That this House notes that in 1993 the Stockton-on-Tees Sea Cadet Unit accepted a five-year loan agreement with the Ministry of Defence for the use of the former HMS Kellington as a headquarters, that in 1998 the Ministry sought to reclaim the vessel at the end of the five-year loan period but failed as the Tees Barrage had been built downstream, that consequently the Ministry proposed the transfer of ownership to the Sea Cadet Unit on the payment of ??2,000 and this became effective in 1999, that the Sea Cadet Unit did not exercise due diligence and the Ministry, which knew of the hazardous contaminants and radioactive materials, chose to offload its liability onto a youth organisation working to foster interest in the Navy, that the introduction of health and safety legislation rendered the vessel unfit for purpose, that the vessel was repeatedly vandalised and became a serious environmental hazard and a danger to passers-by, that the vessel was dismantled and removed by the efforts of Stockton Borough Council, Able UK, and the Marine Society and Sea Cadets at a total cost exceeding ??350,000, and that the Ministry knew full well the difficulties and potential shelf-life from centuries of vessel disposal but failed in its duty of care and legal obligation to exercise due diligence; and asserts that the Ministry, having been so negligent in its sale to a unit it knew to be woefully unequal to the task, should redeem itself by agreeing to enter into negotiations to defray the heavy cost heaped so unfairly on a struggling community.

That this House notes that in 1993 the Stockton-on-Tees Sea Cadet Unit accepted a five-year loan agreement with the Ministry of Defence for the use of the former HMS Kellington as a headquarters, that in 1998 the Ministry sought to reclaim the vessel at the end of the five-year loan...

That this House recognises the trauma, pain and suffering that people-trafficking brings to the lives of thousands of innocent human beings every year; believes that people should not be considered as commodities or as objects to trade in and wholeheartedly condemns this barbaric and cruel practice; further believes that every possible effort should be made by governments around the world to prevent people trafficking; congratulates Susanne Midgley and Caroline Shepherd for their important work in promoting awareness of this issue and for organising a fundraising performance of Stop The Traffik at the Gidea Park Methodist Church in Romford in aid of Oasis India; thanks all of the people who attended the production of Unseen Traffik, a daring stage production exploring the brutal reality of modern-day slavery; and commends those who are working to put an end to this insult to humanity, most especially the hon. Member for Totnes.

That this House recognises the trauma, pain and suffering that people-trafficking brings to the lives of thousands of innocent human beings every year; believes that people should not be considered as commodities or as objects to trade in and wholeheartedly condemns this barbaric and cruel practice; further believes that every...

That this House notes that, despite irresponsible sub-prime lending and inappropriate borrowing precipitating the liquidity crisis and subsequent recession, sub-prime lenders are currently advertising money within the hour that is described as fast and flexible, with excessive typical annual percentage rates of 2,356 per cent. in the case of QuickQuid and 2,689 per cent. in the case of Wonga; believes that television advertising of such extremely expensive credit represents the migration of loan-shark style lending from the doorstep to the computer desktop; further believes that lending of this kind can prove both socially and financially irresponsible and that the Government and appropriate regulatory authorities should insist on the application of the regulatory principle of fair treatment of consumers which currently applies to savings and investments in the UK to sub-prime lending products to protect vulnerable consumers; and further believes that in the interim the Government should cap interest rates on sub-prime personal lending products and encourage the conditions for and promote the benefits of the establishment of social enterprises, such as credit unions, to create an alternative for consumers in need to turn to.

That this House notes that, despite irresponsible sub-prime lending and inappropriate borrowing precipitating the liquidity crisis and subsequent recession, sub-prime lenders are currently advertising money within the hour that is described as fast and flexible, with excessive typical annual percentage rates of 2,356 per cent. in the case of QuickQuid...

That this House recognises the importance of Holy Week and Easter Sunday to the thousands of Christians living in the UK and beyond; welcomes the fact that Christians in the UK are able freely to observe their faith; notes however, with concern, that many Christians across the world face persecution as a result of their Christian faith and believes that this is unacceptable; and calls on the Government to work with others to ensure that all Christians, no matter where they live, can observe their faith without fear or intimidation.

That this House recognises the importance of Holy Week and Easter Sunday to the thousands of Christians living in the UK and beyond; welcomes the fact that Christians in the UK are able freely to observe their faith; notes however, with concern, that many Christians across the world face persecution...

That this House notes with dismay that the rail renewal company Jarvis has been placed in administration and that 2,000 jobs are now under threat; believes that Jarvis's dedicated rail workers have provided a vital public service and deserve full support at this difficult time; further notes that a key factor in the company going into administration was the decision of Network Rail to defer 30 per cent. of its rail renewals work; urges Network Rail to take this renewals work in-house to protect the employment of Jarvis workers and their skills which are vital for the future of the railway; and urges the Government, as the primary funder of Network Rail, to intervene as necessary to protect the jobs, wages and pensions of these rail workers.

That this House notes with dismay that the rail renewal company Jarvis has been placed in administration and that 2,000 jobs are now under threat; believes that Jarvis's dedicated rail workers have provided a vital public service and deserve full support at this difficult time; further notes that a key...

That this House calls on Willie Walsh of British Airways to examine the unacceptably poor levels of customer care and competence of its so-called Customer Service and the stewardship of its Refunds Department; is dismayed that it is almost impossible for customers to be able to speak on a telephone to an agent who listens and will provide help, guidance and remedies; notes British Airways' failure to process and respond to faxes or e-mails of customers; considers that at a time of increased world-wide competition British Airways needs dramatically to improve the levels of its service to customers or it will lose large numbers of customers permanently; and concludes that its current industrial relations crisis is symptomatic and indicative of arrogance and mediocre management, further aggravated by its indifference to its customers.

That this House calls on Willie Walsh of British Airways to examine the unacceptably poor levels of customer care and competence of its so-called Customer Service and the stewardship of its Refunds Department; is dismayed that it is almost impossible for customers to be able to speak on a telephone...

That this House notes that 2.5 billion people across the world live without access to sanitation and around 4,000 children die from diarrhoea every single day, more than AIDS, malaria and measles combined; further notes that in developing countries, half the hospital beds are filled with people suffering from diarrhoeal diseases like cholera; further notes that the charity WaterAid petitioned the Government and an amendment was made to the agreement made at the UN Millennium Summit in 2000 that the number of people living without access to sanitation would be halved by 2015; further notes that with just five years left time is running out in reaching these targets and that progress will be reviewed in New York in September 2010; and urges the Government to take action to prioritise the targets which are off-track, particularly on sanitation.

That this House notes that 2.5 billion people across the world live without access to sanitation and around 4,000 children die from diarrhoea every single day, more than AIDS, malaria and measles combined; further notes that in developing countries, half the hospital beds are filled with people suffering from diarrhoeal...

That this House recognises that this year marks the 190th anniversary of the publication of John Clare's first volume of poems; notes that the dispute over the copyright issues relating to John Clare's published and unpublished work still restricts access to the full extent of Clare's genius; and calls for the issues surrounding this to be resolved rapidly in order to ensure that the work of this pre-eminent poet of the natural world be made even more widely accessible.

That this House recognises that this year marks the 190th anniversary of the publication of John Clare's first volume of poems; notes that the dispute over the copyright issues relating to John Clare's published and unpublished work still restricts access to the full extent of Clare's genius; and calls for...

That this House acknowledges the excellent work done by the Forced Marriage Unit, the police and local authorities across the country to combat forced marriage and to protect victims of honour-based violence; recognises and welcomes the legal precedent set by Article 12 of the European Convention on Human Rights, yet regretfully notes the complete lack of prosecutions of perpetrators under this Act; further recognises that forced marriage is present across many faiths and cultures and is a growing issue in the United Kingdom; finds it disgraceful that there is no specific criminal offence in England and Wales of forcing someone to marry; and urges the Government to introduce legislation that will criminalise the act of forcing a British citizen into a marriage against their will or without their explicit and freely-given consent.

That this House acknowledges the excellent work done by the Forced Marriage Unit, the police and local authorities across the country to combat forced marriage and to protect victims of honour-based violence; recognises and welcomes the legal precedent set by Article 12 of the European Convention on Human Rights, yet...

That this House welcomes the impact that accessible and flexible part-time higher education makes to the lives of many people in the UK; praises the particular role that Birkbeck College (University of London) plays in London and welcomes its new collaborations in the east London Borough of Newham; recognises that the part-time sector has a funding inequity of 43 per cent. by needing full-time buildings and resources yet only receiving a part-time equivalence injection of funds; and calls on the Government to ensure that cuts to the higher education budget will not be extended to the already disproportionately under-funded part-time sector.

That this House welcomes the impact that accessible and flexible part-time higher education makes to the lives of many people in the UK; praises the particular role that Birkbeck College (University of London) plays in London and welcomes its new collaborations in the east London Borough of Newham; recognises that...

That this House notes with concern the new restrictions placed on media coverage of the forthcoming general election in Ethiopia; further notes with great sadness the violent aftermath of the 2005 election; expresses its anxiety over the findings of the European Parliament's election monitoring team led by Ana Gomez MEP in 2005; and calls on the Ethiopian government to ensure that this year's election is free, fair and transparent.

That this House notes with concern the new restrictions placed on media coverage of the forthcoming general election in Ethiopia; further notes with great sadness the violent aftermath of the 2005 election; expresses its anxiety over the findings of the European Parliament's election monitoring team led by Ana Gomez MEP...

That this House notes the importance of the Thameslink Programme to the improvement of passenger rail services crossing London from towns and cities north and south of the capital; congratulates the Government on its decision to fund this scheme following long delays caused in part by the privatisation of the railways; recognises that many hundreds of construction workers are currently employed by Network Rail on the project; looks forward to the enhanced travel opportunities and the economic and environmental benefits which will flow from the completed network; welcomes the news that the existing Thameslink train fleet will be refurbished and redeployed to provide improved electric rail services in the North West of England and elsewhere; and calls on the Government to announce before the Easter adjournment, the winner of the order for new Thameslink trains, whilst ensuring that these are manufactured in the United Kingdom.

That this House notes the importance of the Thameslink Programme to the improvement of passenger rail services crossing London from towns and cities north and south of the capital; congratulates the Government on its decision to fund this scheme following long delays caused in part by the privatisation of the...

That this House condemns the proliferation of betting shops in inner city London boroughs; notes that deprived boroughs such as Hackney, Islington, Haringey and Tottenham have disproportionately high numbers of such establishments; further notes that the gambling industry is targeting these deprived areas of high unemployment; is concerned that such establishments are responsible for increases in crime and anti-social behaviour in surrounding areas; and believes more needs to be done to give local councils the power to refuse licensing applications by means of a tightening of the provisions of the Gambling Act 2005.

That this House condemns the proliferation of betting shops in inner city London boroughs; notes that deprived boroughs such as Hackney, Islington, Haringey and Tottenham have disproportionately high numbers of such establishments; further notes that the gambling industry is targeting these deprived areas of high unemployment; is concerned that such...

That this House notes the proposal by the Executive of Kings College London as part of its budget review process to abolish the Chair of Palaeography, the only one of its kind in the United Kingdom; further notes the fundamental importance of palaeography to a broad and interdisciplinary scholarly community; considers that without the development of palaeographic skills, millions of documents would be rendered inaccessible, thus depriving the nation of its full historical legacy; and therefore urges Kings College London to consider very carefully any proposals in respect to this prestigious and important Chair.

That this House notes the proposal by the Executive of Kings College London as part of its budget review process to abolish the Chair of Palaeography, the only one of its kind in the United Kingdom; further notes the fundamental importance of palaeography to a broad and interdisciplinary scholarly community;...

That this House is dismayed at the conduct of the Conservative-led cabinet of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council in again writing-off, behind closed doors, business rates owed by companies connected to former Councillor Peter Whieldon; believes it has again failed to show leadership by not making public comment about Mr Whieldon and his associates' continuing shameless conduct; notes that this is the fourth time in four years it has written off, in secret, debts owed by their insolvent companies; further notes that the ??22,608 and ??9,248 written off in respect of Stones Entertainment Limited (The Albion Inn) and T1V Limited (Union, former Bull's Vaults) brings to ??91,128 the rates their collapsed companies have avoided paying in Newcastle; further notes that total bad debts left behind by their trail of insolvencies in North Staffordshire now tops ??1.6 million, including over ??250,000 to HM Revenue and Customs; further notes that honest traders in town, who pay their dues, are appalled by this conduct and the council's lack of courage; calls on Companies Investigation Branch and the Registrar of Companies to swiftly conclude enquiries into directors' and shadow directors' conduct at the 13 companies which have serially collapsed; and further calls on the Leader of Newcastle Council and members of its cabinet to join the hon. Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme in asking HM Revenue and Customs to review the tax affairs of those involved and for Staffordshire Police, in co-operation with all agencies, to investigate prima facie evidence of a long-running conspiracy to defraud creditors.

That this House is dismayed at the conduct of the Conservative-led cabinet of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council in again writing-off, behind closed doors, business rates owed by companies connected to former Councillor Peter Whieldon; believes it has again failed to show leadership by not making public comment about Mr Whieldon and...

That this House is alarmed at the rate of pub closures around the country; applauds the former Beautiful South and Housemartins front man Paul Heaton in his efforts to highlight the plight of British pubs and to promote cycling; and wishes him luck on his Pedals and Beer Pumps tour which will see him visit 16 pubs around the country.

That this House is alarmed at the rate of pub closures around the country; applauds the former Beautiful South and Housemartins front man Paul Heaton in his efforts to highlight the plight of British pubs and to promote cycling; and wishes him luck on his Pedals and Beer Pumps tour...

That this House mourns with great sadness the untimely passing of Dr Ashok Kumar, Member of Parliament for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, and formerly Langbaurgh; acknowledges the immensely high regard in which he was held in his beloved constituency and in both Houses of Parliament, across political divides; recognises the warmth he radiated to all he met; remembers the modesty he exhibited despite his formidable and highly impressive scientific record both in industry and academia; holds in awe his unsurpassed credentials in local campaigning; and notes that hon. Members and constituents will remember Ashok as a man of honour and integrity, and as someone motivated solely by a strong sense of duty and public service, who will be missed on the Commons benches but never forgotten.

That this House mourns with great sadness the untimely passing of Dr Ashok Kumar, Member of Parliament for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, and formerly Langbaurgh; acknowledges the immensely high regard in which he was held in his beloved constituency and in both Houses of Parliament, across political divides; recognises...