation that seeks truth for families of those whose death has not been investigated effectively, justice in holding to account and prosecuting those responsible, change to protect other families and prevent future deaths; supports the call for a full and independent inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the four deaths at Deepcut; expresses its sadness that up to 2,000 members of Her Majesty's armed forces have lost their lives through non-natural causes since 1990 and sends condolences to all their families; notes that more than 200 deaths have been caused by discharge of firearms and further that more than 200 are described as self-inflicted; notes the growing public perception that the official response to these deaths is inadequate and distressing to the bereaved; believes the Army has a duty of care and protection towards all personnel, particularly young soldiers; believes that the culture of secrecy surrounding the varied causes of these deaths must give way to greater transparency; believes that the environment in which these deaths continue to occur and the absence of a system for prompt, effective and independent investigation of deaths has led to a breakdown in public confidence that can only be restored through a full and independent public inquiry; and urges the Government without delay to establish a Tribunal of Inquiry under the 1921 Act.

That this House applauds the courage and determination of more than 40 victim families who have come together to establish 'Deepcut and Beyond: Armed Forces Families' Justice Campaign', an organisation that seeks truth for families of those whose death has not been investigated effectively, justice in holding to account and...

That this House is deeply concerned that the shortfall of Traveller sites is causing severe hardship for the Gypsy and Traveller community and is leading to a deterioration in relations between the Traveller and settled community; notes that the Institute for Public Policy Research has produced proposals for Traveller sites entitled 'Moving On', which has received widespread support, further notes that the ODPM Select Committee report on the draft Housing Bill has called upon the Government to introduce a statutory duty on local authorities to provide and facilitate Gypsy and Traveller sites; calls upon the Government to ensure that mechanisms are urgently put in place to provide and facilitate a sufficient number of Traveller sites; and further notes such action is supported by the Institute for Public Policy Research, Local Government Association, Shelter, Children's Society, Traveller Law Reform Coalition and Commission for Racial Equality.

That this House is deeply concerned that the shortfall of Traveller sites is causing severe hardship for the Gypsy and Traveller community and is leading to a deterioration in relations between the Traveller and settled community; notes that the Institute for Public Policy Research has produced proposals for Traveller sites...

That this House calls upon the Government to set the date of the poll for the election of the Northern Ireland Assembly without further delay.

That this House calls upon the Government to set the date of the poll for the election of the Northern Ireland Assembly without further delay.

That this House is extremely concerned to learn that British Nuclear Fuels Limited is providing expert support to Rio Tinto plc, the multinational mining conglomerate, to assist it in defending claims arising from the operation of the former Capper Pass Smelting Plant near Hull in East Yorkshire; recalls that over 600 ex-employees and residents have suffered cancer, leukaemia and other serious illnesses, caused by exposure to radioactivity and toxic substances; expresses further concern that Rio Tinto's experts include BNFL's Principal Research Scientist and its former Head of Environmental Protection, formerly Chief Executive of WestLakes Scientific Consulting and currently Principal Consultant, WestLakes Research Institute, set up by BNFL; notes that a third expert advised BNFL in the Sellafield childhood leukaemia cases; concludes that BNFL is determined that the Capper Pass claims should fail, to avoid any finding that environmental and occupational exposure to radioactivity has caused cancer and leukaemia, thereby setting a precedent to be relied upon by Sellafield campaigners on both sides of the Irish Sea; deplores the fact that BNFL's alliance with Rio Tinto, against the Capper Pass families, has created a grossly unequal contest, entailing two Goliaths turning up for the fight with David; and calls upon BNFL and Rio Tinto to desist forthwith from such oppressive bullying tactics.

That this House is extremely concerned to learn that British Nuclear Fuels Limited is providing expert support to Rio Tinto plc, the multinational mining conglomerate, to assist it in defending claims arising from the operation of the former Capper Pass Smelting Plant near Hull in East Yorkshire; recalls that over...

That this House notes the plight of Abu-Ali Abdur'Rahman, a person on death row in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, and expresses its concern that he is to be executed on 18th June; notes that the only evidence implicating him as the assailant was the testimony of his co-defendant who got a six-year deal in exchange for his testimony; further notes that there is blood evidence, that was never presented to the jury, indicating that he was not the assailant; that his defence lawyer failed to conduct any investigation and prepared no defence, that the prosecution lied to and manipulated the jurors and eight of them have signed affidavits expressing doubts about their verdict, and that there are serious concerns that he may not have received a fair trial that accords with the due process clause of the United States Constitution or with the standards of international human rights law; and calls upon Her Majesty's Government to plead for the life of Abu-Ali Abdur'Rahman and ask that his execution be stayed and clemency granted.

That this House notes the plight of Abu-Ali Abdur'Rahman, a person on death row in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, and expresses its concern that he is to be executed on 18th June; notes that the only evidence implicating him as the assailant was the testimony of his co-defendant who got a...

That this House notes that more than a year after the cessation of international armed conflict in Afghanistan, more than 600 persons seized in the course of the conflict are still detained at the United States facility in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; further notes that persons subsequently arrested in other jurisdictions are being sent to Guantanamo Bay and detained without trial; expresses its concern at the means by which individuals were transported far away from their families and at the conditions of their detention; notes the refusal of the United States to permit a determination to be made on the status of individual prisoners by a competent tribunal, describing them instead as unlawful combatants, a status not contemplated in international law; is forced to conclude that the detention of such persons is arbitary and therefore unlawful; and urges the United States authorities to facilitate the release of all prisoners and return by agreement to their country of origin unless they are wanted for war crimes or terrorist offences in which case they should be given their legal rights and charged.

That this House notes that more than a year after the cessation of international armed conflict in Afghanistan, more than 600 persons seized in the course of the conflict are still detained at the United States facility in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; further notes that persons subsequently arrested in other jurisdictions...

That this House commends the courage and humanity of George Ryan, the retiring Governor of Illinois, in commuting sentences on all 156 death row prisoners in his state to life imprisonment; notes that since 1977, Illinois executed 12 prisoners but released 13 others because new evidence exonerated them and that the Governor felt forced to conclude that the death penalty was arbitrary and capricious - and therefore immoral; further notes that in the past 30 years, 102 persons have been released from death row in the USA with evidence of their innocence; further notes that since 1976, when the US Supreme Court reinstated the death penalty, 816 persons have been executed, and that in particular the United States President's home state of Texas has executed 288 persons in this period; notes however that the trend towards abolition of the death penalty continues to gain momentum worldwide; and urges the Government in its relations with the United States authorities to inject renewed vigour in its representations to press for the complete abolition of this barbaric practice.

That this House commends the courage and humanity of George Ryan, the retiring Governor of Illinois, in commuting sentences on all 156 death row prisoners in his state to life imprisonment; notes that since 1977, Illinois executed 12 prisoners but released 13 others because new evidence exonerated them and that...

That this House expresses its sadness that more than 1,748 members of Her Majesty's armed forces have lost their lives through non-natural causes since 1990 and sends condolences to all their families; notes that almost 200 deaths have been caused by discharge of firearms and further that some 200 are described as self-inflicted; notes the growing public perception that the Ministry of Defence response to these deaths is inadequate and distressing to the bereaved; applauds the courage and determination of the friends and families of Sean Benton, James Collinson, Geoff Gray and Cheryl James who died at Deepcut barracks in Surrey; and of Paul Cochrane, Ross Collins, Richard Donkin, Tony Green, Dale Little, Aled Martin Jones, Alfie Manship, Gary Riches, Richard Robertson, Alan Sharples, David Shipley and Christopher Young who have subsequently come forward to make public their own grievances and frustrations at the hands of the military authorities; believes the Army has a duty of care and protection towards all personnel, particularly young soldiers; believes that the culture of secrecy surrounding the varied cause of these deaths must give way to greater transparency; believes that the environment in which these deaths continue to occur and the absence of a system for prompt, effective and independent investigation of deaths has led to a breakdown in public confidence that can only be restored through a full and independent public inquiry; and urges the Government to establish a tribunal of inquiry without delay.

That this House expresses its sadness that more than 1,748 members of Her Majesty's armed forces have lost their lives through non-natural causes since 1990 and sends condolences to all their families; notes that almost 200 deaths have been caused by discharge of firearms and further that some 200 are...

That this House expresses sadness that almost 100 serving members of Her Majesty's Armed Forces have lost their lives in the past eight years through firearms incidents on or near military premises; further notes that 156 suicides have been recorded in the same period; extends sincere condolences to the families and friends who have lost sons and daughters at the prime of their life; applauds the work done by families of victims that have come together to highlight concerns regarding deaths at the Princess Royal Barracks at Deep Cut in Surrey; notes with sorrow that 20 year-old Sean Benton from Hastings, England was found dead on 9th June 1995 with five gunshot wounds; further notes with sorrow that 18 year-old Private Cheryl James from Llangollen, Wales was found dead with a single bullet shot to her head in November 1995; further notes with sorrow that 17 year-old Private Geoff Gray from Hackney, London was found dead on 17th September 2001 with two gunshot wounds to his head; further notes with sorrow that 17 year-old Private James Collinson from Perth, Scotland was found dead on 23rd March 2002 with a single gunshot wound; believes that the Ministry of Defence has a duty of care and protection to all personnel, particularly young soldiers; and calls for a public inquiry into the deaths at Deep Cut with a remit to hear evidence and to make recommendations concerning protection of those serving throughout the armed forces.

That this House expresses sadness that almost 100 serving members of Her Majesty's Armed Forces have lost their lives in the past eight years through firearms incidents on or near military premises; further notes that 156 suicides have been recorded in the same period; extends sincere condolences to the families...

That this House congratulates former solider and Kingston-upon-Hull North constituent Mr Shaun Rusling and the National Gulf Veterans and Families Association on their victory in achieving recognition of the existence of Gulf War Syndrome; pays tribute to Mr Rusling who has fought resolutely through thick and thin and ultimately succeeded against formidable odds in the form of the Army and the Ministry of Defence establishment that refused his just claim and continued to resist his argument for nine years; regrets that Mr Rusling was eventually forced to take action under data protection legislation to gain access to his own files; is disturbed to learn that the terms of his claim were fraudulently altered by officials of the War Pensions Agency and is shocked to discover that the Secretary of State subsequently stood by their action; takes this opportunity to express sincere regret at the pain and suffering endured by Mr Rusling; shares his deep sorrow that while government lawyers delayed, more than 500 veterans suffering from this terrible condition have taken their own lives; and urges the Government to admit that errors have been made and take immediate steps to recognise and respect the needs of up to 5,000 Gulf War sickness victims.

That this House congratulates former solider and Kingston-upon-Hull North constituent Mr Shaun Rusling and the National Gulf Veterans and Families Association on their victory in achieving recognition of the existence of Gulf War Syndrome; pays tribute to Mr Rusling who has fought resolutely through thick and thin and ultimately succeeded...

That this House condemns the religious discrimination that exists against Roman Catholics in sections 2 and 3 of the Act of Settlement 1701 by excluding Roman Catholics from the line of Succession to the Throne and also any member of the Royal Family who marries a Roman Catholic; recognises that sections 2 and 3 of the Act of Settlement 1701 are in violation of article 9.2 (freedom of religion of belief) of the European Convention on Human Rights; notes the comments by the Prime Minister that the anti-Catholic aspects of the Act of Settlement 1701 are plainly discriminatory and welcomes his commitment to address this issue during this Parliament; recognises that such a move during the year of the Queen's Golden Jubilee would indicate recognition of the United Kingdom's acceptance and tolerance of a multifaith, multicultural society; notes the broad support to amend sections 2 and 3 of the Act of Settlement 1701; further congratulates the Scottish Parliament for passing a motion condemning the existence of section 2 and 3 of the Act of Settlement 1701; and urges the Government to amend the Act of Settlement 1701 to remove its discriminatory nature.

That this House condemns the religious discrimination that exists against Roman Catholics in sections 2 and 3 of the Act of Settlement 1701 by excluding Roman Catholics from the line of Succession to the Throne and also any member of the Royal Family who marries a Roman Catholic; recognises that...