That this House notes that the European Union has given approval to Turkey to enter into discussions as to possible membership of the European Union; is aware that the United Kingdom is a strong supporter of Turkey's membership of the European Union; further notes that the United Kingdom is one of the guarantor powers for the Island of Cyprus and that Cyprus is a member of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association; and calls on the British Government to work closely with, and to respect, the rights of the Republic of Cyprus and its democratically elected President, Mr Tassos Papadopoulos, to safeguard the interests of Cyprus in the forthcoming discussions on Turkey's possible membership of the European Union and to make very clear to Turkey that it is in its own best interest to recognise fully, and quickly, the existence of the Republic of Cyprus, which is already a full member of the European Union, and to clearly work for the normalisation of its relationship with the Republic of Cyprus and fulfil, as soon as possible, its obligations towards Cyprus as stated in the Presidency Conclusions of the Brussels European Council of 17th December 2004 with regard to signing the protocol regarding the adaptation of the Ankara Agreement, taking account of the accession of the 10 new member states and to resolve the issues of Cyprus in which it can and should play a role.

That this House notes that the European Union has given approval to Turkey to enter into discussions as to possible membership of the European Union; is aware that the United Kingdom is a strong supporter of Turkey's membership of the European Union; further notes that the United Kingdom is one...

That this House offers its congratulations to net-progress, an internet consultancy based in Carshalton, Surrey, on the launch of net-guide.co.uk; commends net-guide for achieving See it Right accreditation from the Royal National Institute of the Blind (RNIB); notes that the See it Right website logo is awarded to websites that have demonstrated a commitment to best practice website accessibility; further notes net-guide is an internet search engine and website directory designed to be easy to use, regardless of whether or not users are blind or partially sighted; recognises the diligent work done by net-guide in conducting independent audits on the accessibility of the websites in its database, which gives users an idea of the ease of use of the websites returned in a search or from browsing the directories; believes that two million people in the UK with a sight problem deserve fair access to electronic information; and calls on web designers to take on board the practical advice offered by the RNIB for producing websites that meet the information needs of the blind and partially sighted, a requirement enshrined in section 21 of the Disability Discrimination Act 1999.

That this House offers its congratulations to net-progress, an internet consultancy based in Carshalton, Surrey, on the launch of net-guide.co.uk; commends net-guide for achieving See it Right accreditation from the Royal National Institute of the Blind (RNIB); notes that the See it Right website logo is awarded to websites that...

That this House believes that every terminally ill patient who chooses to die at home should be given the opportunity to do so; congratulates Marie Curie Cancer Care on its campaign Supporting the Choice to Die at Home; notes the survey commissioned by the charity from YouGov that found 64 per cent. of Britons would choose to die at home but at present only 25 per cent. of terminally ill patients are able to do so and therefore most die in hospital; further notes the economic paper commissioned by the charity which shows that caring for more patients at home would release funds which could be used elsewhere in the NHS; highlights the recent conclusion of the Health Select Committee that the right to a good death is fundamental; welcomes Marie Currie Cancer Care's Delivering Choice Programme which has launched a project to improve end of life care in Lincolnshire; and urges the Government to partner Marie Curie Cancer Care in order to establish similar projects in other English regions, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and to commit funds to make this possible.

That this House believes that every terminally ill patient who chooses to die at home should be given the opportunity to do so; congratulates Marie Curie Cancer Care on its campaign Supporting the Choice to Die at Home; notes the survey commissioned by the charity from YouGov that found 64...

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 congratulates Development in Action on celebrating its 10th year of outstanding work in raising awareness of global issues among young people in the UK; notes that since it was founded, Development in Action has arranged placements with Indian non-governmental organisations for more than 160 young volunteers who have campaigned actively to promote development awareness and international understanding upon their return to the UK; further notes that this has been achieved entirely through the work of young volunteers motivated by a desire to have a positive impact upon the world in which they live; recognises the vital importance of promoting understanding of the developing world in the UK; and calls on politicians of all parties to promote Development in Action's example.

That this House congratulates Development in Action on celebrating its 10th year of outstanding work in raising awareness of global issues among young people in the UK; notes that since it was founded, Development in Action has arranged placements with Indian non-governmental organisations for more than 160 young volunteers who...

That this House supports the Bog Standard campaign and its School Toilet Charter; notes that toilets for pupils are often poorly maintained and that efforts to encourage pupils to drink adequate water at school are hampered by pupils' avoidance of toilets toilets or inability to visit a toilet when they need to; further notes that poor toilets and inadequate access can lead to health disorders including incontinence, constipation and urinary infections; recognises the work of Education Resources for Improving Childhood Continence in highlighting the long standing implications of continence problems for the child; is aware that regulations governing the standard of pupils' toilets are inadequate, whilst those for teachers are covered comprehensively; and urges the Government to include the inspection of pupils' toilets in all Ofsted inspections, to take into account their condition, suitability and accessibility to pupils.

That this House supports the Bog Standard campaign and its School Toilet Charter; notes that toilets for pupils are often poorly maintained and that efforts to encourage pupils to drink adequate water at school are hampered by pupils' avoidance of toilets toilets or inability to visit a toilet when they...

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 is very concerned by the proposed closure of Bermondsey Street Post Office in the London Borough of Southwark on 9th February; notes that Bermondsey Street is believed to be the oldest sub-post office in the country; recognises the vital importance of this post office in serving the growing community in and around Bermondsey Street; urges Post Office Ltd to listen to the views of all local people and their representatives during the consultation process; urges the Government to reverse its policy of mass closure of sub-post offices; and calls on the government to accept the essential and continuing need for this and other sub-post offices throughout London boroughs to remain in operation.

That this House is very concerned by the proposed closure of Bermondsey Street Post Office in the London Borough of Southwark on 9th February; notes that Bermondsey Street is believed to be the oldest sub-post office in the country; recognises the vital importance of this post office in serving the...

That this House notes with concern the implications for Hindu temples of the new Home Office immigration rules affecting minister of religion, effective from 31st August 2004, which require all such ministers to demonstrate fluency in the English language to level 4; notes that this hampers the recruitment of Poojaries in particular, whose roles are highly specialised and who are trained in India; further notes that the role of a Poojari is to perform the daily rites for the Hindu gods in the temple and Arti, which involve caring for the gods on a daily basis with prayers and meditation; further notes that these daily rites are central to the Hindu religion; further notes that the role of a Poojari does not involve preaching to the congregation and that this role is generally performed by Swarmis, Sadhus or Hindu preachers, who have knowledge of English; further notes that the Poojari's job requires knowledge of Hindu texts written in Sanskrit and knowledge of Gujarati and Hindi for sung worship, but not English; regrets that the Home Office would appear to have introduced regulations based on a Judaeo-Christian model of worship without considering the implications for other faiths; and calls upon the Home Office to amend its regulations to provide an exception to Poojaries because they do not preach.

That this House notes with concern the implications for Hindu temples of the new Home Office immigration rules affecting minister of religion, effective from 31st August 2004, which require all such ministers to demonstrate fluency in the English language to level 4; notes that this hampers the recruitment of Poojaries...

That this House condemns the policy of high street banks to sell off their non-branch based ATM machines; notes that many have been replaced by ATMs which charge an average of ??1.50 per withdrawal; further notes that fee-charging ATMs are disproportionately located in poorer areas where few people can afford to travel to free alternatives; is concerned that this is a particular problem for people whose state benefits are paid into their bank accounts, and who are therefore charged simply for receiving their benefits; is disappointed the Royal Bank of Scotland has not done more to alleviate this problem since is acquired Hanco, which operates around a quarter of all free-charging ATMs; concurs with the Citizens Advice Bureau and the National Consumer Council, who have criticised the Royal Bank of Scotland for effectively levying a tax on the poor through their actions; further concurs with Gamblers Anonymous, who have criticised Hanco for locating an ATM in an amusement arcade in Glasgow; and calls on the Royal Bank of Scotland and other high street banks to guarantee the future of free withdrawal facilities at ATMs in disadvantaged areas.

That this House condemns the policy of high street banks to sell off their non-branch based ATM machines; notes that many have been replaced by ATMs which charge an average of ??1.50 per withdrawal; further notes that fee-charging ATMs are disproportionately located in poorer areas where few people can afford...

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 recognises the national importance of the discovery at Colchester of the remains of a Roman chariot racing stadium, the only known existence of such a circus in Britain; pays tribute to archaeologists from the Colchester Archaeological Trust who discovered the remains of what is believed to have been the largest building in Roman Britain; notes that the site is within an area of the former Colchester Garrison recently sold by the Ministry of Defence for housing; and calls on all with a responsibility for safeguarding our national heritage to take the necessary action to ensure that this unique ancient site is preserved for future generations to view.

That this House recognises the national importance of the discovery at Colchester of the remains of a Roman chariot racing stadium, the only known existence of such a circus in Britain; pays tribute to archaeologists from the Colchester Archaeological Trust who discovered the remains of what is believed to have...

That this House celebrates the signing of a historic comprehensive peace agreement between the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement and Army; recognises that this ends Sudan's 21 year civil war and introduces major protocols on power and wealth, strategic and regional development leading to elections in three years and a referendum on self-determination for the south in six years; congratulates all parties to the peace process, and in particular notes the painstaking, unsung diplomacy undertaken by UK personnel over many years; welcomes the UK Government's commitment to ??100 million of assistance to Sudan this year, including a ??50 million contribution to the UN's 2005 work plan for Sudan and Eastern Chad; remains gravely concerned about the conflict and gross human rights abuses occuring in Darfur and urges all sides and international partners to find a swift resolution based on the principles of the comprehensive peace agreement; hopes for the return of millions of refugees to their homes, and looks forward to the diverse people and cultures and huge resources of what is currently the largest country in Africa making a major contribution to peace and development across the continent as well as to all parts of Sudan.

That this House celebrates the signing of a historic comprehensive peace agreement between the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement and Army; recognises that this ends Sudan's 21 year civil war and introduces major protocols on power and wealth, strategic and regional development leading to elections in...

That this House congratulates Romania on the successful conclusion of negotiations for membership of the European union; and looks forward to Romania signing the EU Treaty of Accession in the spring of 2005.

That this House congratulates Romania on the successful conclusion of negotiations for membership of the European union; and looks forward to Romania signing the EU Treaty of Accession in the spring of 2005.

That this House welcomes the decision by a Santiago court that former Chilean dictator, Augusto Pinochet, is to stand trial for atrocities committed during his 17-year regime in Chile; resents his countless efforts to plead ill health when faced with each legal hurdle in the campaign to bring him to justice; and congratulates all those surviving victims and campaigners who continue to work toward ensuring that he is tried for crimes committed during Operation Condor, a conspiracy of the 1970's South American dictatorships to kill opponents and bury their bodies in each other's countries, including the torture of 27,000 people and the killing of some 3,000 political activists from 1973 to 1990.

That this House welcomes the decision by a Santiago court that former Chilean dictator, Augusto Pinochet, is to stand trial for atrocities committed during his 17-year regime in Chile; resents his countless efforts to plead ill health when faced with each legal hurdle in the campaign to bring him to...

That this House is deeply concerned that a concerted campaign by vested interests is in operation to destroy the status of country lanes which are currently restricted in their use to categories such as walkers, horse riders and local farmers to open them for use by crowds of motor cyclists, car drivers and other disruptive powered vehicles; notes that 111 applications have been submitted in Derbyshire for such anti-social purposes between 16th October 2003 and 24th November 2004, including 20 applications in the constituency of North East Derbyshire, of which 10 are in the parish of Ashover alone; and calls upon the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to put forward measures to block such applications pending the consideration of legislation clarifying the status of designated country lanes.

That this House is deeply concerned that a concerted campaign by vested interests is in operation to destroy the status of country lanes which are currently restricted in their use to categories such as walkers, horse riders and local farmers to open them for use by crowds of motor cyclists,...

That this House is concerned that the continuing failure of self-regulation of complaints against solicitors by the Law Society has still not been adequately addressed by Government, whose only action so far has been the half measure of appointing a Legal Services Complaints Commissioner who is also the full-time Legal Services Ombudsman, whose power to fine has already been reduced from a suggested five million pounds to one million after consultation with the Law Society, and whose work has been made dependent on milestones or targets determined by the Society despite the fact that the law Society has consistently failed to achieve its own target; is further concerned that the review of the regulatory framework on legal services in England and Wales, due to report in December, has been compromised by its close meetings with and sympathetic responses to a Law Society still fighting vigorously to retain the maximum degree of self-regulation, despite the huge weight of evidence showing that it has already failed; and therefore calls on the Government to stop deferring to the Law Society and taking hesitant half measures and instead to set up a fully independent, full-time, external system of regulation of complaints against solicitors with power to fine and award compensation.

That this House is concerned that the continuing failure of self-regulation of complaints against solicitors by the Law Society has still not been adequately addressed by Government, whose only action so far has been the half measure of appointing a Legal Services Complaints Commissioner who is also the full-time Legal...