That this House condemns the long distance transport of horses for slaughter at abattoirs in other EU countries; notes it is estimated that more than 100,000 horses are fattened at farms before being transported in appalling conditions with little food and water for days at a time to slaughterhouses in Italy, the capital of Europe's horsemeat trade; believes that such practice risks spreading diseases to animals in other EU countries and has implications for human health; calls on the Government to seek to strengthen the existing minimum values legislation which prevents the export of live horses from the UK for such purposes to ensure that it is not vulnerable to challenge; and urges UK members of the European Parliament to be vocal in their support for the EU to enforce a carcass-only trade.

That this House condemns the long distance transport of horses for slaughter at abattoirs in other EU countries; notes it is estimated that more than 100,000 horses are fattened at farms before being transported in appalling conditions with little food and water for days at a time to slaughterhouses in...

That this House welcomes the Dignity For All campaign to ensure that the highest possible standard of care is provided to the elderly in care homes across the UK; supports the claim by Jenny Loughran of the campaign that care staff are a vital resource who make a significant contribution to identifying shortcomings in the level of care being provided; and urges all hon. Members to pledge their support to the campaign and ensure that only the highest possible level of care is provided.

That this House welcomes the Dignity For All campaign to ensure that the highest possible standard of care is provided to the elderly in care homes across the UK; supports the claim by Jenny Loughran of the campaign that care staff are a vital resource who make a significant contribution...

That this House believes that the Digital Economy Bill [Lords] is too important to be taken further in the last days of a dying Parliament; and considers that a bill with so many repercussions for consumers, civil liberties, freedom of information and access to the internet should be debated and properly scrutinised at length and in detail, with a full opportunity for public discussion and representation in a new Parliament after the general election and not rushed through in the few days that remain in this Parliament.

That this House believes that the Digital Economy Bill [Lords] is too important to be taken further in the last days of a dying Parliament; and considers that a bill with so many repercussions for consumers, civil liberties, freedom of information and access to the internet should be debated and...

That this House notes that the Knesset is currently considering a bill to ban the commercial fur trade; further notes that there would be an exclusion in this ban for fur used for religious purposes; further notes that a recent poll in Israel showed that 79 per cent. of people in that country support the ban; further notes that, while fur factory farming and the use of steel-jawed leghold traps are banned in the UK, furs produced using these cruel methods are still on sale here; and calls on the Government to take note of this proposed legislation and to bring in a ban on the fur trade in the UK as soon as possible.

That this House notes that the Knesset is currently considering a bill to ban the commercial fur trade; further notes that there would be an exclusion in this ban for fur used for religious purposes; further notes that a recent poll in Israel showed that 79 per cent. of people...

That this House notes that the 2009 Poppy Appeal raised a total of ??31,940,348; congratulates the Royal British Legion on another successful annual poppy appeal; commends the nation for its annual expression of support for the Legion's work and for armed forces veterans and current personnel; and thanks all those who wore a poppy for remembrance.

That this House notes that the 2009 Poppy Appeal raised a total of ??31,940,348; congratulates the Royal British Legion on another successful annual poppy appeal; commends the nation for its annual expression of support for the Legion's work and for armed forces veterans and current personnel; and thanks all those...

That this House notes the success of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme, introduced by the then Chancellor of the Exchequer in April 2001 as an interim measure pending review by the European Community of a directive covering rates of value added tax; further notes that whilst that work continues, the current scheme is due to end in March 2011; and requests that consideration is given early in the next Parliament to the continuation of reliefs on value added tax which the scheme provides for repairs, maintenance and professional fees to repair fixtures such as bells and organs to buildings of valuable heritage and community value in order to maintain them for future generations.

That this House notes the success of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme, introduced by the then Chancellor of the Exchequer in April 2001 as an interim measure pending review by the European Community of a directive covering rates of value added tax; further notes that whilst that work...

That this House recognises the importance of Holy Week and Easter Sunday to the thousands of Christians living in the UK and beyond; welcomes the fact that Christians in the UK are able freely to observe their faith; notes however, with concern, that many Christians across the world face persecution as a result of their Christian faith and believes that this is unacceptable; and calls on the Government to work with others to ensure that all Christians, no matter where they live, can observe their faith without fear or intimidation.

That this House recognises the importance of Holy Week and Easter Sunday to the thousands of Christians living in the UK and beyond; welcomes the fact that Christians in the UK are able freely to observe their faith; notes however, with concern, that many Christians across the world face persecution...

That this House looks forward to celebrating St George's Day on 23 April 2010; believes that the day of England's patron saint is an opportunity for all the people of England to celebrate their country's heritage and traditions; calls on the Government to mark the occasion by ensuring that the Cross of St George flag is flown from all public buildings on this day; encourages local authorities, schools, organisations and businesses also to fly the flag of England with pride for St George's Day; and further calls on hon. Members to support the campaign to establish 23 April as an annual public holiday, so that all the people of England may be united in celebrating the proud achievements and rich history of this green and pleasant land.

That this House looks forward to celebrating St George's Day on 23 April 2010; believes that the day of England's patron saint is an opportunity for all the people of England to celebrate their country's heritage and traditions; calls on the Government to mark the occasion by ensuring that the...

That this House notes that 2.5 billion people across the world live without access to sanitation and around 4,000 children die from diarrhoea every single day, more than AIDS, malaria and measles combined; further notes that in developing countries, half the hospital beds are filled with people suffering from diarrhoeal diseases like cholera; further notes that the charity WaterAid petitioned the Government and an amendment was made to the agreement made at the UN Millennium Summit in 2000 that the number of people living without access to sanitation would be halved by 2015; further notes that with just five years left time is running out in reaching these targets and that progress will be reviewed in New York in September 2010; and urges the Government to take action to prioritise the targets which are off-track, particularly on sanitation.

That this House notes that 2.5 billion people across the world live without access to sanitation and around 4,000 children die from diarrhoea every single day, more than AIDS, malaria and measles combined; further notes that in developing countries, half the hospital beds are filled with people suffering from diarrhoeal...

That this House mourns with great sadness the untimely passing of Dr Ashok Kumar, Member of Parliament for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, and formerly Langbaurgh; acknowledges the immensely high regard in which he was held in his beloved constituency and in both Houses of Parliament, across political divides; recognises the warmth he radiated to all he met; remembers the modesty he exhibited despite his formidable and highly impressive scientific record both in industry and academia; holds in awe his unsurpassed credentials in local campaigning; and notes that hon. Members and constituents will remember Ashok as a man of honour and integrity, and as someone motivated solely by a strong sense of duty and public service, who will be missed on the Commons benches but never forgotten.

That this House mourns with great sadness the untimely passing of Dr Ashok Kumar, Member of Parliament for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, and formerly Langbaurgh; acknowledges the immensely high regard in which he was held in his beloved constituency and in both Houses of Parliament, across political divides; recognises...

That this House welcomes the second annual National Cask Ale Week, 29 March to 5 April 2010; also welcomes the opportunity for brewers and pubs alike to remind the British public why cask ale is the UK's national drink; congratulates the success that the cask ale industry has enjoyed in the last 12 months with 71 new breweries opening in the UK, taking the total up to 660; notes the suggestion for pubs to host a number of exciting events up and down the country including beer festivals, food and ale appreciation evenings, tasting tips and try before you buy promotions; praises the Independent newspaper for its plan to publish a 16 page supplement on 27 March 2010 in support of Cask Ale Week; and encourages hon. Members to support their local pubs during Cask Ale Week 2010.

That this House welcomes the second annual National Cask Ale Week, 29 March to 5 April 2010; also welcomes the opportunity for brewers and pubs alike to remind the British public why cask ale is the UK's national drink; congratulates the success that the cask ale industry has enjoyed in...

That this House deplores the prospect of the international moratorium on commercial whaling being nullified by so-called compromise proposals being drafted for the International Whaling Commission (IWC) Conference in Agadir, Morocco in June 2010; notes with alarm that under the guise of reductions in whale slaughter through quotas, observers and DNA databases, two IWC working groups are proposing to legitimise the commercial whaling activities of the three countries who have persisted in hunting whales in defiance of the existing ban established by the IWC in 1986, in Japan, Norway and Iceland, and to allow whaling in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary; notes with anxiety that the proposed quotas are being negotiated towards a final revision of the draft proposals due in late April when Parliament may be dissolved; welcomes the concerns voiced by UK Government ministers about the worrying drafts now on the table which claim that `the moratorium shall remain in place'; stands by the environmental movement's landmark achievement of the whaling moratorium agreed in 1982 and introduced in 1986; and abhors the possible setback for wildlife protection at Agadir in June which could follow the failures on climate change in Copenhagen in December 2009.

That this House deplores the prospect of the international moratorium on commercial whaling being nullified by so-called compromise proposals being drafted for the International Whaling Commission (IWC) Conference in Agadir, Morocco in June 2010; notes with alarm that under the guise of reductions in whale slaughter through quotas, observers and...

That this House calls for the establishment of a credit union for small and medium-sized enterprises in local communities to help sustain such businesses as economic recovery begins; notes that such a credit union would help free-up access to borrowing for companies with any cash flow problems; recognises that the aim of this would be to provide a financial instrument that could assist these companies to survive until better times; further calls for the establishment of locally-funded and locally-managed investment banks to spread the risk of each company's cash flow needs; further calls for such a resource to be run and managed in the way that existing credit unions tackle doorstep debt with the aim of protecting jobs; urges the Government to back such an initiative in support of the existing help it has provided for companies like the Enterprise Finance Guarantee and the Capital for Enterprise Fund; and suggests that such a model could be tested out in selected communities including Halifax and if it proves to be successful rolled out to other parts of the country.

That this House calls for the establishment of a credit union for small and medium-sized enterprises in local communities to help sustain such businesses as economic recovery begins; notes that such a credit union would help free-up access to borrowing for companies with any cash flow problems; recognises that the...

That this House notes that the whaling moratorium was introduced in 1986 in order to combat the fact that many populations of the great whales had been drastically reduced by over-hunting, and that whaling itself, based on the firing of explosive harpoons into large and intelligent animals, was cruel; is concerned by the International Whaling Commission's (IWC) proposal to legitimise the commercial whaling activities of Japan, Norway and Iceland; understands that the proposal seeks to set official IWC quotas for whales that they may hunt, in all the places where they currently hunt them in defiance of the moratorium, including the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary, for the first time in 25 years; believes that such a proposal represents a conservational disaster; further believes that the proposal represents no guarantee of a significant reduction in the number of whales killed in the short term; and calls on the Government to oppose any proposal that condones or endorses commercial whaling if the issue is raised and voted on at the IWC conference in Agadir, Morocco, in June.

That this House notes that the whaling moratorium was introduced in 1986 in order to combat the fact that many populations of the great whales had been drastically reduced by over-hunting, and that whaling itself, based on the firing of explosive harpoons into large and intelligent animals, was cruel; is...

That this House acknowledges the National Farmers' Union manifesto for farming; recognises the depth of the challenge facing British farmers to maintain productivity levels, comply with environmental pressures and to sustain their businesses; and calls on the Government to pledge its support to the British farming industry by taking the seven policy statements in the manifesto into account when formulating the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs objectives.

That this House acknowledges the National Farmers' Union manifesto for farming; recognises the depth of the challenge facing British farmers to maintain productivity levels, comply with environmental pressures and to sustain their businesses; and calls on the Government to pledge its support to the British farming industry by taking the...

That this House supports the Unheard Voices - Women Can't Wait campaign by Concern Worldwide aimed at sending a clear message to the UN Summit in September 2010 to discuss progress on the Millennium Development Goals; notes the case made that of over one billion people now going to bed hungry every night at least 60 per cent. are women, despite the fact that they produce the majority of food in developing countries; further notes that women work two-thirds of the world's working hours, produce more than half of the world's food but only earn 10 per cent. of the world's income; agrees that women play a vital but unrecognised role in the fight against hunger; recognises the need for the UN and world leaders to act now to deliver support to poor women in the fight against hunger; and calls on them to do so, by listening to poor women's voices, developing gender-sensitive policy and programmes and by ensuring that funding and other support measures reach them.

That this House supports the Unheard Voices - Women Can't Wait campaign by Concern Worldwide aimed at sending a clear message to the UN Summit in September 2010 to discuss progress on the Millennium Development Goals; notes the case made that of over one billion people now going to bed...

That this House notes that in its recent investigation the Electoral Commission satisfied itself that Bearwood Corporate Services carried on some trade in the UK and is registered in the UK and is, therefore, a permissible donor; further notes the Commission's view that there is nothing in the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 which requires donations to a political party to be generated from a company's own trading; observes that the millions donated by Bearwood to the Conservative Party did not come from profits generated in the UK from trading but originated overseas; and calls for the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 to be amended to close this loophole.

That this House notes that in its recent investigation the Electoral Commission satisfied itself that Bearwood Corporate Services carried on some trade in the UK and is registered in the UK and is, therefore, a permissible donor; further notes the Commission's view that there is nothing in the Political Parties,...

That this House is concerned that the Valuation Office Agency, having failed to fulfil its responsibility to separately assess and list port companies in 2005 because it got 600 wrong and missed another 700 altogether, is now imposing the consequences of its own incompetence on the companies by massive demands for retrospective rates; considers that no government agency should have the draconian powers to impose huge retrospective charges out of the blue and acknowledges that the consequences will be job and investment losses, insolvencies and major costs on Britain's ports; calls on the Chancellor of the Exchequer to cancel these retrospective demands before local authorities are required to begin recovery proceedings; recognises that the companies have already been paying business rates through the cumulo rented system and should not be charged double taxation; and further calls on the Government to accept that any other course of action is unjust, unfair, deeply damaging and ruinous for the affected ports.

That this House is concerned that the Valuation Office Agency, having failed to fulfil its responsibility to separately assess and list port companies in 2005 because it got 600 wrong and missed another 700 altogether, is now imposing the consequences of its own incompetence on the companies by massive demands...

That this House commends the Institution of Mechanical Engineers' manifesto for UK engineering; recognises that engineering is integral to the UK's national economy and environment; urges the Government to take note of the proposals in the manifesto; and calls on the Government to put a regenerated UK manufacturing sector at the heart of its agenda.

That this House commends the Institution of Mechanical Engineers' manifesto for UK engineering; recognises that engineering is integral to the UK's national economy and environment; urges the Government to take note of the proposals in the manifesto; and calls on the Government to put a regenerated UK manufacturing sector at...