That this House expresses concern at President Bush's intention 'to move beyond the constraints' of the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty in developing Missile Defence; and endorses the unanimous conclusions of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, which recommended that the Government voice the grave doubts about NMD in the UK, questioned whether US plans to deploy NMD represent an appropriate response to the proliferation problems faced by the international community; and recommended that the Government encourage the USA to explore all ways of reducing the threat it perceives.

That this House expresses concern at President Bush's intention 'to move beyond the constraints' of the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty in developing Missile Defence; and endorses the unanimous conclusions of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, which recommended that the Government voice the grave doubts about NMD in the UK, questioned whether...

That this House notes that international currency speculation currently stands at about $1.5 trillion a day and that the vast majority of this is unrelated to trade in real goods and services; further notes that such enormous speculative flows substantially undermine the powers of national governments and regional blocs; believes that a small levy on such speculation, known as the Tobin Tax, after the name of the Nobel Laureate who originated the concept, could both help to dampen down the scale and scope of speculation and raise substantial revenues, raising as much as $250 billion each year for good causes such as development and environmental protection; recognises that such a levy would have to be universal or as near to that as possible and contain safeguards to minimise and eliminate tax evasion; notes that the Tobin Tax has the backing of the Canadian Parliament, the Belgian Parliament, the Finnish Government and campaign groups such as War on Want; and urges the Government to discuss the concept with its partners in international organisations such as the World Trade Organisation, the IMF, G8 and the European Union with a view to drawing up an internationally co-ordinated and feasible tax regime for currency speculation.

That this House notes that international currency speculation currently stands at about $1.5 trillion a day and that the vast majority of this is unrelated to trade in real goods and services; further notes that such enormous speculative flows substantially undermine the powers of national governments and regional blocs; believes...

That this House calls for the dedicated Scottish Parliament television channel within the Parliamentary Estate to be connected as soon as possible, on the same basis as the Welsh Assembly, to allow honourable Members to keep abreast of all issues being debated by the Scottish Parliament.

That this House calls for the dedicated Scottish Parliament television channel within the Parliamentary Estate to be connected as soon as possible, on the same basis as the Welsh Assembly, to allow honourable Members to keep abreast of all issues being debated by the Scottish Parliament.

That this House welcomes the Government's support for the creation of a Central Services Organisation for credit unions as stated in the 1999 Goodwin Report; notes that a draft CSO business plan was completed by the Association for British Credit Unions in August 2000, that the plan proposes a central finance facility to pool credit union liquidity, strengthens credit unions to enable them to comply with the new regulatory regime and gives support for the development of both new and existing credit unions; further notes that the establishment of the Central Services Organisation will require continuing firm Government support; and therefore calls upon Her Majesty's Treasury to take a leadership role to ensure the early setting up of the Central Services Organisation.

That this House welcomes the Government's support for the creation of a Central Services Organisation for credit unions as stated in the 1999 Goodwin Report; notes that a draft CSO business plan was completed by the Association for British Credit Unions in August 2000, that the plan proposes a central...

That this House is concerned at the huge increase in energy consumption in offices, where energy consumption grew by 65 per cent. from 1973 to 1996, faster than in any other sector of the economy, and is projected by the EC to exceed growth in all other sectors except transport; notes that because 90 per cent. of offices are leased or rented, there is no incentive to improve the building fabric as energy costs are paid by tenants and not the landlord, nor any incentive for tenants who do not own the building; believes that further policy initiatives are necessary to persuade and assist freeholders in improving the energy efficiency of offices and congratulates those forward-thinking property owners such as Prudential Property Portfolio for their call for commercial properties to undergo mandatory energy audits every five years, with recommendations to be implemented before the next audit; and believes this will save energy, helping to combat climate change and create jobs.

That this House is concerned at the huge increase in energy consumption in offices, where energy consumption grew by 65 per cent. from 1973 to 1996, faster than in any other sector of the economy, and is projected by the EC to exceed growth in all other sectors except transport;...

That this House, in celebrating the first anniversary of the Campaign for English Regions' fight for elected governments in the English regions, urges Her Majesty's Government to put forward devolution proposals to give to these regions which want regional government, the same ability to manage their own destinies which has been conceded to Scotland; points out that there is a growing demand from the regions for government to be brought closer to the people, that the plethora of regional bodies, government offices and development agencies which has already been developed in the regions needs to be made democratically accountable, and that several regions such as the North, the North West, Yorkshire and Humberside, the West Midlands and the South West have demonstrated their desire for regional government by setting up regional assemblies or holding regional conventions, or both; and feels that their efforts deserve to be rewarded by allowing those regions which wish to do so, to move forward to elected regional governments.

That this House, in celebrating the first anniversary of the Campaign for English Regions' fight for elected governments in the English regions, urges Her Majesty's Government to put forward devolution proposals to give to these regions which want regional government, the same ability to manage their own destinies which has...

That this House notes the report by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation published last year that highlighted the fact that over four million people in the UK do not have access to healthy food, and the work on this issue by SUSTAIN, the national food campaign; notes too that this can be caused by a number of factors such as inadequate income, lack of reasonable access to shops or other outlets selling such food and inadequate information; and therefore welcomes the Food Poverty (Eradication) Bill, which will require the drawing up and implementation of local and national strategies to end this problem.

That this House notes the report by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation published last year that highlighted the fact that over four million people in the UK do not have access to healthy food, and the work on this issue by SUSTAIN, the national food campaign; notes too that this can...

That this House congratulates the road safety organisation Brake on organising the UK's fourth Road Safety Week, from 31st March to 6th April; applauds Brake on the launch of its Pledge to Drive Safely campaign; views with deep concern that every year 3,400 people are killed and 39,000 are seriously injured in road crashes; requests decision makers, those in the public eye and opinion formers to set an example by signing the Pledge to Drive Safety; welcomes the involvement of 15,000 schools, companies and community groups in holding road safety initiatives during Road Safety Week; and calls on the Government, working in partnership with local government, other agencies and road safety organisations, to raise awareness of road safety further and provide the means to prevent deaths and injuries through greater investment in road safety education, enforcement and engineering measures.

That this House congratulates the road safety organisation Brake on organising the UK's fourth Road Safety Week, from 31st March to 6th April; applauds Brake on the launch of its Pledge to Drive Safely campaign; views with deep concern that every year 3,400 people are killed and 39,000 are seriously...

That this House welcomes the fact that the United States has banned the importation of products made with dog and cat fur; is concerned that this ban means that more of these products may now be imported into the EU and the United Kingdom; is further concerned that consumers may not be aware that products they are buying may be made from dog and cat fur; and urges Her Majesty's Government to bring in a ban on the import, export and domestic trade in dog and cat fur or of products made with dog and cat fur as soon as possible.

That this House welcomes the fact that the United States has banned the importation of products made with dog and cat fur; is concerned that this ban means that more of these products may now be imported into the EU and the United Kingdom; is further concerned that consumers may...

That this House welcomes the publication of the report of the Equal Opportunities Commission's employer-led Equal Pay Taskforce; recognises that 30 years after the Equal Pay Act 1970 there remains a substantial pay gap between women and men, currently at 18 per cent; and calls upon Government, trade unions and employers to support the Equal Opportunities Commission's 'Valuing Women' campaign to eliminate the gender pay gap.

That this House welcomes the publication of the report of the Equal Opportunities Commission's employer-led Equal Pay Taskforce; recognises that 30 years after the Equal Pay Act 1970 there remains a substantial pay gap between women and men, currently at 18 per cent; and calls upon Government, trade unions and...

That this House notes that the competitive strength of the United Kingdom's ceramic industry is based upon its reputation for quality products, and its skilled workforce, whose experience has been developed over 400 years of production and world trade; further notes that there is a recent trend for ceramic products to be sold in the United Kingdom that are produced externally through outsourcing, and that they are being sold in the United Kingdom with either no or misrepresentative information placed upon them as to their country of manufacture and that this practice continues because of a lack of any legislative provision preventing it; believes that as a result of this practice consumers are being misled and prevented from making an informed choice, so as to distort the free operation of the market and to undermine domestic production; resolves to support the industry's calls for a statutory mark of origin to be introduced that would be placed on ceramic goods reflecting where the produce was first fired; and calls on the Government to bring forward legislation accordingly.

That this House notes that the competitive strength of the United Kingdom's ceramic industry is based upon its reputation for quality products, and its skilled workforce, whose experience has been developed over 400 years of production and world trade; further notes that there is a recent trend for ceramic products...

That this House notes that on Valentine's Day many MPs will receive hearts and flowers but for many constituents the gift of a heart or kidney could be a lifesaver; hopes that the understandable anger and concern generated by reports of unauthorised organ retention does not have an adverse impact on the entirely separate issue of organ donation; notes that while over 6,000 people are on the waiting list for a transplant, only 14 per cent. of people are registered to donate their organs; regrets that the numbers waiting for a transplant increased by 55 per cent. over 10 years, with 5 per cent. fewer transplants in 1999 than in 1990, resulting in a mounting number of deaths each year as fewer organs become available; and calls on the Government to instigate a radical review of the organ donation system as a matter or urgency to ensure that this country has the most effective way of regulating and organising organ donation.

That this House notes that on Valentine's Day many MPs will receive hearts and flowers but for many constituents the gift of a heart or kidney could be a lifesaver; hopes that the understandable anger and concern generated by reports of unauthorised organ retention does not have an adverse impact...

That this House reiterates its support for energy conservation as a 'win win' situation for people and the environment and therefore welcomes the Four Steps Forward campaign recently launched by the Association for Conservation of Energy; notes that this calls for the achievement of the 30 per cent. energy targets in the domestic sector supported by all parties in this House when the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 was enacted; and for the improvement of Part L of the Building Regulations which relates to thermal insulation as promised by the Government in 1999 and supported by the Environment, Transport and Regions select committee, and for a scheme to give home buyers a rebate on stamp duty if they carry out certain works to improve the energy efficiency of their homes thus providing a clear incentive for homes buyers to invest in such measures and for the setting of targets for energy conservation in the offices sector, thus tackling the alarming situation whereby energy use in this sector rose between 40 per cent. between 1990 and 1995 and projected annual rates of increase over the next decade are greater than all other sectors put together; and so hopes that speedy action will be taken on these matters so reducing CO2 emissions and creating jobs.

That this House reiterates its support for energy conservation as a 'win win' situation for people and the environment and therefore welcomes the Four Steps Forward campaign recently launched by the Association for Conservation of Energy; notes that this calls for the achievement of the 30 per cent. energy targets...

That this House believes that the practice of integrating occupational pensions with the state pension, commonly known as clawback, which allows employers to deduct a significant proportion of their employees' pension, affecting up to 2.5 million pensioners across the United Kingdom and hitting the lowest paid and part-time workers hardest, is unfair, as pensioners who have paid national insurance contributions all their working lives are entitled to benefit from the provisions intended by Government to be available to all; and believes that the Government should legislate to phase out this practice, following the example set by the Republic of Ireland where a recently introduced Bill, which had the full support of the Irish Government, states that the amount deducted from occupational pension payments by trustees of pension schemes cannot increase when the amount of the state pension is increased, effectively freezing the amount which can be deducted.

That this House believes that the practice of integrating occupational pensions with the state pension, commonly known as clawback, which allows employers to deduct a significant proportion of their employees' pension, affecting up to 2.5 million pensioners across the United Kingdom and hitting the lowest paid and part-time workers hardest,...

That this House deplores the issuing of an arms export licence for the refurbishment of Moroccan heavy artillery in occupied Western Sahara; is concerned by the support the United Nations gave for this licence; believes Her Majesty's Government has contravened the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports; and calls on Britain to end all arms licensing for Morocco until the people of Western Sahara achieve self-determination.

That this House deplores the issuing of an arms export licence for the refurbishment of Moroccan heavy artillery in occupied Western Sahara; is concerned by the support the United Nations gave for this licence; believes Her Majesty's Government has contravened the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports; and calls...

That this House notes European Commission proposals which could hand over responsibility of meat inspection to the abattoir industry; believes that independence in meat inspection is of critical importance to maintaining safety standards; is concerned that self-regulation, as proposed by the Commission, would lead to a fall in the standards of meat hygiene and an increased threat to public health; is particularly concerned about the greater risk of meat related food-borne illnesses such as e-coli and BSE were meat inspection to be privatised; also notes that in the USA and Australia the privatisation of meat inspection has not been shown to improve meat hygiene or consumer protection; calls upon the Government to launch an independent inquiry into the impact of the Commission's proposals; and further calls on the Government to allow full and proper parliamentary debate in relation to these proposals.

That this House notes European Commission proposals which could hand over responsibility of meat inspection to the abattoir industry; believes that independence in meat inspection is of critical importance to maintaining safety standards; is concerned that self-regulation, as proposed by the Commission, would lead to a fall in the standards...

That this House considers that a pint served in a pub should be 100 per cent. liquid; notes research conducted by CAMRA which reveals that 80 per cent. of pints served in pubs are under measure, some by up to 15 per cent.; further notes that current legislation is insufficient to protect consumers from short measures and that attempts at self-regulation have comprehensively failed; commends the West Midlands Brewer, Wolverhampton and Dudley for its decision to serve full pints without charging higher prices and notes that there is no correlation between the amount of beer served to customers and the price charged; believes that there is an urgent need for legislation to protect Britain's 15 million beer and cider drinkers from short measures; and above all welcomes the Government's proposals to introduce more effective protection against short measures.

That this House considers that a pint served in a pub should be 100 per cent. liquid; notes research conducted by CAMRA which reveals that 80 per cent. of pints served in pubs are under measure, some by up to 15 per cent.; further notes that current legislation is insufficient...

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...

That this House deplores the invidious position faced by Merchant Navy officers whose contracts are being terminated on ships in the Associated Bulk Carriers fleet that is being sold by the P and O Group; notes that, despite being UK citizens and having many years of loyal service, these officers are employed on 'offshore' contracts; notes the nature of these contracts, based in Bermuda, is such that these officers are denied the employment protection rights that are extended to British workers ashore and are therefore exposed to a non-UK legal system with which they are unfamiliar; notes that the arrangements mean that these officers are effectively denied the right to pursue legitimate contractual issues through the UK and European legal systems; urges P and O to look again at this situation, in the light of their massive cost savings made by this sale, to ensure that the officers receive, as a minimum a settlement equivalent to, their full pay for the notice period; and also urges the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions to look again at the proposals of the Working Group on Shipping with regard to protection of those people working on 'offshore' contracts.

That this House deplores the invidious position faced by Merchant Navy officers whose contracts are being terminated on ships in the Associated Bulk Carriers fleet that is being sold by the P and O Group; notes that, despite being UK citizens and having many years of loyal service, these officers...

That this House regrets the death in Dublin of the Palestinian representative to Ireland Dr Youssef Allan at the early age of 47; recalls the more than 20 years of dedicated activism in Great Britain and Ireland of Dr Allan, a Palestinian refugee from the village of Halhoul near Hebron, during which time he became a well-recognised and much-loved figure in Parliament and in the country; in particular recalls his work with the British trades unions involving years of attendance at the conferences and meetings of almost all the country's unions, his role as a co-founder of the Trades Unions Friends of Palestine, his time as the publisher of the Palestine Post and his role in the historic 1980 twinning of Dundee - at whose university he took his PhD - and the Palestinian city of Nablus; and extends its condolences to his widow Jayne and to his family in Palestine as well as the Palestinian National Authority, whose able ambassador to the Republic of Ireland he was until his untimely death.

That this House regrets the death in Dublin of the Palestinian representative to Ireland Dr Youssef Allan at the early age of 47; recalls the more than 20 years of dedicated activism in Great Britain and Ireland of Dr Allan, a Palestinian refugee from the village of Halhoul near Hebron,...