That this House salutes President Mary Robinson of Ireland, the 'President with a purpose', on her brave and successful efforts over the last seven years to improve relations between the peoples of these islands, to raise the status of her country around the world as well as the status of the Irish communities in Britain, the profile of women in public life and human rights and dignity worldwide; remembers, in particular her forthright condemnation of the Provisional IRA for its bomb attack on Manchester which she said was not carried out 'in the name of any Irishness I represent as President of Ireland'; and wishes her every success in her future career.

That this House salutes President Mary Robinson of Ireland, the 'President with a purpose', on her brave and successful efforts over the last seven years to improve relations between the peoples of these islands, to raise the status of her country around the world as well as the status of...

That this House recalls and condemns the tragedy of Israeli invasion of the Lebanon 19 years ago, on 14th March 1978, and subsequent aggression in July 1981, June 1982 and July 1993 and last year's massacre at Qana in April 1996; notes United National Resolution 425 of 19th March 1978 demanding the immediate unilateral withdrawal of Israel from South Lebanon and respect for Lebanon's territorial integrity, sovereignty and political independence; deeply regrets the complete lack of action to implement those resolutions; notes Israel's special relationship with the European Union, providing as it does considerable potential European influence on Israel to ensure compliance with United National resolutions and adherence to internationally accepted standards of human rights; and calls upon the British Government to demand at the forthcoming IGC and at all other pertinent occasions implementation of a system of monitoring Israeli actions and withdrawal as a requirement for continued trade preference and the present special relationship, stating categorically that there is noreason for further delay in positive reaction from Israel, which is crucial to the Middle East peace process.

That this House recalls and condemns the tragedy of Israeli invasion of the Lebanon 19 years ago, on 14th March 1978, and subsequent aggression in July 1981, June 1982 and July 1993 and last year's massacre at Qana in April 1996; notes United National Resolution 425 of 19th March 1978...

That this House joins with all other parliaments throughout the Commonwealth in the observance of Commonwealth Day on Monday 10th March and takes pride in the United Kingdom Branch of the Commonealth parliamentary Association, which leads in promoting parliamentary democracy throughout the Commonwealth, old and new, and facilitates the networking and interchange which unites the Commonewalth family of parliamentarians.

That this House joins with all other parliaments throughout the Commonwealth in the observance of Commonwealth Day on Monday 10th March and takes pride in the United Kingdom Branch of the Commonealth parliamentary Association, which leads in promoting parliamentary democracy throughout the Commonwealth, old and new, and facilitates the networking...

That this House believes that the committee stage of any public bill of a constitutional nature should be taken on the Floor of the House, thereby reflecting established precedent as set out in the First Report from the Select Committee on Procedure of Session 1945-46 (HC9-1) and as has always been the practice.

That this House believes that the committee stage of any public bill of a constitutional nature should be taken on the Floor of the House, thereby reflecting established precedent as set out in the First Report from the Select Committee on Procedure of Session 1945-46 (HC9-1) and as has always...

That this House records its deep appreciation of the Right honourable Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe's long and distinguished services to all Right honourable and honourable Members, past and present, as Chairman both of the Parliamentary Contributory Pension Fund and the House of Commons Members' Fund; notes with admiration his work and achievements in improving provision for the widows and other dependants of former honourable Members who have died; and expresses its appreciation also of the services of those of his fellow managing trustees who, like the Right honourable Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe, will be retiring from the House at the General Election.

That this House records its deep appreciation of the Right honourable Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe's long and distinguished services to all Right honourable and honourable Members, past and present, as Chairman both of the Parliamentary Contributory Pension Fund and the House of Commons Members' Fund; notes with admiration his work...

That this House condemns the decision of the Israeli Government to go ahead with the Har Homa settlement in Jabal Abu-Ghneim, in East Jerusalem; believes that this has undermined recent progress in the peace process; notes that this will complete the ring of Israeli settlements separating Arab East Jerusalem from the West Bank; notes that this will intensify existing Israeli pressure on Palestinian residents of East Jerusalem; notes the protests being lodged at the UN by Arab states; notes the criticism of the Israeli decision by President Clinton and many leaders of European Union countries; welcomes the condemnation by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office; and urges that this is followed by continuing to hold meetings at the highest level at Orient House in East Jerusalem, the affirmation of United Nations resolutions on Jerusalem and British Government pressure to ensure that progress in the imminent final status negotiations on Jerusalem, settlements and borders is not rendered impossible by this action.

That this House condemns the decision of the Israeli Government to go ahead with the Har Homa settlement in Jabal Abu-Ghneim, in East Jerusalem; believes that this has undermined recent progress in the peace process; notes that this will complete the ring of Israeli settlements separating Arab East Jerusalem from...

That this House notes the application of the Republic of Yemen to become a member of the Commonwealth; believes that Yemen's joining the Commonwealth would make a positive contribution to the strengthening of democracy and the promotion of national reconciliation in that country, and to economic development and enhanced trade, particularly in the Aden free zone; further notes that it will positively contribute to regional peace and stability in the Arabian Peninsula and the Red Sea region, as well as to good and harmonious community relations in a number of Britain's towns and cities where there is a substantial Yemeni community, including Sheffield, Newcastle, Birmingham, Liverpool, Cardiff and Tower Hamlets in London; notes that the renewed interest in Commonwealth membership on the part of Yemen, as well as other states in the Middle East and Africa, is testimony to the continued relevance of the Commonwealth and to the integrity of its leadership; and looks forward to seeing the Republic of Yemen welcomed to membership at October's Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Edinburgh.

That this House notes the application of the Republic of Yemen to become a member of the Commonwealth; believes that Yemen's joining the Commonwealth would make a positive contribution to the strengthening of democracy and the promotion of national reconciliation in that country, and to economic development and enhanced trade,...

That this House supports National Marriage Week; notes that recent surveys have shown support for marriage ranging from 75 per cent. of the population to 84 per cent. among young people; is concerned at the limitations of the public consultation exercise conducted by SCAA into Values in Education and the Community and regrets that marriage was excluded from the original report; notes that both the Church of England and the Roman Catholic Church have expressed concern regarding its lack of support for marriage and have called for the report to promote marriage; supports the promotion of marriage between a man and a woman as the ideal foundation for family life; and calls on the Chief Executive to pass the final report to the Secretary of State without further delay.

That this House supports National Marriage Week; notes that recent surveys have shown support for marriage ranging from 75 per cent. of the population to 84 per cent. among young people; is concerned at the limitations of the public consultation exercise conducted by SCAA into Values in Education and the...

That this House is deeply concerned by continued reports of human rights violations in Turkey; welcomes the public statement issued by the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture on 6th December 1996, which highlighted the blatant and widespread use of torture by Turkish police against both political and criminal suspects; deplores the imprisonment of prisoners of conscience; including human rights defenders and journalists; is concerned that the United Nations has received more reports of 'disappearances' in Turkey since 1991 than from any other country in the world; notes that the US State Department report of January 1997 and the Amnesty International Turkey report of October 1996 each refer to the serious human rights problems in Turkey; calls on the Turkish Government to implement the reforms of detention procedures recommended by the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture, conduct prompt and impartial investigations into all reports of extra-judicial execution and 'disappearance' and immediately release all prisoners of conscience; and calls on Her Majesty's Government to press the forthcoming 53rd Session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights to adopt a resolution urging the Turkish government to undertake these measures.

That this House is deeply concerned by continued reports of human rights violations in Turkey; welcomes the public statement issued by the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture on 6th December 1996, which highlighted the blatant and widespread use of torture by Turkish police against both political and criminal...

That this House condemns the continuing political support from the Conservative Party and its former Vice-Chair, the Right honourable Member for Chertsey and Walton, for the Albanian regime's leader, Sali Berisha, whose support for financially deregulated pyramid schemes has led to widespread financial ruin for Albanians; expresses concern that British diplomatic and trade support for the Shqiponja and VEFA holding company linked to Albania's ruling Democratic Party as well as for the Democratic Party itself may have led to violations of the Vienna Convention on the use of diplomatic bags as well as complicity in arms dealing with Rwanda and Afghanistan; calls for independent expert examination of artefacts thought to be from the National History Museum of Tirana given as gifts to the Prime Minister and other ministers by Sali Berisha in 1994; and urges the Westminster Conservative Association not to allow its address to be used by apologists for the Berisha regime.

That this House condemns the continuing political support from the Conservative Party and its former Vice-Chair, the Right honourable Member for Chertsey and Walton, for the Albanian regime's leader, Sali Berisha, whose support for financially deregulated pyramid schemes has led to widespread financial ruin for Albanians; expresses concern that British...

That this House is concerned that Londoners face a 14.4 per cent. increase in the share of council tax which goes to meet policing costs in the capital; is horrified that the Home Secretary has described this as 'a modest increase', particularly at a time when the overall number of police officers has fallen by 649, of whom 599 were police constables; recalls that the Prime Minister made a pledge to provide resources to increase police numbers nationally by 5000; demands to know where London's share of those extra resources has been spent; is concerned at the transfer of the burden of the cost of policing from central government to council taxpayers; wishes to know why Londoners are being asked to pay more for fewer police officers whilst experiencing the worst crime clear-up rate in the country; and calls upon the Home Secretary, in his capacity as the Police Authority for London, to arrange for a debate on policing in London at the earliest opportunity before the Dissolution.

That this House is concerned that Londoners face a 14.4 per cent. increase in the share of council tax which goes to meet policing costs in the capital; is horrified that the Home Secretary has described this as 'a modest increase', particularly at a time when the overall number of...

That this House highlights the case of Scots Guardsmen Jim Fisher and Mark Wright, soldiers with exemplary records who, as a consequence of their actions, when acting to protect civilian personnel and interests whilst on duty in Northern Ireland at a time of high terrorist alert, were convicted by a Civil Court of murder; and notes that they have now served four and a half years of that sentence, longer, by over a year, than previous sentences served by soldiers similarly convicted for wrongful judgement; offer no threat to society and should be considered for release at an early date.

That this House highlights the case of Scots Guardsmen Jim Fisher and Mark Wright, soldiers with exemplary records who, as a consequence of their actions, when acting to protect civilian personnel and interests whilst on duty in Northern Ireland at a time of high terrorist alert, were convicted by a...

This House congratulates MERLIN which is a British medical charity providing emergency medical relief in disaster situations around the world; praises the rapid response teams of volunteer doctors and nurses for their work with refugees in war-torn areas of Rwanda, Afghanistan and the Caucasus; for their fight against tuberculosis in Siberia, cholera in Afghanistan, polio in Chechnya; for their feeding programmes for malnourished children in Sierra Leone; for their recovery programme in Yemen after flash floods; for their assistance in setting up health clinics and rehabilitating hospitals wherever possible; welcomes the current support from the Overseas Aid Budget; but notes that more money is urgently required to finance training of relief workers and to widen the scope of this excellent voluntary organisation.

This House congratulates MERLIN which is a British medical charity providing emergency medical relief in disaster situations around the world; praises the rapid response teams of volunteer doctors and nurses for their work with refugees in war-torn areas of Rwanda, Afghanistan and the Caucasus; for their fight against tuberculosis in...

That this House congratulates MERLIN which is a British medical charity providing emergency medical relief in disaster situations around the world; praises the rapid response teams of volunteer doctors and nurses for their work with refugees in war-torn areas of Rwanda, Afghanistan and the Caucasus, for their fight against tuberculosis in Siberia, cholera in Afghanistan, polio in Chechnya, for their feeding programmes for malnourished children in Sierra Leone, for their recovery programme in the Yemen after flash floods, and for their assistance in setting up health clinics and rehabilitating hospitals wherever possible; welcomes the current support from the overseas aid budget; but notes that more money is urgently required to finance training of relief workers and to widen the scope of this excellent voluntary organisation.

That this House congratulates MERLIN which is a British medical charity providing emergency medical relief in disaster situations around the world; praises the rapid response teams of volunteer doctors and nurses for their work with refugees in war-torn areas of Rwanda, Afghanistan and the Caucasus, for their fight against tuberculosis...