That this House supports the Labour Friends of Iraq global appeal, which has been supported by numerous rank and file trade unionists and others across the world, to publicise the severe threat to the life of Nozad Ismail, the President of the Iraqi Federation of Trade Unions in Kirkuk, who has twice escaped assassins and who receives regular death threats; believes that the self-styled resistance in Iraq is deliberately targeting the leadership of the Iraqi labour movement and, therefore, the prospects for a united, secular and democratic Iraq, as was exemplified when Hadi Saleh, the International Secretary of the Iraqi Federation of Trade Unions (IFTU) was tortured and strangled before his house was ransacked for his comrades' contact details, when Ali Hassan Abd of the IFTU's Oil and Gas Union, was gunned down in front of his children, and when Ahmed Adris Abbas of the Transport and Communication Workers Union was also assassinated in Baghdad; and appeals for the widest possible support for the Labour Friends of Iraq initiative not only from supporters of the British Labour movement but from anyone with an interest in nurturing Iraqi democracy.

That this House supports the Labour Friends of Iraq global appeal, which has been supported by numerous rank and file trade unionists and others across the world, to publicise the severe threat to the life of Nozad Ismail, the President of the Iraqi Federation of Trade Unions in Kirkuk, who...

That this House notes that after the 17th April Turkish Cypriot elections there will be an opportunity for Cypriots themselves to have an input into a settlement; urges the Government to support projects which help this process, such as the opening of Green Line crossing points near Morphou and Nicosia's Ledra Street, continued de-mining in the Buffer Zone, the conduct by the EU of a property, and by the Council of Europe of a demographic, census in all Cyprus, early activation of the 259 million euro EU aid package to Turkish Cypriots, the institution of regular contacts between civil society organisations, the completion of the work of the Missing Committee, a monument on the Green Line to all Cypriots who lost their lives, focus group and public opinion polls to understand where progress can be made, work on teaching and textbooks, as promoted by the multi-communal NGO, The Association for Historical Dialogue and Research, and the Centre for Democracy and Reconciliation in South East Europe; and hopes that both leaderships can emphasise the importance of involvement of Cypriots in these projects and seriously consider unilateral implementation of confidence building measures to prepare the ground until a mutually acceptable procedure is reached for renewed negotiations.

That this House notes that after the 17th April Turkish Cypriot elections there will be an opportunity for Cypriots themselves to have an input into a settlement; urges the Government to support projects which help this process, such as the opening of Green Line crossing points near Morphou and Nicosia's...

That this House congratulates the Woodcraft Folk for its 80-year long contribution to the development of the youth of this country toward active citizenship; notes that this national organisation is one of the few that have truly empowered young people via its commitment to international understanding through well recognised children's and youth exchanges; also notes that in the year of the volunteer the Woodcraft Folk is featured as an exemplary case study on the Government's Sustainable Development website; is alarmed that despite all these facts Woodcraft Folk funding from the Department for Education and Skills through the National Voluntary Youth Organisations Grant Scheme has been withdrawn in this current funding round and for the next three years; and calls upon the Government to review this decision as a matter of urgency so that the valuable work of the Woodcraft Folk can continue.

That this House congratulates the Woodcraft Folk for its 80-year long contribution to the development of the youth of this country toward active citizenship; notes that this national organisation is one of the few that have truly empowered young people via its commitment to international understanding through well recognised children's...

That this House expresses its concern regarding Israel's deportation to Gaza of four Palestinian students at Birzeit University in the West Bank; notes that these Gazan students have not been accused of any offence; rejects as illegal the condition imposed by the Israeli military authorities that any resumption of their studies would be dependent on the students agreeing to return permanently to Gaza on graduation; is concerned that the illegal separation of the West Bank from the Gaza Strip exacerbates the existing barriers to Palestinian education and development; and urges the UK Government to insist that the government of Israel adheres to its legal obligations to allow unimpeded access for all Palestinian to their educational institutions.

That this House expresses its concern regarding Israel's deportation to Gaza of four Palestinian students at Birzeit University in the West Bank; notes that these Gazan students have not been accused of any offence; rejects as illegal the condition imposed by the Israeli military authorities that any resumption of their...

That this House congratulates the House of Commons Refreshment Department and its staff on their enthusiastic promotion of Traidcraft goods in the Commons cafeterias and restaurants; notes that Traidcraft, established as a Christian response to poverty, is this year celebrating its 25th anniversary of helping poor communities throughout Africa, Asia and Latin America with their fair share of world trade; and calls on the Government to follow the lead shown by Refreshment Department staff by instructing all its Ministers to follow suit.

That this House congratulates the House of Commons Refreshment Department and its staff on their enthusiastic promotion of Traidcraft goods in the Commons cafeterias and restaurants; notes that Traidcraft, established as a Christian response to poverty, is this year celebrating its 25th anniversary of helping poor communities throughout Africa, Asia...

That this House welcomes the Small Scale Renewable Energy Developments (Permitted Development) Bill introduced into the House by a cross-party group of honourable Members; notes that the Bill will grant permitted development status to such developments and therefore enable people to install them far more easily; notes too that the Bill promotes safeguards to ensure that visual, environmental and noise effects of such developments will be minimal; and believes that microgeneration is an exciting new way of combating climate change and of engaging people in achieving this objective.

That this House welcomes the Small Scale Renewable Energy Developments (Permitted Development) Bill introduced into the House by a cross-party group of honourable Members; notes that the Bill will grant permitted development status to such developments and therefore enable people to install them far more easily; notes too that the...

That this House welcomes the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Population, Development and Reproductive Health's Report: Linking Sexual and Reproductive Health and HIV/AIDS; notes that stronger linkages between sexual and reproductive health and HIV/AIDS are needed in order to combat HIV/AIDS and to improve maternal and child health; and recognises that taking action on one will also help to tackle the other.

That this House welcomes the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Population, Development and Reproductive Health's Report: Linking Sexual and Reproductive Health and HIV/AIDS; notes that stronger linkages between sexual and reproductive health and HIV/AIDS are needed in order to combat HIV/AIDS and to improve maternal and child health; and recognises that...

That this House welcomes the beginning of Fairtrade Fortnight on 1st March; recognises that the Fairtrade mark is the only independent guarantee of a fair deal for farmers in developing countries; notes the difference which can be made to producers in the developing world when towns and cities across the UK achieve Fairtrade status; welcomes the news that by the end of Fairtrade Fortnight 100 towns and cities across the UK will have reached Fairtrade status and that over 220 further towns and cities are actively running Fairtrade campaigns; welcomes the Department for International Development's support for the Fairtrade Foundation in the UK; and calls on the Government to continue to raise awareness and actively encourage schools, local authorities and retailers to adopt fair trade principles.

That this House welcomes the beginning of Fairtrade Fortnight on 1st March; recognises that the Fairtrade mark is the only independent guarantee of a fair deal for farmers in developing countries; notes the difference which can be made to producers in the developing world when towns and cities across the...

That this House notes that the women's prison population has more than doubled over the last 10 years to over 4,000; further notes that more women are sent to prison for shoplifting than any other offence and that women on remand make up nearly two-thirds of all women entering custody every year, more than half of whom, having served an average sentence of 39 days in prison, receive a community penalty or are acquitted altogether; is concerned that two-thirds of women in prison suffer from mental health problems and that more than half have drink or drug dependencies; notes that 17,700 children are separated from their mothers by imprisonment each year; and calls on the Home Office to provide more alternatives to custody for women, such as those profiled by the Smart Justice for Women campaign, and to invest properly in diversion schemes which prevent women from going to prison in the first place.

That this House notes that the women's prison population has more than doubled over the last 10 years to over 4,000; further notes that more women are sent to prison for shoplifting than any other offence and that women on remand make up nearly two-thirds of all women entering custody...

That this House pays tribute to Peter Benenson, the founder of Amnesty International, who died on 25th February; recognises his colossal contribution to the promotion and protection of human rights worldwide; fully concurs with the comments by Irene Khan, the current Secretary General of Amnesty International, that his life was a courageous testament to his visionary commitment to fight injustice around the world, that 'he brought light into the darkness of prisons, the horror of torture chambers and tragedy of death camps around the world' and that he was 'a man whose conscience shone in a cruel and terrifying world, who believed in the power of ordinary people to bring about extraordinary change and, by creating Amnesty International, he gave each of us the opportunity to make a difference'; and notes that Amnesty International is the world's largest independent human rights organisation, with over 1.8 million members and supporters committed to the upholding of human rights and the founding values set out by Peter Benenson.

That this House pays tribute to Peter Benenson, the founder of Amnesty International, who died on 25th February; recognises his colossal contribution to the promotion and protection of human rights worldwide; fully concurs with the comments by Irene Khan, the current Secretary General of Amnesty International, that his life was...

That this House notes with regret the imminent closure of Worldaware; acknowledges that for nearly 30 years it has provided a crucial and much-valued teacher resource for primary and secondary school studies into issues of global development; notes that Worldaware and its associate websites attract over one million hits a month; notes that Worldaware has won awards for its role in the teaching of world citizenship, part of the national curriculum; fears that its demise results from the unwillingness of either the Department for International Development or Department for Education and Skills to support its annual budget of approximately ??200,000 despite their recognition of its valuable work; and calls on the Government to review its policy on the assistance it gives to this respected voluntary organisation.

That this House notes with regret the imminent closure of Worldaware; acknowledges that for nearly 30 years it has provided a crucial and much-valued teacher resource for primary and secondary school studies into issues of global development; notes that Worldaware and its associate websites attract over one million hits a...

That this House congratulates Rotarians celebrating their 100th anniversary throughout Great Britain and Ireland, on the contribution made to humanitarian achievements at home and abroad by 1.2 million volunteer men and women Rotarians in 166 counties since Rotary International, the world's largest international service organisation, was founded by Paul Harris; notes Rotary's donation of $600million for the worldwide eradication of polio in partnership with the World Health Organisation, UNICEF and US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention; commends Rotary for its visionary Rotary Africa Hope project in partnership with Hope and Homes for Children for orphans of the Rwandan genocide and AIDS victims and in South Africa; applauds Rotarians for extensive community work with the needy, with schools and the elderly; and encourages present and future Rotarians to continue with their commitment to the advancement of international understanding, goodwill and peace.

That this House congratulates Rotarians celebrating their 100th anniversary throughout Great Britain and Ireland, on the contribution made to humanitarian achievements at home and abroad by 1.2 million volunteer men and women Rotarians in 166 counties since Rotary International, the world's largest international service organisation, was founded by Paul Harris;...

That this House warmly welcomes the presentation of the Crossrail Bill, which will provide the planning powers required for the construction of Crossrail; notes the enormous improvements that Crossrail will bring to transport links and in relieving congestion in the capital and across the South East; notes that the scheme will benefit the whole of the United Kingdom, by boosting the railway and wider manufacturing industry, and by ensuring that construction and engineering skills are retained and developed in this country; acknowledges the support that Crossrail will give to regeneration and economic development; and celebrates Crossrail as one of the largest infrastructure projects in Europe.

That this House warmly welcomes the presentation of the Crossrail Bill, which will provide the planning powers required for the construction of Crossrail; notes the enormous improvements that Crossrail will bring to transport links and in relieving congestion in the capital and across the South East; notes that the scheme...

That this House notes with concern that, almost two years after the diamond industry agreed to a system of self-regulation to prevent the trade in diamonds from regions of conflict, many retailers in the UK are still failing to provide consumers wih assurances that the diamonds they sell are not mined in conflict zones where profits have been used to arm militias that have killed, raped and mutilated millions of people; recognises that it is now time to move beyond the voluntary approach; and calls on the Government to inspect companies to ensure that the industry is implementing the regulations it has committed itself to and to report back to Parliament and the relevant international monitoring committee in 2005.

That this House notes with concern that, almost two years after the diamond industry agreed to a system of self-regulation to prevent the trade in diamonds from regions of conflict, many retailers in the UK are still failing to provide consumers wih assurances that the diamonds they sell are not...

That this House notes that Chantal McCorkle, a British citizen, was sentenced to 24 years and four months imprisonment in the United States for offences which might carry only a suspended sentence in the UK; further notes that the judge who sentenced her in 1999 expressed disquiet at the sentence that she felt obliged to give; further notes that recent cases of Blakely and Booker in the United States Supreme Court cast doubt on the sentencing guidelines then used and give grounds for an appeal; and urges the Government to support Chantal's lawyers and press the United States legal system to hear Chantal's appeal against sentence as expeditiously as possible and to ensure that no barriers are placed to Chantal's transfer to the UK to serve whatever remaining sentence she has after her appeal.

That this House notes that Chantal McCorkle, a British citizen, was sentenced to 24 years and four months imprisonment in the United States for offences which might carry only a suspended sentence in the UK; further notes that the judge who sentenced her in 1999 expressed disquiet at the sentence...

That this House remembers the principles established in the Access to Justice Act 1999 that it is not enough for people to have rights but that they must be able to enforce these rights; notes with concern that the number of people assisted by Community Legal Service funds has dropped by nearly half the number of those funded in 2000; recognises that anticipated additional funding from local authorities meant to provide legal and advice services has not occurred, giving rise to a legal aid lottery which denies people access to justice; notes with alarm that two law centres in Humberside and Liverpool face closure because local authorities have reduced or stopped their funding; further notes that people are increasingly losing their right to seek independent legal advice; believes that this undermines Government objectives for regenerating deprived neighbourhoods, affects the most vulnerable and socially excluded members of society and ensures that such legal triumphs as Humberside's victory in winning redundancy payments for fishermen are unlikely now to be repeated; and calls on the Government to adopt a five-year plan to tackle disadvantage and which will secure funds to develop a national network of law centres and advice providers.

That this House remembers the principles established in the Access to Justice Act 1999 that it is not enough for people to have rights but that they must be able to enforce these rights; notes with concern that the number of people assisted by Community Legal Service funds has dropped...

That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, praying that the Local Government Pension Scheme (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 3372), dated 17th December 2004, a copy of which was laid before this House on 22nd December, be annulled.

That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, praying that the Local Government Pension Scheme (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 3372), dated 17th December 2004, a copy of which was laid before this House on 22nd December, be annulled.

That this House congratulates Development in Action on celebrating its 10th year of outstanding work in raising awareness of global issues among young people in the UK; notes that since it was founded, Development in Action has arranged placements with Indian non-governmental organisations for more than 160 young volunteers who have campaigned actively to promote development awareness and international understanding upon their return to the UK; further notes that this has been achieved entirely through the work of young volunteers motivated by a desire to have a positive impact upon the world in which they live; recognises the vital importance of promoting understanding of the developing world in the UK; and calls on politicians of all parties to promote Development in Action's example.

That this House congratulates Development in Action on celebrating its 10th year of outstanding work in raising awareness of global issues among young people in the UK; notes that since it was founded, Development in Action has arranged placements with Indian non-governmental organisations for more than 160 young volunteers who...