That this House notes with concern the exclusion of Arbroath from the revised assisted area boundary proposals; recognises that while significant gains have been made in recent years to restructure the local economy, the case for re-inclusion is strong, given the consistently high levels of unemployment, the significant dependence on a declining manufacturing sector, and the opportunities which exist to benefit from regional selective assistance; understands that without assisted area status recent gains in Arbroath will be reversed; and calls on the Department of Trade and Industry to reinstate the excluded areas.

That this House notes with concern the exclusion of Arbroath from the revised assisted area boundary proposals; recognises that while significant gains have been made in recent years to restructure the local economy, the case for re-inclusion is strong, given the consistently high levels of unemployment, the significant dependence on...

That this House notes with interest the results of a survey published in The Observer on 21st June 1998 which puts the three SNP-run local authorities amongst the top five in Scotland; notes that the survey is based on indicators approved by the Scottish Office and the Independent Accounts Commission; notes that the survey analyses 22 separate measures of council effectiveness for 1996-97; further notes that the worst 11 service providers are labour-run authorities; deplores the behaviour of those Labour councillors in North Lanarkshire and East Ayrshire who have brought direct labour organisations into disrepute; and congratulates councillors in Angus, Perth and Kinross, Orkney, Shetland and Moray who have demonstrated their commitment to effective local government.

That this House notes with interest the results of a survey published in The Observer on 21st June 1998 which puts the three SNP-run local authorities amongst the top five in Scotland; notes that the survey is based on indicators approved by the Scottish Office and the Independent Accounts Commission;...

That this House welcomes the passing of a motion by the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities which called on the Government to abandon plans to reduce single parent benefits; expresses concern at the potentially damaging effects of the Benefits Integrity Project that will inevitably lead to greater social exclusion; and deprecates any attempt to control the PSBR by marginalising the most vulnerable members of society.

That this House welcomes the passing of a motion by the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities which called on the Government to abandon plans to reduce single parent benefits; expresses concern at the potentially damaging effects of the Benefits Integrity Project that will inevitably lead to greater social exclusion; and...

That this House calls on Her Majesty's Government to halt the slide towards self-financing by students and to restore the basic right to Government-funded further and higher education for all.

That this House calls on Her Majesty's Government to halt the slide towards self-financing by students and to restore the basic right to Government-funded further and higher education for all.

That this House notes with concern reports that students may be required to contribute ??1,000 per year to the cost of their university tuition; notes that such charges would discriminate in particular against students in Scottish universities where four year courses are the norm; is concerned that tuition fees will only serve to discourage students from poorer backgrounds, adult returnees and students with families from entering higher education; condemns any threat to the principle of free access to higher education which has underpinned the success of the Scottish education system; and calls on the Government to ensure that higher education continues as a right for all rather than a privilege for the few.

That this House notes with concern reports that students may be required to contribute ??1,000 per year to the cost of their university tuition; notes that such charges would discriminate in particular against students in Scottish universities where four year courses are the norm; is concerned that tuition fees will...

That this House deeply regrets the loss of life of Skipper George Pattison and Mark Hannah, Chris Prouse and Alan Cunningham, the crew of the Arbroath fishing boat, the Westhaven AH190; expresses its sincere condolences to their relatives; joins with the community of Arbroath in wishing the families involved strength and courage during this trying time; and calls on Her Majesty's Government to expedite the fullest enquiry into discovering the causes of this tragedy and implementing action to prevent similar loss of life in the future.

That this House deeply regrets the loss of life of Skipper George Pattison and Mark Hannah, Chris Prouse and Alan Cunningham, the crew of the Arbroath fishing boat, the Westhaven AH190; expresses its sincere condolences to their relatives; joins with the community of Arbroath in wishing the families involved strength...

That this House notes the failure of the Secretary of State for Scotland to acknowledge that Scotland is currently facing a housing crisis, with 500 to 1,000 people sleeping rough every night and an estimated 150,000 children living in damp housing; notes that Conservative policies have been responsible for the deplorable lack of investment in housingwhich has engendered this crisis; expresses concern that the Secretary of State for Scotland's announcement on public expenditure effectively means a 30 per cent cut in expenditure on council housing in the coming year; understands that for every ??1 promised for a Rough Sleeper's Initiative, ??35 has been deducted from the housing budget; and calls on the Government to recognise that the right to a warm, secure and affordable home is a fundamental human right which should not be denied.

That this House notes the failure of the Secretary of State for Scotland to acknowledge that Scotland is currently facing a housing crisis, with 500 to 1,000 people sleeping rough every night and an estimated 150,000 children living in damp housing; notes that Conservative policies have been responsible for the...

That this House supports Shelter Scotland's Housing for Good campaign and the Scottish Federation of Housing Association's campaign Build a New House; expresses alarm at rising levels of youth homelessness; regrets that Government policies and mismanagement have drastically reduced the public housing stock; further regrets that local authorities have been left without the means to tackle the problems of dampness and disrepair which affect over one million people in Scotland; calls on the Government to halt the decline in housing expenditure and embark on a programme of housing investment; and recognises that investment in housing can alleviate fuel poverty, poor health and unemployment and is therefore both a just and practical policy.

That this House supports Shelter Scotland's Housing for Good campaign and the Scottish Federation of Housing Association's campaign Build a New House; expresses alarm at rising levels of youth homelessness; regrets that Government policies and mismanagement have drastically reduced the public housing stock; further regrets that local authorities have been...

That this House acknowledges the growing problem of vehicle theft and fraud in the motor industry; regrets the distress and disruption which this creates for consumers; recognises that establishing an ownership register would be beneficial both in terms of extending consumer protection and reducing the losses incurred by dealers, finance companies and others involved in the motor trade; recalls EDM 1655 of 1992-93 and the Prevention of Faud (Registration) Bill of 1994-95; and calls on the Government to introduce early legislation to create such a register.

That this House acknowledges the growing problem of vehicle theft and fraud in the motor industry; regrets the distress and disruption which this creates for consumers; recognises that establishing an ownership register would be beneficial both in terms of extending consumer protection and reducing the losses incurred by dealers, finance...

That this House congratulates Shelter Scotland on the launch of its campaign, Housing for Good; recognises that good housing is central to the life, health and well-being of all Scottish citizens, communities and the wider Scottish economy; and calls on the Government to recognise Scotland's housing needs and provide adequate resources to meet those needs.

That this House congratulates Shelter Scotland on the launch of its campaign, Housing for Good; recognises that good housing is central to the life, health and well-being of all Scottish citizens, communities and the wider Scottish economy; and calls on the Government to recognise Scotland's housing needs and provide adequate...

That this House deplores the practice of the Labour-controlled Local Authority in East Ayrshire over the closure of St. Paul's school in Hurlford and other schools, when the period set aside for consultation with school boards and other interested parties was restricted to just six weeks; notes that the Labour Council has demonstrated a lack of respect for democracy and for the local community by this lack of consultation; and calls upon the Scottish Office to demand that the 10 month consultation period stipulated in their guidelines is adhered to.

That this House deplores the practice of the Labour-controlled Local Authority in East Ayrshire over the closure of St. Paul's school in Hurlford and other schools, when the period set aside for consultation with school boards and other interested parties was restricted to just six weeks; notes that the Labour...

That this House notes with dismay the failure of Historic Scotland to raise the Saltire over Arbroath Abbey to mark the anniversary of the 1320 Declaration of Arbroath on 6th April; holds the Declaration of Arbroath to be a democratic document well in advance of its day; and regrets that some 676 years on, democracy and self-determination are still denied to the people of Scotland.

That this House notes with dismay the failure of Historic Scotland to raise the Saltire over Arbroath Abbey to mark the anniversary of the 1320 Declaration of Arbroath on 6th April; holds the Declaration of Arbroath to be a democratic document well in advance of its day; and regrets that...

That this House recognises the Homeless Persons Charter for Scotland produced by Speakout as a unique expression of the views of homeless persons themselves; welcomes this positive step toward addressing the tragic plight of thousands of homeless persons, many of whom are forced to live on the streets of Scottish towns and cities; further recognises the increased vulnerability of homeless persons to violent attack, suicide, hypothermia and illness; is alarmed at reports that the average life expectancy of people living on the streets is 47 years; is mindful that the denial of a home denies homeless persons the route to full participation in society, including the right to vote, the ability to gain employment and to receive proper healthcare; agrees with Speakout that the availability of housing, the regulations of safety and sani tation in hostels, access to health services, the creation of support networks for homeless peersons, the destruction of barriers to employment and the eradication of discrimination toward homeless persons all have a crucial part to play in addressing the problems faced by homeless persons; and calls on the Government to meet representatives of Speakout to discuss what further steps can be taken to end the avoidable misery of homelessness.

That this House recognises the Homeless Persons Charter for Scotland produced by Speakout as a unique expression of the views of homeless persons themselves; welcomes this positive step toward addressing the tragic plight of thousands of homeless persons, many of whom are forced to live on the streets of Scottish...

That this House notes with astonishment the comments of the honourable Member for Croydon South who has yet to grasp the elementary geographical, historical and political fact that Scotland is not a county of England.

That this House notes with astonishment the comments of the honourable Member for Croydon South who has yet to grasp the elementary geographical, historical and political fact that Scotland is not a county of England.

That this House regrets the Right honourable Member for Sedgefield's effusive praise for Baroness Thatcher, expressed in an interview in the Sunday Times newspaper, and notes that the people of Scotland never shared his admiration, with Tory support declining steadily in Scotland during Lady Thatcher's 11 years in power, notes that the very qualities which the Right honourable Member admires about Lady Thatcher, her determination and single mindedness, were directed against the interests of Scotland and oversaw the run-down of manufacturing industry, spiralling homelessness, the undermining of health and education services, and dogmatic opposition to constitutional change; and believes that there is nothing admirable in that.

That this House regrets the Right honourable Member for Sedgefield's effusive praise for Baroness Thatcher, expressed in an interview in the Sunday Times newspaper, and notes that the people of Scotland never shared his admiration, with Tory support declining steadily in Scotland during Lady Thatcher's 11 years in power, notes...

That this House notes that Dumbarton District Council has an environmental charter that pledges to protect and enhance publicly owned space; believes that this is a fair description of Dumbarton Common; further believes that land leased for the construction of the indoor bowling club is in keeping with enhancing publicly owned land; further notes that all open areas in Dumbarton were offered to the Scottish Courts Administration and that no proposal was ever made by the SNP to sell land on Dumbarton Common; condemns the Labour/Tory voting alliance on Dumbarton District Council for ignoring a 1000 strong petition by tenants in Tullichewan against a housing development, binning a 1000 strong petition by residents against a Safeway development and crushing efforts by tenants in Renton to maintain a local tenant-run repairs organisation; is of the opinion that this exemplifies the contempt Labour and the Tories have for popular democracy in Dumbarton, along with their disregard for public opinion over the issue of holding a referendum on the use of Dumbarton Common; and expresses amazement at members of the Labour Party for jumping to the defence of a deadwood administration.

That this House notes that Dumbarton District Council has an environmental charter that pledges to protect and enhance publicly owned space; believes that this is a fair description of Dumbarton Common; further believes that land leased for the construction of the indoor bowling club is in keeping with enhancing publicly...

That this House notes with concern the voting alliance between the Labour and Conservative groups on Dumbarton District Council when they have voted together on 60 occasions over the past 12 months; further notes that both parties have colluded in denying the public of Dumbarton a proper consultation process over the sale of common land which is proposed as the site for a new sheriff court in Dumbarton; and calls on both parties to take account of the views of the people of Dumbarton and initiate a town referendum on the issue.

That this House notes with concern the voting alliance between the Labour and Conservative groups on Dumbarton District Council when they have voted together on 60 occasions over the past 12 months; further notes that both parties have colluded in denying the public of Dumbarton a proper consultation process over...

That this House notes that the week beginning 20th February is Shelter week; applauds this initiative by the Scottish campaign for homeless people to raise awareness of the growing problem of homelessness; congratulates Shelter on its pioneering work over many years to highlight the plight of homeless people; agrees with Shelter that every person has a basic human right to live in a home which is warm, dry and secure; and calls on central Government and local authorities to match that commitment by launching an all out attack on the scourge of homelessness.

That this House notes that the week beginning 20th February is Shelter week; applauds this initiative by the Scottish campaign for homeless people to raise awareness of the growing problem of homelessness; congratulates Shelter on its pioneering work over many years to highlight the plight of homeless people; agrees with...

That this House congratulates Angus District Council on ensuring that there will be no council house rent increases for the coming year of 1995-96; notes that the council will keep rents at ??19.81 a week or an annual rent of ??1,030.20; further notes that this compares to a Scottish annual average of ??1,444.04 or ??27.77 weekly; commends housing convener Ian Hudghton for proposing the rent freeze; and draws attention to the fact that when Angus District was run by the Conservatives rents were among the highest in the country.

That this House congratulates Angus District Council on ensuring that there will be no council house rent increases for the coming year of 1995-96; notes that the council will keep rents at ??19.81 a week or an annual rent of ??1,030.20; further notes that this compares to a Scottish annual...

That this House condemns Central Region Labour Group for opposing moves to adopt SNP controlled Tayside Region's initiative on fighting fuel poverty; notes that Central Region Labour Group opposed this move by voting against an amendment that called on the council to seek to adopt this initiative, thus defeating the amendment; further notes that such an initiative would involve free meals on wheels for the winter months, additional funding for voluntary groups involved with vulnerable groups and help for those facing diconnections; notes also that in 1993 deaths from hypothermia rose by 20 per cent. in Scotland and there are 3,000 excess winter deaths every year; and calls on the honourable Members for Sedgefield and Hamilton to state their views on this disgraceful move by Central Region Labour Group.

That this House condemns Central Region Labour Group for opposing moves to adopt SNP controlled Tayside Region's initiative on fighting fuel poverty; notes that Central Region Labour Group opposed this move by voting against an amendment that called on the council to seek to adopt this initiative, thus defeating the...