That this House supports WWF's Earth Hour 2010; notes the event's record of persuading one billion people worldwide to sign up to switch off their lights for an hour at 8.30 pm on 27 March 2010; congratulates those individuals, organisations, businesses and local authorities which have already pledged to take part; further notes that many British landmarks, including Canary Wharf, Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square and the London Eye will switch their lights off; and calls on the House authorities to ensure that the Palace of Westminster and all other buildings on the Parliamentary estate take part by switching off external floodlights and non-essential internal lighting.

That this House supports WWF's Earth Hour 2010; notes the event's record of persuading one billion people worldwide to sign up to switch off their lights for an hour at 8.30 pm on 27 March 2010; congratulates those individuals, organisations, businesses and local authorities which have already pledged to take...

That this House notes that the survival of the polar bear (Ursus maritimus) is threatened by climate change as well as the commercial trade in polar bear products, such as fur skins; further notes that the United States has submitted a proposal to list the polar bear on Appendix I of the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora (CITES); further notes that the polar bear satisfies the biological and trade criteria for inclusion in Appendix I; further notes that this listing is essential to ensure that commercial trade does not compound the threats posed to this species by loss of habitat; and urgently calls on the Government to support the US proposal to transfer the polar bear to CITES Appendix I.

That this House notes that the survival of the polar bear (Ursus maritimus) is threatened by climate change as well as the commercial trade in polar bear products, such as fur skins; further notes that the United States has submitted a proposal to list the polar bear on Appendix I...

That this House believes that it is vitally important to involve, rather than simply instruct, people and communities and local authorities in efforts to combat climate change; notes that the Sustainable Energy (Local Action) Bill, introduced by a cross-party group of hon. Members, will set in motion that process by giving councils and citizens a co-operative role in drawing up and implementing sustainable energy plans whose objectives would be to help combat climate change, protect energy security and alleviate fuel poverty; further notes that the bottom-up mechanisms in the Bill are based on those in the Sustainable Communities Act 2007, which was warmly supported on all sides of the House; and therefore supports the measures in the Bill and hopes they will be enacted soon.

That this House believes that it is vitally important to involve, rather than simply instruct, people and communities and local authorities in efforts to combat climate change; notes that the Sustainable Energy (Local Action) Bill, introduced by a cross-party group of hon. Members, will set in motion that process by...

That this House notes the Chancellor of the Exchequer's words in the Pre-Budget Report on the need to implement measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; is concerned, however, that new and innovative technologies such as passive flue gas retention systems and voltage optimisation technologies do not benefit from the reduced value added tax rate of five per cent.; and therefore calls on the Chancellor to rectify this and also publish a fiscal strategy for assisting with new technologies in his next Budget.

That this House notes the Chancellor of the Exchequer's words in the Pre-Budget Report on the need to implement measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; is concerned, however, that new and innovative technologies such as passive flue gas retention systems and voltage optimisation technologies do not benefit from the reduced...

That this House, acknowledging the role of accessible local bus services in the mobility of disabled people, recognises that the lack of audio visual information systems on buses makes those services difficult to use for many people; supports the Talking Buses campaign led by Guide Dogs and supported by 20 other national organisations; and calls on the Government to amend the Public Service Vehicle Accessibility Regulations to require audible and visual information systems on all new buses, which would announce next stop and final destination information.

That this House, acknowledging the role of accessible local bus services in the mobility of disabled people, recognises that the lack of audio visual information systems on buses makes those services difficult to use for many people; supports the Talking Buses campaign led by Guide Dogs and supported by 20...

That this House believes that the chalk rivers of England provide a unique habitat for a rich diversity of fish, riparian creatures and rare plant species which is under serious threat; expresses concern at the recent Environment Agency finding that less than 20 per cent. of the rivers and lakes of England and Wales are currently at `good' status due to growing pollution, over-abstraction of water and habitat destruction; and calls on the Government to develop a plan to protect and enhance the condition of rivers, including the chalk rivers, setting firm and demanding targets.

That this House believes that the chalk rivers of England provide a unique habitat for a rich diversity of fish, riparian creatures and rare plant species which is under serious threat; expresses concern at the recent Environment Agency finding that less than 20 per cent. of the rivers and lakes...

That this House notes that human rights activists, scientists, writers and journalists are prevented from publishing, and the public prevented from reading, matters of strong public interest due to the chilling effect of English libel law; further notes that libel actions in England and Wales cost 100 times more than the European average; further notes that the costs of defending a libel case are usually prohibitive and that even successful defendants do not recover their full costs; further notes the report of the United Nations Committee on Human Rights which criticises English libel law for its stifling of free expression globally due to libel tourism whereby foreign complainants bring cases against foreign writers for alleged libel in overseas publications; believes that public interest is endangered by powerful vested interests and corporations being able to intimidate writers into not publishing; recognises the recent report by Index on Censorship and English PEN, Free speech is not for sale andfurther notes the campaign for scientific freedom by Sense About Science; welcomes the formation of the Libel Reform Coalition to campaign for law reform; and calls for a re-casting of the libel laws such that, while individual reputation is protected against malicious or reckless smears, lawful free expression is not chilled and there is a fully effective public interest defence for both scholarship and responsible journalism.

That this House notes that human rights activists, scientists, writers and journalists are prevented from publishing, and the public prevented from reading, matters of strong public interest due to the chilling effect of English libel law; further notes that libel actions in England and Wales cost 100 times more than...

That this House agrees with the Save Our Sound UK campaign that wireless microphones are essential to live music, musical theatre, newsgathering, filmmaking, television production, sports events, concerts, conferences and community events in the UK; understands that over 95 per cent. of stocks of existing equipment will become redundant as a consequence of the impending clearance of the radio spectrum that they use; notes that this spectrum, once cleared, will be auctioned with significant revenues going to government; recognises that if these activities are to continue at current levels then all affected equipment will need to be replaced, at significant cost; further understands that Ofcom has consulted on a compensation package that the Government has committed to provide in its Digital Britain White Paper; but notes that Ofcom's proposals would only entitle some users to partial replacement costs, and the rest to nothing; is concerned that many of those who own and supply existing equipment could not afford to replace entire inventories, jeopardising all productions that depend on them; and therefore urges the Government to provide a compensation package that covers all fifteen spectrum channels being cleared, and at levels that cover the full costs of replacing existing equipment with like-for-like alternatives as this would prevent serious damage to this vital part of the UK's creative industries at a small fraction of the revenues that the spectrum auctions are likely to generate for government.

That this House agrees with the Save Our Sound UK campaign that wireless microphones are essential to live music, musical theatre, newsgathering, filmmaking, television production, sports events, concerts, conferences and community events in the UK; understands that over 95 per cent. of stocks of existing equipment will become redundant as...

That this House welcomes the National House-building Council (NHBC), the UK house-building standard setter and warranty provider, establishing the new health and safety awards which recognise and promote best on-site health and safety practice in the house-building sector; notes that on average there are 15 fatalities on Britain's house-building sites each year; further notes that history shows that as the UK emerges from recession, the number of on-site accidents in the house-building sector rises; recognises that the NHBC award scheme is the only scheme of its kind for house-builders; commends builders who invest in on-site health and safety and who provide a safe working environment; and hopes that their efforts will be recognised by these awards.

That this House welcomes the National House-building Council (NHBC), the UK house-building standard setter and warranty provider, establishing the new health and safety awards which recognise and promote best on-site health and safety practice in the house-building sector; notes that on average there are 15 fatalities on Britain's house-building sites...

That this House notes that the repeal of the furnished holiday lettings rules announced in the 2009 Budget will have negative and unintended consequences for providers of holiday lettings; believes that the negative impact of the repeal will lead to a reduction in the supply of self-catering accommodation in particular, resulting in a significant loss of jobs and damage to rural and seaside economies; further notes with concern the lack of any industry consultation on the repeal; and calls on the Government to conduct a full consultation and review of this policy change as soon as possible to ensure all affected parties have the opportunity to voice their concerns and to promote an understanding of and mitigate against any unintended consequences on tourism, especially in rural and seaside areas.

That this House notes that the repeal of the furnished holiday lettings rules announced in the 2009 Budget will have negative and unintended consequences for providers of holiday lettings; believes that the negative impact of the repeal will lead to a reduction in the supply of self-catering accommodation in particular,...

That this House supports the Prescription Promise campaign in urging the Prime Minister to implement his promise, made in September 2008, to abolish prescription charges for people with long-term conditions as soon as possible; believes that timely access to appropriate medication is crucial in order to minimise the impact of living with a long-term condition for the individual and to minimise the cost of treating long-term conditions for the NHS; is therefore concerned that the recession has made it harder for large numbers of people with long-term conditions to pay for their prescriptions and that many are going without vital medicines; notes that the Government has identified savings from the Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme of around ??550 million per year from 2010, which will be more than sufficient to cover the ??250-??350 million cost, estimated by the Department of Health, of implementing free prescriptions for people with long-term conditions; further notes with concern that Professor Ian Gilmore's review of prescription charges has not yet been published; and calls on the Government to publish this review and its own response as soon as possible.

That this House supports the Prescription Promise campaign in urging the Prime Minister to implement his promise, made in September 2008, to abolish prescription charges for people with long-term conditions as soon as possible; believes that timely access to appropriate medication is crucial in order to minimise the impact of...

That this House recalls that side effects of the drug Thalidomide, prescribed for prevention of morning sickness in the 1960s and 1970s, caused nearly 500 babies to be born with a range of severe disabilities; pays tribute to the campaign by journalists, politicians and others that eventually resulted in the manufacturers having to increase their compensation offer tenfold; nevertheless recognises, however, that this could not take account of unforseen future problems arising from Thalidomide; notes that, as the surviving victims enter their 40s and 50s, many of them face a host of new problems as their bodies suffer from the wear and tear that the overuse of certain muscles has caused, dramatically restricting movement and pushing the cost of mobility up; believes that these people should now receive direct help from the state; and calls on the Government to introduce a financial assistance package to improve the lives of Thalidomide victims.

That this House recalls that side effects of the drug Thalidomide, prescribed for prevention of morning sickness in the 1960s and 1970s, caused nearly 500 babies to be born with a range of severe disabilities; pays tribute to the campaign by journalists, politicians and others that eventually resulted in the...

That this House underlines the importance of demonstrating a strong commitment to policies to tackle climate change in the run-up to negotiations in Copenhagen; reiterates its welcome for the inclusion of feed-in tariff legislation in the Energy Act 2008; notes the strong support for this legislation from a wide variety of businesses, environmental, consumer and fuel poverty groups, trades unions, farmers and social landlords; further notes the huge technical potential for sub-5 megawatt decentralised renewable technologies to deliver up to one-third of the UK's electricity; believes that decentralised energy could make a considerable contribution to cutting the UK's carbon emissions, tackling fuel poverty, increasing energy security and generating green jobs; is concerned that tariffs proposed for the Government's Clean Energy Cashback scheme will mean decentralised renewable electricity is anticipated to contribute just two per cent. of the UK's electricity by 2020; considers this to be a wholly inadequate level of ambition; supports calls for a suitably ambitious tariff which delivers a higher return on investment; and calls on the Government to revise the proposed tariffs substantially to increase the level of ambition of the scheme and offer communities, households and businesses a significant role in driving UK renewable energy deployment.

That this House underlines the importance of demonstrating a strong commitment to policies to tackle climate change in the run-up to negotiations in Copenhagen; reiterates its welcome for the inclusion of feed-in tariff legislation in the Energy Act 2008; notes the strong support for this legislation from a wide variety...