That this House notes the historic importance of the speech delivered to both Houses by President Mandela and of EDM 1155, tabled on 11th July 1996, supported on a cross party basis; and calls upon the House authorities to install a permanent reminder of the occasion by the setting of a brass plaque on the steps of Westminster Hall.

That this House notes the historic importance of the speech delivered to both Houses by President Mandela and of EDM 1155, tabled on 11th July 1996, supported on a cross party basis; and calls upon the House authorities to install a permanent reminder of the occasion by the setting of...

That this House expresses concern about reports of large deficits incurred by East and North Herts Health Trust and Hertfordshire Health Authority; calls for the publication without further delay of figures for the current and cumulative deficits of the trust and authority; asks the Secretary of State for Health to explain why claimed increases in health spending have still left deficits in the NHS in Hertfordshire; demands assurances that services and much needed investment programmes will not be cut to pay for these deficits; and calls for concrete steps to achieve this.

That this House expresses concern about reports of large deficits incurred by East and North Herts Health Trust and Hertfordshire Health Authority; calls for the publication without further delay of figures for the current and cumulative deficits of the trust and authority; asks the Secretary of State for Health to...

That this House applauds the moves now under way in the public sector to abolish the much abused system of cash retentions in the construction industry, which over many years has operated to the detriment of the profitability and competitiveness of the vast majority of firms in the industry, especially small businesses; believes that the system should not be perpetuated by public sector procurers who are committed to being best practice clients of the construction industry; urges the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, in conjunction with the Office of Government Commerce, to announce a programme for the phasing out of the retention system in respect of construction works procured by central government clients; and calls for the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions to issue a circular to local authorities in England and Wales advising local authorities to refrain from demanding retentions on all new contracts for construction works that are left following a date to be agreed between the Secretary of State and the Local Government Association.

That this House applauds the moves now under way in the public sector to abolish the much abused system of cash retentions in the construction industry, which over many years has operated to the detriment of the profitability and competitiveness of the vast majority of firms in the industry, especially...

That this House congratulates the Royal Gibraltar Regiment on taking part in Changing the Guard at Buckingham Palace; notes that this is the first time that soldiers from Gibraltar have performed the ceremony, reinforcing Britain's link with Gibraltar; and fully supports the presence of the members of the Royal Gibraltar Regiment who will be present this month.

That this House congratulates the Royal Gibraltar Regiment on taking part in Changing the Guard at Buckingham Palace; notes that this is the first time that soldiers from Gibraltar have performed the ceremony, reinforcing Britain's link with Gibraltar; and fully supports the presence of the members of the Royal Gibraltar...

That this House welcomes the statement in the Government's recent Globalisation White Paper that recognises the role of government in ensuring that basic services are provided to all; notes that negotiations to expand the reach of the WTO's General Agreement on Trade in Services are underway; further notes that the GATS applies to all tradable services, including public services, if they are provided commercially or in competition with other suppliers; further notes that the GATS applies to all levels of government, including local authorities; is concerned over the lack of parliamentary and public debate on this agreement given its far-reaching implications; and calls on the Government to ensure that there is an independent and thorough assessment of the likely impact of the extension of the GATS on the provision of key services both in the UK and internationally, particularly on the poor in developing countries.

That this House welcomes the statement in the Government's recent Globalisation White Paper that recognises the role of government in ensuring that basic services are provided to all; notes that negotiations to expand the reach of the WTO's General Agreement on Trade in Services are underway; further notes that the...