That this House condemns the major escalation in demolitions by the Israeli government in the Occupied Palestinian Territories; notes that 293 structural demolitions have taken place in the first six weeks of 2016, including numerous homes; expresses concern for the devastating effects such demolitions have on innocent civilians; further notes that in 2015, 447 Palestinian structures were demolished; notes that, according to the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs, between 2010 and 2014 only 1.5 per cent of the over 2,000 Palestinian building permit requests were approved in Area C of the West Bank, leading to 10,000 present standing demolition orders; notes Israel's continued uses of demolition as a means of collectively punishing Palestinians; welcomes the EU's continued opposition to Israel's illegal settlements, home demolitions, confiscation and evictions; notes that the home demolitions have included EU-funded structures; calls on the Government to condemn these latest demolitions and the continued expansion of settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories; and demands reparations for the destruction.

That this House condemns the major escalation in demolitions by the Israeli government in the Occupied Palestinian Territories; notes that 293 structural demolitions have taken place in the first six weeks of 2016, including numerous homes; expresses concern for the devastating effects such demolitions have on innocent civilians; further notes...

That this House recognises the defiance and determination of the residents of Grange Drive, Melton Mowbray in resisting the decision of Vodafone to site a telephone mast on the corner of their street; notes that 12 February 2010 marks the first anniversary of their permanent vigil at the roadside which has included taking residence there in a caravan; further notes that the transmission equipment on the masthead would be a mere 20 feet from the bedroom window on the shopping precinct nearby; regrets that Vodafone has resisted all requests to have the proposed mast located somewhere else; urges Vodafone to accept the strength of local feeling and resolve is such that the residents in and around Grange Drive are never going to give up; and politely asks Vodafone to raise its hands in surrender, concede defeat and put its mast somewhere else.

That this House recognises the defiance and determination of the residents of Grange Drive, Melton Mowbray in resisting the decision of Vodafone to site a telephone mast on the corner of their street; notes that 12 February 2010 marks the first anniversary of their permanent vigil at the roadside which...

That this House regrets the Ministry of Defence's decision to close RAF Cottesmore, home to the Harrier Force as part of changes to the defence programme announced in December 2009; notes the decision pre-empts the Government's prior pledge to consider the capabilities and configuration of the armed forces as part of a Strategic Defence Review; expresses concern at the considerable impact the closure of RAF Cottesmore will have on the community in Rutland; and calls on the Government to postpone the closure of RAF Cottesmore until the conclusion of the Strategic Defence Review.

That this House regrets the Ministry of Defence's decision to close RAF Cottesmore, home to the Harrier Force as part of changes to the defence programme announced in December 2009; notes the decision pre-empts the Government's prior pledge to consider the capabilities and configuration of the armed forces as part...

That this House is concerned that the proposed reduction to trains stopping at Bottesford in the evening would have a considerable impact on East Midlands commuters; believes that there is no justification for reducing the service in the evenings and that people leaving work after 5.30 p.m. would be left with an unreasonable wait until 8.55 p.m. for a train; further believes that a reduced train service will force people back into cars which will have a negative impact on the environment; is further concerned about the impact on a small rural community of a reduced train service; concludes that the reduction of this train service would inconvenience commuters, and would be detrimental both to the train company's business and the environment; and respectfully calls on East Midland trains to reverse its decision so that Bottesford can remain able to deliver commuter links to Nottingham.

That this House is concerned that the proposed reduction to trains stopping at Bottesford in the evening would have a considerable impact on East Midlands commuters; believes that there is no justification for reducing the service in the evenings and that people leaving work after 5.30 p.m. would be left...

That this House regrets the fire which destroyed the headquarters of Melton Borough Council on 30th May; congratulates the Fire Service and other members of the emergency services for their prompt and professional response; expresses its admiration for the leadership of Councillor Malise Graham and councillors of all parties for their response; notes with respect and appreciation the professionalism of the council staff whose contingency plans secured the seamless continuity of council services; expresses gratitude to the local community for its support and assistance; expresses relief that the only casualty was the incineration of a much loved Victorian stuffed lion; and concludes that the overall response to a disaster of such magnitude should be seen as a matter of both credit and pride for Melton Mowbray.

That this House regrets the fire which destroyed the headquarters of Melton Borough Council on 30th May; congratulates the Fire Service and other members of the emergency services for their prompt and professional response; expresses its admiration for the leadership of Councillor Malise Graham and councillors of all parties for...

That this House notes that the current delay of up to four months for VAT registration is causing considerable problems to a number of businesses due to suppliers being unable to provide credit, imported goods being unable to be cleared and business customers refusing to pay invoices without VAT registration; further notes that the Government has said how important growing businesses are to the UK economy; is concerned to note that it is small firms who will continue to suffer without prompt and swift action; and calls upon the Government to resolve the computer and management failings at HM Revenue and Customs as quickly as possible.

That this House notes that the current delay of up to four months for VAT registration is causing considerable problems to a number of businesses due to suppliers being unable to provide credit, imported goods being unable to be cleared and business customers refusing to pay invoices without VAT registration;...

That this House believes the 80 per cent. increase in capital gains tax (CGT) for business demonstrates the Government's lack of understanding of the business community and puts the United Kingdom at a competitive disadvantage against other comparable industrialised countries; notes that 76 per cent. of business leaders lack confidence in the Chancellor; recognises that small businesses are increasingly seeing the tax burden rest disproportionately upon them; expresses concern that the UK now has the longest tax code in the world; and calls on the Chancellor to reverse the rise in the small business corporation tax set out in the Budget, meeting the cost by scrapping the complex system of allowances also proposed, and reverse the proposed rise in CGT.

That this House believes the 80 per cent. increase in capital gains tax (CGT) for business demonstrates the Government's lack of understanding of the business community and puts the United Kingdom at a competitive disadvantage against other comparable industrialised countries; notes that 76 per cent. of business leaders lack confidence...

That this House notes that Small Business Week 2007 begins on 29th October 2007; congratulates BT, the BCC, Business Link, Royal Bank of Scotland and Everywoman on organising the week-long campaign to champion the 4.5 million or more small enterprises in the UK; recognises the importance of small businesses to the UK economy; and welcomes the focus the week gives to the challenges that small and medium-sized enterprises face and the support they need to thrive in a competitive global economy.

That this House notes that Small Business Week 2007 begins on 29th October 2007; congratulates BT, the BCC, Business Link, Royal Bank of Scotland and Everywoman on organising the week-long campaign to champion the 4.5 million or more small enterprises in the UK; recognises the importance of small businesses to...

That this House expresses its sympathy to the family of Chris Di Paolo, the former Governor of Ashwell Prison in Rutland, who tragically died on 25th April as the result of injuries sustained in a car crash, and hopes for the speedy recovery of Steve Turner, the Governor of Stocken Prison in Rutland, who suffered serious injuries in the same accident; notes that Mr Di Paolo and Mr Turner have shown true dedication as prison governors; and commends the work that Mr Di Paolo carried out to improve both security and living conditions at Ashwell Prison and in ensuring that the rehabilitation of prisoners was one of the institution's main priorities.

That this House expresses its sympathy to the family of Chris Di Paolo, the former Governor of Ashwell Prison in Rutland, who tragically died on 25th April as the result of injuries sustained in a car crash, and hopes for the speedy recovery of Steve Turner, the Governor of Stocken...

That this House is concerned by the fact that a quarter of the Post Office network has closed since 1997, with at least 2,500 further closures planned by the Government over the next two years; is further concerned that it has been suggested that the Post Office network could be reduced to just 4,000 branches; recognises the important social role played by post offices; believes that the Government's proposed access criteria are essentially meaningless as two thirds of all post offices could be closed without breaching them; believes that access criteria should be improved and strengthened to take into account factors such as public transport facilities; and calls on the Government to give greater certainty to the sub-postmasters by setting out where it intends to make cuts and setting a limit on the number of closures over the next two years, to allow sub-postmasters to provide a greater range of products and services and to encourage local councils to see what services they could provide through post offices creating council counters in their area better to engage with local residents.

That this House is concerned by the fact that a quarter of the Post Office network has closed since 1997, with at least 2,500 further closures planned by the Government over the next two years; is further concerned that it has been suggested that the Post Office network could be...

That this House regrets that the Doha trade round collapsed in July; believes that trade needs to be fair and balanced to ensure that it benefits both developing countries and developed countries; further believes that unfair tariffs by the European Union and North America and failure to reach a multilateral agreement on trade will lead to poverty; notes that the US Administration has only been granted fast track negotiating authority for the trade talks by Congress until July 2007; and urgently calls on the Government to press the European Union to be more pro-active in reigniting the Doha trade talks.

That this House regrets that the Doha trade round collapsed in July; believes that trade needs to be fair and balanced to ensure that it benefits both developing countries and developed countries; further believes that unfair tariffs by the European Union and North America and failure to reach a multilateral...

That this House is dismayed at the continued uncontrolled proliferation of arms around the globe which results in one death every minute, undermines development, fuels conflict and enables criminal activity to flourish; notes that the British defence export industry operates to some of the highest standards in the world; considers that any measure that would make other countries live up to the same high standards would be of direct advantage to the British defence export industry and would benefit international security in general; welcomes the UN General Assembly's decision to begin work on drawing up an International Arms Trade Treaty during 2007; and calls on the Government to continue to support the principle of an International Arms Treaty and to urge the UK's international partners to offer their support.

That this House is dismayed at the continued uncontrolled proliferation of arms around the globe which results in one death every minute, undermines development, fuels conflict and enables criminal activity to flourish; notes that the British defence export industry operates to some of the highest standards in the world; considers...

That this House notes that the average EU citizen annually generates 14kg of electrical equipment waste and the UK annually throws away five million televisions, two million home computers and 8,000 tonnes of battery-operated toys; further notes that the recycling rates for electronic equipment are low; is aware that there have been six consultations, a review and three years of delays in implementing the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive; believes that the way the Government has attempted to implement the WEEE Directive and the endless delays, reviews and consultations have all created uncertainty for retailers; and calls on the Government to take this issue seriously and implement the WEEE Directive as a matter of urgency.

That this House notes that the average EU citizen annually generates 14kg of electrical equipment waste and the UK annually throws away five million televisions, two million home computers and 8,000 tonnes of battery-operated toys; further notes that the recycling rates for electronic equipment are low; is aware that there...

That this House notes that since 1997 the UK has fallen from fourth to 10th place in the World Economic Forum's Global Competitiveness Index and that the International Institute for Management Development World Competitiveness Yearbook shows that the UK has slipped from ninth place in 1997 to 21st in 2006; further notes that the UK has a record trade deficit of ??45 billion; and calls on the Government to reverse its trend of bringing forward policies that harm UK competitiveness.

That this House notes that since 1997 the UK has fallen from fourth to 10th place in the World Economic Forum's Global Competitiveness Index and that the International Institute for Management Development World Competitiveness Yearbook shows that the UK has slipped from ninth place in 1997 to 21st in 2006;...

That this House is concerned by the fact that a quarter of the Post Office network has closed since 1997; is further concerned by the Department for Work and Pensions' plan to end the Post Office Card Account scheme in 2010; is further concerned that Royal Mail bosses have even suggested that the Post Office network could be reduced to just 4,000 branches; recognises the important social role played by post offices; believes that steps need to be taken to end uncertainty over the future of the network; and calls on the Government to allow subpostmasters to provide a greater range of products and services, to review its decision to abolish the Post Office Card Account and to encourage local councils to see what services they could provide through post offices creating council counters in their area better to engage with local residents.

That this House is concerned by the fact that a quarter of the Post Office network has closed since 1997; is further concerned by the Department for Work and Pensions' plan to end the Post Office Card Account scheme in 2010; is further concerned that Royal Mail bosses have even...

That this House welcomes provisions in the Equality Act 2006 which allow regulations on the discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation to be brought forward; congratulates hon. Members in both houses who lobbied the Government for these regulations to be included in the Equality Act 2006; acknowledges that these regulations are controversial; and therefore calls on the Government to publish regulations in draft in order to facilitate discussion and debate ahead of these regulations being laid before Parliament.

That this House welcomes provisions in the Equality Act 2006 which allow regulations on the discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation to be brought forward; congratulates hon. Members in both houses who lobbied the Government for these regulations to be included in the Equality Act 2006; acknowledges that these...

That this House notes that the European Union claims that China and Vietnam receive government subsidies to sell shoes abroad and has imposed tariffs for shoes from these two countries for two years; further notes that this decision will lead to UK consumers paying a higher price for shoes, which acts as a regressive tax affecting those on low incomes the most; believes that the UK should be a beacon for free and fair trade; and calls on the Government to urge the European Commission to review these tariffs.

That this House notes that the European Union claims that China and Vietnam receive government subsidies to sell shoes abroad and has imposed tariffs for shoes from these two countries for two years; further notes that this decision will lead to UK consumers paying a higher price for shoes, which...

That this House deplores the decision of the editors of the edition of BBC Question Time broadcast from Glasgow on 12th October to proscribe questions and consequent debate on political issues of specifically Scottish concern; believes that such censorship compromises the programme's ability to promote meaningful and open debate on matters of vital interest to its Scottish audience; and, applying the logic of the producers, concludes that, in the interests of consistency and equity, the programme should now be constrained from tabling questions on all health, education or criminal justice topics unless they affect all sections of the programme's audience equally.

That this House deplores the decision of the editors of the edition of BBC Question Time broadcast from Glasgow on 12th October to proscribe questions and consequent debate on political issues of specifically Scottish concern; believes that such censorship compromises the programme's ability to promote meaningful and open debate on...

That this House recognises the unique service offered by the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) and its extremely important contribution to good industrial relations, which is recognised and supported by both employers and employees; notes that its employment tribunal conciliation service alone saves the taxpayer ??51 million; and therefore calls on the Government to ensure that ACAS is able to continue to provide this important service.

That this House recognises the unique service offered by the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) and its extremely important contribution to good industrial relations, which is recognised and supported by both employers and employees; notes that its employment tribunal conciliation service alone saves the taxpayer ??51 million; and therefore...

That this House is dismayed at the continued uncontrolled proliferation of arms around the globe which results in one death every minute, undermines development, fuels conflict and enables criminal activity to flourish; notes that the UK is the second biggest arms exporter in the world and has a particular responsibility better to control this trade; acknowledges that the development of an international Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) would ensure all states were bound by better rules governing arms transfers; congratulates the UK Government for its leadership in the promotion of such a treaty, which now has the support of over 40 countries across the world; further notes the Government's intention to begin negotiations for an ATT within the UN General Assembly during 2006; and calls on all hon. Members to use every chance to promote the ATT over the coming months, particularly with their international counterparts, in order to ensure that next year's historic opportunity is not missed and that negotiations begin.

That this House is dismayed at the continued uncontrolled proliferation of arms around the globe which results in one death every minute, undermines development, fuels conflict and enables criminal activity to flourish; notes that the UK is the second biggest arms exporter in the world and has a particular responsibility...