That this House is concerned that small UK science and technology businesses are at present significantly disadvantaged compared with their US competitors because of the absence of an effective UK programme to the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) programme in the US and that the commercial exploitation of the UK science base for the benefit of the UK economy is being jeopardised as a result; further notes that the introduction of such a scheme would be to the benefit both of the UK Government departments commissioning research and development projects and of the companies undertaking them; and urges the Government to introduce legislation similar in effect to the SBIR Program in the US, under which US Federal Government agencies are required by law to spend a minimum proportion of their research and development budgets with small businesses.

That this House is concerned that small UK science and technology businesses are at present significantly disadvantaged compared with their US competitors because of the absence of an effective UK programme to the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) programme in the US and that the commercial exploitation of the UK...

That this House notes existing charges for international student visas and the Home Office consultation on the review of charges for immigration applications; further notes that international students contribute five billion pounds a year to the UK economy; believes that international students make an invaluable contribution to student life, education and research at UK universities; further believes that increasing visa charges will place a greater financial burden on international students and hinder the Prime Minister's initiative to attract more international students to the UK; and calls on the Government to grant an exemption from visa charges to international students studying in the UK.

That this House notes existing charges for international student visas and the Home Office consultation on the review of charges for immigration applications; further notes that international students contribute five billion pounds a year to the UK economy; believes that international students make an invaluable contribution to student life, education...

That this House notes with concern the way the presidential election has been conducted in Ukraine; is concerned about reports of voting irregularities and election day fraud and manipulation; regrets that pro-Yushchenko groups have suffered accusations of plotting terrorist attacks, that Mr Yushchenko was possibly subjected to an attempt on his life and that pro-Government TV channels gave uncritical coverage to Mr Yanukovych and displayed unacceptable media bias in advance of the poll; further regrets that the elections do not appear to have conformed with European democratic norms and have failed to meet a number of OSCE conditions; recognises the courage of the Ukrainian people who have peacefully demonstrated for a transparent electoral process; and calls on the UK Government to make clear its support for democratic rights and the importance of free and fair elections.

That this House notes with concern the way the presidential election has been conducted in Ukraine; is concerned about reports of voting irregularities and election day fraud and manipulation; regrets that pro-Yushchenko groups have suffered accusations of plotting terrorist attacks, that Mr Yushchenko was possibly subjected to an attempt on...

That this House recognises that the greatest threat to child health is obesity; agrees that encouraging sport and an active lifestyle in children is essential to preventing obesity in childhood and later life; while welcoming moves to encourage the use of cycle helmets, is persuaded that making it a criminal offence for children to cycle without wearing a helmet will discourage children from cycling and have a detrimental effect on child obesity; agrees that this health risk is far greater than the risks of head injury posed by cycling; and calls on the Government, not to criminalise young cyclists, but to encourage cycling and make it safer by improving cycle lanes and facilities around the country and promoting the potential benefits of wearing a helmet.

That this House recognises that the greatest threat to child health is obesity; agrees that encouraging sport and an active lifestyle in children is essential to preventing obesity in childhood and later life; while welcoming moves to encourage the use of cycle helmets, is persuaded that making it a criminal...

That this House notes that breast cancer is now the most common cancer in the UK with over 40,000 women and around 300 men diagnosed with the disease every year; welcomes the Breakthrough Breast Cancer Left in the Dark report and campaign focusing on the referral system for women and men with breast cancer; is delighted that 98 per cent. of those referred urgently now see a specialist within two weeks; is concerned that every year 10,000 women are subsequently diagnosed with breast cancer after being routinely referred and wait up to 17 weeks for an appointment with a specialist; acknowledges Breakthrough's research which reveals that women want to be seen by a breast specialist as soon as possible and certainly no longer than two weeks after referral; and urges Ministers to consider a flexible approach to targets which reward progress towards shorter waiting times for everyone referred with breast problems.

That this House notes that breast cancer is now the most common cancer in the UK with over 40,000 women and around 300 men diagnosed with the disease every year; welcomes the Breakthrough Breast Cancer Left in the Dark report and campaign focusing on the referral system for women and...

That this House notes that a consortium of oil companies, led by BP, is planning to build an oil pipeline from Baku in Azerbaijan, through Georgia and North-East Turkey, down to Ceyhan on the Mediterranean coast, and that the Export Credit Guarantee Department, World Bank and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development are considering supporting the project; further notes the report from the fact-finding mission of NGOs that travelled to the area; and calls on the Government to ensure no public funds will be committed to the project without a full assessment of the long-term environmental and human cost of the project.

That this House notes that a consortium of oil companies, led by BP, is planning to build an oil pipeline from Baku in Azerbaijan, through Georgia and North-East Turkey, down to Ceyhan on the Mediterranean coast, and that the Export Credit Guarantee Department, World Bank and European Bank for Reconstruction...

That this House welcomes the extra Government money announced in the White Paper 'The Future of Higher Education'; further welcomes the end of up front tuition fees; supports the reintroduction of grants for students from poorer backgrounds; recognises the improvements outlined for the repayment of debt, but believes that differential fees will deter students from low-income backgrounds from applying to the top academic institutions and to certain courses; and, if extra money is required, urges the Government to implement a measured increase in fees across the board, whilst maintaining the full or partial exemption from fees for students from low income backgrounds.

That this House welcomes the extra Government money announced in the White Paper 'The Future of Higher Education'; further welcomes the end of up front tuition fees; supports the reintroduction of grants for students from poorer backgrounds; recognises the improvements outlined for the repayment of debt, but believes that differential...

That this House congratulates the University of Cambridge on the occasion of the tercentenary of the foundation of the first ever Professorship in Chemistry in 1702; notes that this has been the longest continuously occupied Chair of Chemistry in the country from Professor John Francis Vigani of Verona in 1702 to Professor Steve Ley in 2002, notes the special event entitled Chem>300 which was held on 6th to 7th December at the Department of Chemistry of the University of Cambridge to mark this unique anniversary; further notes the excellent contributions made on that occasion which was supported by the Royal Society of Chemistry; and notes the unrivalled contribution that the study of chemistry and the chemical sciences has made and continues to make to our understanding of nature, to the quality of life, and to the knowledge economy of the 21st century.

That this House congratulates the University of Cambridge on the occasion of the tercentenary of the foundation of the first ever Professorship in Chemistry in 1702; notes that this has been the longest continuously occupied Chair of Chemistry in the country from Professor John Francis Vigani of Verona in 1702...

That this House welcomes the rapid response of some water companies to the Water Summit hosted by the Deputy Prime Minister on 19th May; notes that both Anglian Water and Cambridge Water companies intend to offer free repairs to all householders whose supply pipes are leaking; notes that Anglia Water have introduced a Water Wise scheme to enable their customers to save water in cisterns and garden use; and further notes that Cambridge Water Company also offers free water use audits, free tap washering service and fits free Hippo bags where practical; and urges other water companies to follow suit.

That this House welcomes the rapid response of some water companies to the Water Summit hosted by the Deputy Prime Minister on 19th May; notes that both Anglian Water and Cambridge Water companies intend to offer free repairs to all householders whose supply pipes are leaking; notes that Anglia Water...

That this House congratulates the 40 non-governmental organisations of the Real World Coalition in relating justice and environmental sustainability and so improve the quality of life in Britain and the wider world; notes that members of the Real World Coalition include Christian Aid, Friends of the Earth, New Economics Foundation, Oxfam, Population Concern, Save the Children Fund, Town and Country Planning Association, United Nations Association and the WWF-UK; encourages all honourable Members to read the book Politics and the Real World; and requests formulation of long-term strategies to implement this initiative.

That this House congratulates the 40 non-governmental organisations of the Real World Coalition in relating justice and environmental sustainability and so improve the quality of life in Britain and the wider world; notes that members of the Real World Coalition include Christian Aid, Friends of the Earth, New Economics Foundation,...

That this House deplores the promotion of pornographic publications such as the Sunday Sport by the honourable Member for Blackpool North as described in its edition of 22nd December; advises that he dissociates himself from the way in which that publication typecasts women solely as objects of male lust, thereby denigrating the legitimate ways in which women contribute to society; and asks him to apologise for the serious offence that his promotion will cause to women in Blackpool North and elsewhere in the United Kingdom.

That this House deplores the promotion of pornographic publications such as the Sunday Sport by the honourable Member for Blackpool North as described in its edition of 22nd December; advises that he dissociates himself from the way in which that publication typecasts women solely as objects of male lust, thereby...

That this House condemns the occupation of Tibet by the Chinese authorities; further condemns the Chinese authorities' use of beatings, torture, arbitrary detention without fair trials and population transfer; and calls on the Government of the People's Republic of China to enter into negotiations with the Tibetan Government-in-exile, without pre-conditions and with a view to considering the future status of Tibet, including the areas illegally annexed to China outside the 'Tibet Autonomous Region'.

That this House condemns the occupation of Tibet by the Chinese authorities; further condemns the Chinese authorities' use of beatings, torture, arbitrary detention without fair trials and population transfer; and calls on the Government of the People's Republic of China to enter into negotiations with the Tibetan Government-in-exile, without pre-conditions...

That this House condemns the Government for so lamentably failing in its target for 80 per cent. of public places to have an effective smoking policy by 1994; and calls upon the Government to honour its commitment, setting out in the Health of the Nation White Paper, to implement enabling legislation, since voluntary means have failed, to provide smoke-free environments in public places as the norm so as to ensure that everyone is entitled to breathe clean air.

That this House condemns the Government for so lamentably failing in its target for 80 per cent. of public places to have an effective smoking policy by 1994; and calls upon the Government to honour its commitment, setting out in the Health of the Nation White Paper, to implement enabling...

That this House wishes to express its grave concern about, and abhors, the continuing human rights abuses in China, including the harassment and detention of pro-democracy activists, members of religious communities and members of independent trade unions; further condemns the torture of those in prison; and calls on the Chinese government to abolish the widespread and arbitary use of the death penalty for offences such as tax evasion, cigarette smuggling or selling fake birth control certificates.

That this House wishes to express its grave concern about, and abhors, the continuing human rights abuses in China, including the harassment and detention of pro-democracy activists, members of religious communities and members of independent trade unions; further condemns the torture of those in prison; and calls on the Chinese...

That this House congratulates the Camrbidge Evening News on its successful and popular 'Shop a Pusher' campaign to encourage members of the public to come forward with information about drug dealers; and believes that drugs damage the fabric of our society and that local community initiatives such as this have an important role to play in combating the drugs menance.

That this House congratulates the Camrbidge Evening News on its successful and popular 'Shop a Pusher' campaign to encourage members of the public to come forward with information about drug dealers; and believes that drugs damage the fabric of our society and that local community initiatives such as this have...

That this House believes that the principle of confidentiality of personal health information is essential to the ethics of medical practice and forms the cornerstone of the doctor-patient relationship; recognises that there are increasing risks of unauthorised or inappropriate access to patients' confidential records due to widespread computerisation; welcomes improved communications within the NHS while upholding the confidentiality of personal health records; believes that the introduction of the NHS wide network raises serious questions about securing the confidentiality of personal medical records stored on it; notes that the main threat to the confidentiality and security of records on the network lies with those authorised to use the system; calls on the Government to reconsider their security policy to ensure that rigid access controls exist for each user connected to the NHS wide network; agrees with the British Medical Association that it would be unethical for health professionals to use the NHS wide network for identifiable patient data until adequate security policies are in place; and calls on the Government to support legislation, vital to safeguard confidentiality and protect patients' privacy, to make it a criminal offence to disclose personal health information without the patient's informed consent or in exceptional circumstances.

That this House believes that the principle of confidentiality of personal health information is essential to the ethics of medical practice and forms the cornerstone of the doctor-patient relationship; recognises that there are increasing risks of unauthorised or inappropriate access to patients' confidential records due to widespread computerisation; welcomes improved...

That this House expresses its concern that the Ministry of Defence is considering procurement of military ambulances from Steyer of Austria; notes the quality of ambulances built in the United Kingdom and the value of the automotive industry to the British economy; and therefore calls upon the Minister of Defence Procurement to listen to the concerns beings expressed by the management and work forces of the Rover Group and Marshalls SPV of Cambridge in order to ensure that all relevant points have been taken into account when the decision is made.

That this House expresses its concern that the Ministry of Defence is considering procurement of military ambulances from Steyer of Austria; notes the quality of ambulances built in the United Kingdom and the value of the automotive industry to the British economy; and therefore calls upon the Minister of Defence...

That this House expresses its concern that the Ministry of Defence is considering procurement of military ambulances from Steyer of Austria; notes the quality of ambulances built in the United Kingdom and the value of the automotive industry to the British economy; and therefore calls upon the Minister of Defence Procurement to listen to the concerns being expressed by the management and work forces of the Rover Group and Marshalls QBV of Cambridge in order to ensure that all relevant points have been taken into account when the decision is made.

That this House expresses its concern that the Ministry of Defence is considering procurement of military ambulances from Steyer of Austria; notes the quality of ambulances built in the United Kingdom and the value of the automotive industry to the British economy; and therefore calls upon the Minister of Defence...

That this House condemns the action by West Anglia Great Northern Railway (WAGN) in raising charges by 140 per cent. for taxi drivers using the cab rank on the railway station forecourt in Cambridge; and believes that this is not in the interest of the travelling public and that privatisation plans are causing WAGN to be more concerned about profit than about public service.

That this House condemns the action by West Anglia Great Northern Railway (WAGN) in raising charges by 140 per cent. for taxi drivers using the cab rank on the railway station forecourt in Cambridge; and believes that this is not in the interest of the travelling public and that privatisation...

That this House condemns the action of the Burmese Military Junta (SLORC) in their refusal to recognise the democratically elected government and the independence of indigenous ethnic groups; notes that human rights abuses such as rape and forced porterage have been confirmed recently by a UN special rapporteur; further notes that since 1962 an estimated 1.5 million have fled the regime, the majority of whom are women and children; recognises that the situation has been compounded by the 26th January overthrow of Manerplaw, the headquarters of the Karen State; and calls upon Her Majesty's Government to condemn the SLORC offensive, which is contrary to its claims at the UN General Assembly of working for peace and national reconcilation, contact the Thai Government and urge them not to support the SLORC troops in any way and not to push back Burmese refugees fleeing SLORC troops taking refuge in Thailand, announce that Her Majesty's Government will be exerting every effort for the restoration of democracy and human rights in Burma, including the heightening of isolation if evidence of progress is not apparent and urge the UN Secretary General to use his office to halt the offensive and to achieve a genuine political settlement in accordance with the latest UN General Assembly resolution.

That this House condemns the action of the Burmese Military Junta (SLORC) in their refusal to recognise the democratically elected government and the independence of indigenous ethnic groups; notes that human rights abuses such as rape and forced porterage have been confirmed recently by a UN special rapporteur; further notes...