That this House is deeply concerned by the revelations of Peter Francis, former member of the Metropolitan Police Force's Special Demonstrations Squad, in relation to the unit's covert state surveillance of trade unions and their members, including Unison, the Fire Brigades Union, the Communication Workers Union, National Union of Teachers, and the construction workers union UCATT, together with the family of Stephen Lawrence, anti-racist groups, civil society organisations and political campaigners; welcomes the judge-led inquiry into the abuse of women by undercover police officers; calls for the remit of that inquiry to include the involvement of state agencies in the operation of blacklisting and the covert surveillance of lawful trade union activities; further welcomes the offer of Mr Francis to provide further evidence; and calls on the Home Secretary to offer whistleblowers immunity from prosecution under the Official Secrets Act in order to encourage people to come forward and disclose essential information in the public interest without fear of criminal charges being brought against them.

That this House is deeply concerned by the revelations of Peter Francis, former member of the Metropolitan Police Force's Special Demonstrations Squad, in relation to the unit's covert state surveillance of trade unions and their members, including Unison, the Fire Brigades Union, the Communication Workers Union, National Union of Teachers,...

That this House notes that children were born with serious deformities due to hormone pregnancy test drugs taken by expectant mothers between 1953 and 1975; further notes with concern that many of those affected cannot retrieve their medical records from this period; further notes evidence from 1964 which shows that GPs discussed moves to destroy reports about controversial medicines; welcomes the Government's announcement instructing the Women's Health Expert Advisory Group to carry out an independent review of all evidence on oral hormone pregnancy tests; and calls on the Secretary of State for Health to ensure that the review is fully comprehensive and transparent.

That this House notes that children were born with serious deformities due to hormone pregnancy test drugs taken by expectant mothers between 1953 and 1975; further notes with concern that many of those affected cannot retrieve their medical records from this period; further notes evidence from 1964 which shows that...

That this House believes that the Retail Price Index (RPI) remains the most accurate measure of the rise in the cost of living faced by UK workers; notes that over many decades the majority of pay bargaining in the UK has traditionally taken the RPI as its main reference point but that the Johnson Review poses a major threat to the continued publication of the RPI; further believes that given the alternative Consumer Prices Index (CPI) and CPIH measures run around one per cent lower than the RPI, this would deal further blows to the pay packets of workers who have been experiencing years of deep declines in the value of their wages; further notes that a rigorous study of inflation by Dr Mark Courtney which sets out why the coverage of the RPI is most relevant to the costs faced by workers; and further believes that the importance of accurate measurement is central to recent proposals calling for the introduction of an independent Living Standards Index to measure the success of Government in dealing with the cost of living.

That this House believes that the Retail Price Index (RPI) remains the most accurate measure of the rise in the cost of living faced by UK workers; notes that over many decades the majority of pay bargaining in the UK has traditionally taken the RPI as its main reference point...

That this House is concerned about the level of Value Added Tax (VAT) levied on women's sanitary products, such as tampons and sanitary towels; notes that, whilst female sanitary products are subject to a five per cent rate of VAT, shaving razors are subject to a zero per cent rate, as are other essential items such as food and children's clothing; believes that sanitary products are also essential and should be subject to the zero per cent rate of VAT; further notes Treasury estimates that VAT on these products raises just £15 million in revenue per year; acknowledges that the setting of VAT rates is a matter for the EU; and calls on the Chancellor to urge the European Commission to bring forward a proposal to remove VAT from women's sanitary products as part of measures in the 2015 Budget.

That this House is concerned about the level of Value Added Tax (VAT) levied on women's sanitary products, such as tampons and sanitary towels; notes that, whilst female sanitary products are subject to a five per cent rate of VAT, shaving razors are subject to a zero per cent rate,...

That this House notes with concern that some outsourced providers of public sector contracts are failing to pay their employees on the same terms and conditions as those carrying out the same work directly for the public sector; believes that all employees carrying out public sector work should have parity of pay and conditions whether employed directly or by an outsourced employer; further notes that some private sector contractors are failing to pay the living wage to their employees; further notes that employment terms and conditions drive low pay and that low pay contributes to poverty in the UK; and calls on the Government to ensure all public sector contracts which are outsourced to private sector providers include measures to ensure that workers are given parity of terms and conditions with workers carrying out the same or similar work directly for the public sector.

That this House notes with concern that some outsourced providers of public sector contracts are failing to pay their employees on the same terms and conditions as those carrying out the same work directly for the public sector; believes that all employees carrying out public sector work should have parity...

That this House calls on the Government to withdraw the Cyberstreetwise publicity campaign which makes a joke of dogs biting postal workers; notes that over 3,000 postal workers are injured every year and that two were nearly killed in 2007-08; believes that education, training, encouraging responsible dog ownership, enforcement and prevention should be a priority; and further believes this good practice will also be welcomed by the many thousands of party supporters who will be delivering leaflets in the coming weeks.

That this House calls on the Government to withdraw the Cyberstreetwise publicity campaign which makes a joke of dogs biting postal workers; notes that over 3,000 postal workers are injured every year and that two were nearly killed in 2007-08; believes that education, training, encouraging responsible dog ownership, enforcement and...

That this House believes that further education colleges are central to improving the nation's skills; shares the concerns of those working and studying in further education regarding the recently announced 24 per cent cuts to non-apprenticeship adult education funding in England; recognises that this will have a devastating effect on the sector and will shut the door on those sections of the community that rely on adult education the most; and therefore urges the Government to rethink this spending reduction which could threaten the future prospects of hundreds of thousands of people across the country.

That this House believes that further education colleges are central to improving the nation's skills; shares the concerns of those working and studying in further education regarding the recently announced 24 per cent cuts to non-apprenticeship adult education funding in England; recognises that this will have a devastating effect on...

That this House welcomes the Work and Pensions Committee inquiry into Benefits sanctions policy beyond the Oakley Review; notes the large amount of compelling evidence from the PCS union, charities, welfare advisers and academics showing that the current sanctions regime is excessive, punitive and failing; is concerned that sanctions are not a last resort, as their use and severity have both escalated dramatically and that they hinder rather than enable claimants to get work; and urges the Government to instigate a far-reaching independent review of sanctions and their effects and to suspend the 2013 stricter benefit regime at least until such time as such a review has been completed.

That this House welcomes the Work and Pensions Committee inquiry into Benefits sanctions policy beyond the Oakley Review; notes the large amount of compelling evidence from the PCS union, charities, welfare advisers and academics showing that the current sanctions regime is excessive, punitive and failing; is concerned that sanctions are...

That this House welcomes the publication of the Committee of Public Accounts report, HC705, Managing and replacing the Aspire Contract; notes the importance of the Aspire contract in creating a single IT system where previously numerous standalone systems that could not talk to each other had existed, and the 650 linked computer systems that now aid the collection of £50 billion in revenue for HM Treasury as a result; recognises the skills and business knowledge of current Aspire contract staff in achieving a 98 per cent delivery record and a 90 per cent reduction in downtime, as well as their expertise in working on the complex IT system; is troubled that the government proposals to break up that contract will limit contract sizes and risk serious problems, with untested suppliers being asked to work to technical specifications from a government department when both parties may lack the necessary skills; is deeply concerned that the current hubs in Telford and Worthing are being moved to a location hundreds of miles away, possibly even off-shore, and that critical expertise will be lost as staff are unlikely to want to transfer to an employer that has had a seven-year pay freeze; and urges the Government and HM Revenue and Customs to consider the value of the staff who work on the Aspire contract and the dangers of their proposals for the day-to-day delivery of the work.

That this House welcomes the publication of the Committee of Public Accounts report, HC705, Managing and replacing the Aspire Contract; notes the importance of the Aspire contract in creating a single IT system where previously numerous standalone systems that could not talk to each other had existed, and the 650...

That this House agrees with the United Nations Secretary-General that there is a dire humanitarian situation in Gaza; fears the outbreak of further hostilities unless the situation improves dramatically; notes the considerable amount of British and other international aid required to keep Gaza from deteriorating further and to assist in the reconstruction of infrastructure and homes; regrets that the Israeli authorities continue to refuse access to British elected representatives to visit Gaza via Erez checkpoint; further notes that, given the dangerous security situation in the Sinai, the Israeli-controlled Erez crossing is the only viable entry point; and asks the Government to do everything in its power to persuade the Israeli authorities to permit parliamentary access into Gaza to assess the situation, the needs of the population and how British funds are being spent.

That this House agrees with the United Nations Secretary-General that there is a dire humanitarian situation in Gaza; fears the outbreak of further hostilities unless the situation improves dramatically; notes the considerable amount of British and other international aid required to keep Gaza from deteriorating further and to assist in...