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 congratulates Clydebank Asbestos Group on its highly successful rally on 31st March for victims of asbestos-related diseases deprived of compensation by the actions of Chester Street Insurance Holdings; thanks the Australian trade unions in Melbourne for organising a rally for 2000 people in solidarity; condemns the directors of Chester Street for causing the bankruptcy of Chester Street; notes that the Chief Executive of Chester Street, Mr Robert Hardy, organised the sale of Iron Trades to the Australian company QBE for less than its assessed value; notes that he then became its Chief Executive in QBE; notes QBE's soaring profits; condemns him for taking more than ??1 million for this work from Chester Street and Iron Trades; criticises the Financial Services Authority for damaging the interests of the victims of asbestos-related disease by approving the sale of Iron Trades; calls on the Association of British Insurers to raise a levy on the industry to compensate those who have been damaged by Chester Street's actions; welcomes the statement by the Secretary of State for Scotland that the Government will face up to its responsibilities too and that its first priority has to be the sick and dying; calls on the insurance industry, employers and the Government to ensure that any asbestos disease sufferer will be fully compensated for the collapse of Chester Street; and calls on the Government to commission a full, independent inquiry into the conduct of Chester Street Insurance Holdings.

That this House congratulates Clydebank Asbestos Group on its highly successful rally on 31st March for victims of asbestos-related diseases deprived of compensation by the actions of Chester Street Insurance Holdings; thanks the Australian trade unions in Melbourne for organising a rally for 2000 people in solidarity; condemns the directors...

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 recognises the continued public unease surrounding the use of animal experiments; notes the half million signature petition presented to the Prime Minister's Office by Naturewatch supporters; deplores the excessive secrecy which still permeates the animal experiment industry; and urges Her Majesty's Government to set up a Royal Commission inquiry to review the effectiveness of and justification for animal experiments.

That this House recognises the continued public unease surrounding the use of animal experiments; notes the half million signature petition presented to the Prime Minister's Office by Naturewatch supporters; deplores the excessive secrecy which still permeates the animal experiment industry; and urges Her Majesty's Government to set up a Royal...

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 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 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 notes with interest the Government's shortlist of bidders to become the Government's strategic partner for National Air Traffic Services; believes that the only acceptable basis for the PPP to progress must be on the premise of not-for-commercial-return; notes that any such proposal based on reinvestment in the business, rather than profit-taking, is the best qualification any bidder can have in order to provide the vital public reassurance that safety will be the top priority; and urges the Government to reach an early conclusion to remove the uncertainty over future investment in NATS and the instability this has caused for the business, its employees and its customers.

That this House notes with interest the Government's shortlist of bidders to become the Government's strategic partner for National Air Traffic Services; believes that the only acceptable basis for the PPP to progress must be on the premise of not-for-commercial-return; notes that any such proposal based on reinvestment in the...

That this House recognises the enormous contribution made by British naval servicemen and women to the defence of this country; notes the concerns expressed by honourable Members from all parties about the plundering of naval war graves by some commercial and amateur divers; believes that naval war graves of all nations should be afforded greater protection under both existing legislation, such as the Protection of Military Remains Act and the Protection of Wrecks Act, and if necessary through new measures; welcomes Government moves to press for international laws to safeguard the graves of our naval heroes; and calls for the establishment of an exclusion zone around naval war graves for a minimum of 100 years from the time of loss.

That this House recognises the enormous contribution made by British naval servicemen and women to the defence of this country; notes the concerns expressed by honourable Members from all parties about the plundering of naval war graves by some commercial and amateur divers; believes that naval war graves of all...

That this House regrets that the General Medical Council has issued guidance to doctors that they should no longer pass on names to the National Cancer Register but supports the Science and Technology Select Committee's recommendation that the information relating to cancer sufferers be excluded for the requirements of the Data Protection Act and that names should be allowed to be passed on to the National Register, recognising that this information is vital for the national fight against cancer.

That this House regrets that the General Medical Council has issued guidance to doctors that they should no longer pass on names to the National Cancer Register but supports the Science and Technology Select Committee's recommendation that the information relating to cancer sufferers be excluded for the requirements of the...

That this House supports the Organic Food and Farming Targets Bill, which would require the drawing up of policies to ensure that, by 2010, at least 30 per cent. of United Kingdom farmland will be organic and that at least 20 per cent. of the food consumed in the United Kingdom will be organic; notes that such an increase in organic farming will provide innumerable benefits for consumers, farmers, the environment, and animal welfare; further notes that demand for organic production is increasing by at least 40 per cent. each year, but that 70 per cent. of the food consumed in the United Kingdom is imported; and notes approvingly the inclusion in the Bill of the clauses concerning the need to implement measures to ensure all sections of society have access to affordable organic food and that the market demand is met by the new United Kingdom production.

That this House supports the Organic Food and Farming Targets Bill, which would require the drawing up of policies to ensure that, by 2010, at least 30 per cent. of United Kingdom farmland will be organic and that at least 20 per cent. of the food consumed in the United...

That this House notes that the BAe Systems Govan shipyard is in the running for major defence orders; welcomes the recent decision of BAe management to share work for the Scotstoun sister yard with Govan until Spring; praises the yard's strong reputation for Clyde-built quality as the major employer at the heart of Govan; acknowledges that work is vital to secure the yard's future for its skilled and dedicated workforce; appreciates the efforts of MSPs, Scottish honourable Members and trade unions working together in campaigning for the Govan yard; encourages the Government to respond positively to the strong case for the Govan; and expresses total support for the Govan shipyard in bidding for current orders and future work.

That this House notes that the BAe Systems Govan shipyard is in the running for major defence orders; welcomes the recent decision of BAe management to share work for the Scotstoun sister yard with Govan until Spring; praises the yard's strong reputation for Clyde-built quality as the major employer at...

That this House recognises the continued public unease surrounding the use of animal experiments; notes the half million signature petition presented to the Prime Minister's Office by Naturewatch supporters; deplores the excessive secrecy which still permeates the animal experiment industry; and urges Her Majesty's Government to set up a Royal Commission inquiry to review the effectiveness and justification of animal experiments.

That this House recognises the continued public unease surrounding the use of animal experiments; notes the half million signature petition presented to the Prime Minister's Office by Naturewatch supporters; deplores the excessive secrecy which still permeates the animal experiment industry; and urges Her Majesty's Government to set up a Royal...

That this House congratulates the Government of the Philippine Republic on their Act of 1998 which promotes animal welfare in the Republic; notes with great concern that despite the legislation the illegal killing of dogs for food still continues; respectfully requests the Philippine Government to recognise the repugnant nature of this practice to many countries around the world; and calls upon the relevant authorities to enforce the terms of the 1998 Act by stamping out the selling of dogs for food.

That this House congratulates the Government of the Philippine Republic on their Act of 1998 which promotes animal welfare in the Republic; notes with great concern that despite the legislation the illegal killing of dogs for food still continues; respectfully requests the Philippine Government to recognise the repugnant nature of...

That this House notes with grave concern that Mohammed Chaudhry, a British citizen, has been held without charge by the Saudi authorities since his arrest on 23rd June 1999 following a five month internal investigation first by Colonel Abdullah Al-Mugari of the Military Police and then by Colonel Ali Johani from the Ministry of Defence into variances resulting from stock-take amounting to approximately ??1.5 million of medical supplies at Riyadh Military Hospital where Mr Chaudhry worked in storage and distribution; notes that the stock-take was cancelled in writing by the Chief Executive of the hospital before the variances could be completely investigated; notes that the investigating authorities never carried out a stock-take to establish facts; notes that, despite the fact that no further questioning by the police investigating the case has taken place since the first few days after his arrest, Mr Chaudhry, who has always denied any wrong-doing, remains in prison, without access to his lawyer, whilst other employees, including his immediate superior; Captain Meshal, are free; believes that a year is more than sufficient time to investigate any crime of this nature, and that the continued detention of Mr Chaudhry is a breach of natural justice and internationally accepted human rights; and therefore calls on the Saudi authorities to either release him to return home or, in the unlikely event that there is any case to answer, to bring that case forward against Mr Chaudhry to enable him to defend himself in open court.

That this House notes with grave concern that Mohammed Chaudhry, a British citizen, has been held without charge by the Saudi authorities since his arrest on 23rd June 1999 following a five month internal investigation first by Colonel Abdullah Al-Mugari of the Military Police and then by Colonel Ali Johani...

That this House notes with interest the adoption by the European Commission of a proposal for a directive on food supplements; observes that the purpose of the directive is to remove barriers to trade in vitamin and mineral supplements throughout Europe; welcomes the principle underlying the provisions of the directive, namely that consumers should be able to purchase vitamin and mineral supplements on general retail sale, provided that they are safe; notes that the proposed directive has the support in principle of the Health Food Manufacturers Association, Consumers for Health Choice and the National Association of Health Stores; invites Her Majesty's Government to continue to use its influence in Europe to ensure that this liberal but safety-based approach is maintained at the heart of the legislation during the coming debates, whilst at the same time working to remedy some of the other defects in the detail of the directive which do need to be addressed; and welcomes the exhibition in the Upper Waiting Hall mounted by the Health Food Manufacturers Association in the week commencing 5th June explaining the role of a wide range of health foods and natural health products in promoting a healthier nation.

That this House notes with interest the adoption by the European Commission of a proposal for a directive on food supplements; observes that the purpose of the directive is to remove barriers to trade in vitamin and mineral supplements throughout Europe; welcomes the principle underlying the provisions of the directive,...

That this House congratulates the Football Trust for its huge achievements, notably in helping professional clubs to implement the recommendations of the Taylor Report and to bring about the transformation of football grounds, providing venues that saw England host Euro 96 and which would be ready to host the World Cup Finals in 2006; notes that after investing ??400 million in the national game at all levels over the past 25 years the Football Trust is being wound up; welcomes the setting up of the Football Foundation as its successor body; and wishes the Foundation every success with its important work on grassroots football, community initiatives and ground improvements.

That this House congratulates the Football Trust for its huge achievements, notably in helping professional clubs to implement the recommendations of the Taylor Report and to bring about the transformation of football grounds, providing venues that saw England host Euro 96 and which would be ready to host the World...

That this House welcomes the report of the Park Homes Working Party and congratulates all members on two years work during which park owners and residents have come together to discuss the serious problems that blight what should be an important industry and a pleasant way of life; recognises that real progress has been made on issues such as the written statement, the recognition of residents' associations and harrassment, but nevertheless considers that necessary reform will be dependent on the Government's willingness to bring this important sector of affordable housing out of the realm of caravans and mobile homes; and calls for a new Act of Parliament to ensure that park homes are brought within housing legislation, to impose new statutory duties of registration and inspection on local authorities, to bring fair scrutiny of pitch fees and commission charges and to ensure that rogues and villains are prevented from exploiting vulnerable people and that responsible people flourish.

That this House welcomes the report of the Park Homes Working Party and congratulates all members on two years work during which park owners and residents have come together to discuss the serious problems that blight what should be an important industry and a pleasant way of life; recognises that...

That this House welcomes the recommendation of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence that the anti-cancer drug Taxol should be available routinely as a first-line treatment for women with ovarian cancer regardless of where they live; notes that as many as one-third of health authorities do not currently fund Taxol for all women who could benefit from it; recognises the financial constraints faced by health authorities; and calls on the Government to ringfence sufficient funding to pay for treatments recommended by NICE, so that patients are no longer denied access to effective drugs on the basis of cost.

That this House welcomes the recommendation of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence that the anti-cancer drug Taxol should be available routinely as a first-line treatment for women with ovarian cancer regardless of where they live; notes that as many as one-third of health authorities do not currently fund Taxol...

That this House welcomes the Government's proposals to enhance the Energy Efficiency Standards of Performance Scheme, which was originally introduced by the last Government with cross-party support; welcomes the cost savings and benefits in health and comfort delivered by energy efficiency programmes run by the electricity utility companies under the scheme over the last six years; congratulates the companies on this success and welcomes the Energy Regulator's decision to extend the next Standard to help gas consumers also; and believes that this scheme, that provides increased help to low-income and disadvantaged consumers, addressed fuel poverty and combats climate change, is worthy of continued cross-party support.

That this House welcomes the Government's proposals to enhance the Energy Efficiency Standards of Performance Scheme, which was originally introduced by the last Government with cross-party support; welcomes the cost savings and benefits in health and comfort delivered by energy efficiency programmes run by the electricity utility companies under the...