That this House welcomes the Third Report of the Social Security Committee into the Uprating of State Retirement Pensions payable to People Resident Abroad (HC 143) of Session 1996-97) and strongly supports its concluding recommendation: That there should be a free vote at prime time to allow honourable Members to express their opinion on the principle of whether the Government should pay upratings to some or all of those pensioners living in countries where upratings are not paid at present.

That this House welcomes the Third Report of the Social Security Committee into the Uprating of State Retirement Pensions payable to People Resident Abroad (HC 143) of Session 1996-97) and strongly supports its concluding recommendation: That there should be a free vote at prime time to allow honourable Members to...

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 expresses its deep concern that more than 50 years after the end of World War II those British children who were interned by the Japanese have received no direct compensation from any source; considers that action needs to be taken following the recommendations by the United Nations Working Group on Contemporary Forms of Slavery, adopted by the General Assembly, which welcomed the information that the Permanent Court of Arbitration is available to victims of violations of human rights, including various forms of slavery, and to states, should the parties wish to submit any matters to arbitration; draws the attention of the parties concerned to the possibility of making agreements on voluntary submission to the jurisdiction of the Permanent Court of Arbitration; considers that the prompt establishment of a Japanese administrative tribunal to deal with persons who suffered maltreatment, in particular subjection to treatment akin to slavery, would effectively settle such grievances; invites the Government of Japan to co-operate with the United Nations and the specialised agencies in this matter; notes that the Swiss and German governments have recently set up funds to compensate victims of human rights violations in World War II; and calls upon Her Majesty's Government to play its part in this process and in particular to co-operate with non-governmental organisations, which are seeking to negotiate an honourable settlement between the parties concerned.

That this House expresses its deep concern that more than 50 years after the end of World War II those British children who were interned by the Japanese have received no direct compensation from any source; considers that action needs to be taken following the recommendations by the United Nations...

That this House is deeply concerned that eleven people will die today and every day this year of asbestos-related diseases and therefore welcomes the Construction Safety Campaign lobby of Parliament, backed by the TUC and calling for an immediate ban on imports of asbestos products into the United Kingdom as well as fair compensation for those suffering from asbestos-induced diseases, along with a system of registering asbestos products in public buildings; and, in view of the Health and Safety Commission's statement about the need for action, calls on Her Majesty's Government to take the lead and press for a European-wide ban on the import of asbestos and asbestos products and to introduce a legal duty on owners to audit the asbestos in their premises, together with a tightening up of the asbestos removal licensing system.

That this House is deeply concerned that eleven people will die today and every day this year of asbestos-related diseases and therefore welcomes the Construction Safety Campaign lobby of Parliament, backed by the TUC and calling for an immediate ban on imports of asbestos products into the United Kingdom as...

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 welcomes the Third Report of the Social Security Committee into the Uprating of State Retirement Pensions Payable to People Resident Abroad (HC 143 of Session 1996-97) and strongly supports its concluding recommendation: That there should be a free vote at prime time to allow honourable Members to express their opinion on the principle of whether the Government should pay upratings to some or all of those pensioners living in countries where upratings are not paid at present.

That this House welcomes the Third Report of the Social Security Committee into the Uprating of State Retirement Pensions Payable to People Resident Abroad (HC 143 of Session 1996-97) and strongly supports its concluding recommendation: That there should be a free vote at prime time to allow honourable Members to...

That this House congratulates those trades unionists and other workers who have fought for the restoration of trade union rights at GCHQ since 1984; and calls on the Government, in the last few days of its administration, to make amends for its denial of civil rights to the employees of GCHQ by restoring to each individual the right to belong to a trade union of their choice and by paying appropriate compensation to those who were dismissed for staying true to their beliefs.

That this House congratulates those trades unionists and other workers who have fought for the restoration of trade union rights at GCHQ since 1984; and calls on the Government, in the last few days of its administration, to make amends for its denial of civil rights to the employees of...

That this House believes that industrial tribunal hearings should be held in public open court, no matter how high, influential or well-connected the respondent may be.

That this House believes that industrial tribunal hearings should be held in public open court, no matter how high, influential or well-connected the respondent may be.

That this House, concerned that the States of Jersey have suspended Senator Stuart Syvret for drawing attention to the vested interest of former Senator Jeune, President of the Policy and Resources Committee, whose law firm Mourant du Feu and Jeune was promoting a controversial Limited Liability Partnership Bill on behalf of Price Waterhouse and Ernst and Young, and participating in a speeded up passage for it; notes with regret that the States have agreed to a proposal by Senator F H Walker, proprietor of the Jersey newspaper, to force Senator Syvret to withdraw allegations which are essentially true, and to expel him if he refuses, a draconian penalty that would never be used in similar circumstances in this House and which defies the UN Convention on Human Rights, guaranteeing the rights of citizens to take part in public affairs through their freely chosen representatives and the European Convention on Human Rights, specifying that all citizens are entitled to a fair and public hearing which Senator Syvret has not had; further notes that the indictment quotes extracts from Syvret's letters to the Home Office and regrets that the representative of the British Government, the Lieutenant Governor, instead of acting independently, has acted with the Jersey establishment of which he is a part in condemning Syvret; and calls on the States to act with sense, and a due regard for democratic rights by restoring Senator Syvret to full membership and on the Home Secretary to ensure good democratic governance in Jersey.

That this House, concerned that the States of Jersey have suspended Senator Stuart Syvret for drawing attention to the vested interest of former Senator Jeune, President of the Policy and Resources Committee, whose law firm Mourant du Feu and Jeune was promoting a controversial Limited Liability Partnership Bill on behalf...

That this House expresses its grave concern about one of the newest ventures of the premium rate phone line industry involving the placement of free scratch cards in teenage magazines, on winning which children are told to call a premium rate number to claim their prize; notes that these calls may cost up to three pounds or more; further notes that while, technically, these prizes may be claimed by writing to the company, this information is contained in print many times smaller than the premium rate telephone number; points out that gambling problems in later life often begin in the early teenage years; accepts that this scheme is not technically a lottery, but a premium rate 'lucky dip', but fails to see any significant difference in its possible effects on the development of negative gambling behaviour in children; calls upon the regulatory body for the industry, ICSTIS, to implement stronger measures to prevent this type of exploitation; notes, with regret, that ICSTIS, the only body directly concerned with the regulation of premium rate telephone lines, is funded directly by the industry itself; and feels that the public would be more reassured if a review were to be carried out by a wholly independent body.

That this House expresses its grave concern about one of the newest ventures of the premium rate phone line industry involving the placement of free scratch cards in teenage magazines, on winning which children are told to call a premium rate number to claim their prize; notes that these calls...

That this House deplores the Government's failure to provide information on the reduction in the number of oral hearings by social security appeal tribunals resulting from recent changes in the regulations; and calls on Ministers to reply to questions on this subject so that the information is available in the Official Report.

That this House deplores the Government's failure to provide information on the reduction in the number of oral hearings by social security appeal tribunals resulting from recent changes in the regulations; and calls on Ministers to reply to questions on this subject so that the information is available in the...

That this House notes with disgust that the end of February marks the Waterloo Cup hare coursing finals, despite the fact that 20 years ago this House voted by a large majority for the abolition of hare coursing only to see supporters of bloodsports block the Bill in another place; is equally disgusted that the Waterloo Cup event continues to take place more than 40 years after the Government Committee of Enquiry into Cruelty to Wild Animals (Scott-Henderson Committee) condemned the event as cruel; is outraged that this persecution of hares continues despite the recent announcement by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee that the United Kingdom hare population has declined by 80 per cent during this century; and calls upon Her Majesty's Government to introduce legislation for a greater protection of hares, including an opportunity for a free vote of this House on a bill to outlaw hare coursing.

That this House notes with disgust that the end of February marks the Waterloo Cup hare coursing finals, despite the fact that 20 years ago this House voted by a large majority for the abolition of hare coursing only to see supporters of bloodsports block the Bill in another place;...

That this House notes the quotation by Paul Foot in the Press Gazette of 21st February that 'Justice can work both ways and sometimes journalists may have to intervene. Usually we fail. It is very rare that we actually succeed'; and congratulates him for a persistent, courageous campaign over the Bridgewater Four case, recognising that many will share insights into the reasons for an unsound conviction after pioneering and lonely work by a smaller number over the years.

That this House notes the quotation by Paul Foot in the Press Gazette of 21st February that 'Justice can work both ways and sometimes journalists may have to intervene. Usually we fail. It is very rare that we actually succeed'; and congratulates him for a persistent, courageous campaign over the...

That this House congratulates the Right Honourable Member for Old Bexley and Sidcup on his forthright and admirable endorsement of a national minimum wage, the Social Chapter and devolution for Scotland and Wales, on which he has been consistent for so many years; and commends his views to the Party he once led as Prime Minister.

That this House congratulates the Right Honourable Member for Old Bexley and Sidcup on his forthright and admirable endorsement of a national minimum wage, the Social Chapter and devolution for Scotland and Wales, on which he has been consistent for so many years; and commends his views to the Party...

That this House congratulates NASA and astronauts Steven Smith and Mark Lee on the successful completion of the second refurbishment mission for the Hubble Space Telescope during a seven hour space walk on 14th February; notes that the European Space Agency is a partner with NASA in the HST supplying the telescope's solar panel (built in Britain) and the faint object camera, and the sixteen major research proposals from United Kingdom astronomers have been accepted by the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore; recognises the United Kingdom strength in space science as demonstrated by our key involvement in major ESA projects which are already generating valuable information; and believes that while the prime objective of United Kingdom space plicy must be to encourage the development of a truly competitive space industry meeting user needs in fields such as satellite communications, navigation and Earth observation, achievements in space science are fundamental to understanding our environment and are a source of inspiration to young people to take up careers in science and technology on which the future of the nation depends.

That this House congratulates NASA and astronauts Steven Smith and Mark Lee on the successful completion of the second refurbishment mission for the Hubble Space Telescope during a seven hour space walk on 14th February; notes that the European Space Agency is a partner with NASA in the HST supplying...

That this House is appalled at the policy of the management of the Northern Rock Building Society who, since the announcement of their intention to float on the Stock Market, have held both their borrowers and investors to ransom by charging above average interest rates on investment accounts safe in the knowledge that huge numbers of their customers are trapped in their respective accounts in fear of missing out on conversion shares; furthermore notes that they doubled the Government's one quarter point base rate rise to their borrowers on 1st January, which they have now reversed by a cut of one fifth of a point, which has resulted in a cost to the typical Northern Rock borrower of ??30, which should be repaid; and is not surprised that the Northern Rock has one of the worst reputations in the industry.

That this House is appalled at the policy of the management of the Northern Rock Building Society who, since the announcement of their intention to float on the Stock Market, have held both their borrowers and investors to ransom by charging above average interest rates on investment accounts safe in...

That this House seeks the return of the Lindisfarne Gospels to a permanent home in the North of England; notes that the Gospels date from 698 AD and represent the first great religious and cultural achievement which combines the Roman, Celtic and Saxon traditions; notes that they were prepared for the shrine of St. Cuthbert on the island of Lindisfarne, now known as Holy Island, off the North East coast of the then Kingdom of Northumbria; notes that the permanent home of the shrine of St. Cuthbert and the Gospels was, from 995 AD to the Reformation, the great Cathedral of Durham; notes that the brief 1987 and 1996 return of the Gospels to Durham and to Newcastle resulted in large attendances of local people; and therefore calls upon the Secretary of State for National Heritage and the trustees of the British Museum to arrange for the permanent return of the Gospels to the North.

That this House seeks the return of the Lindisfarne Gospels to a permanent home in the North of England; notes that the Gospels date from 698 AD and represent the first great religious and cultural achievement which combines the Roman, Celtic and Saxon traditions; notes that they were prepared for...