That this House notes with concern that Section 106 of the Equality Act 2010 is yet to be commenced; acknowledges that this legislation would require political parties to monitor the diversity of their election candidates; regrets that Section 106 does not cover local government elections, that there is no transparency of the diversity of election candidates and that progress on the representation of women and minority groups remains unacceptably slow; further acknowledges that it is vital for this House to better reflect the diversity of the people we seek to represent; and calls on the Government to commence Section 106 with immediate effect, as unanimously recommended by the Women and Equalities Select Committee in its Fifth Report of Session 2016-17, Women in the House of Commons after the 2020 election, HC630, and to seek to amend Section 106 in the future to include local government elections within its scope.

That this House notes with concern that Section 106 of the Equality Act 2010 is yet to be commenced; acknowledges that this legislation would require political parties to monitor the diversity of their election candidates; regrets that Section 106 does not cover local government elections, that there is no transparency...

That this House notes the growing practice of local authorities in refusing financially to support children on school transport to the school of their choice; further notes that the Government believes in parental choice where possible; notes that local authorities are refusing to support school transport costs where the child lives closer to another school; notes in addition that no consideration is given to the fact that the parents wish the child to go to a school not the closest to them on the grounds of religion, educational offerings, size of school and medical grounds; notes that the cost to parents of this can be in excess of £500 per child; and calls on the Government to remove discretion from local authorities and ensure financial support for school transport is provided where the distance of travel is deemed reasonable, or to review the 1944 Education Act which provides an outdated pretext for the policy of many local education authorities.

That this House notes the growing practice of local authorities in refusing financially to support children on school transport to the school of their choice; further notes that the Government believes in parental choice where possible; notes that local authorities are refusing to support school transport costs where the child...

That this House notes the outcome of the latest EU Council of Ministers meeting on transport on the proposed EU Regulation on market access to port services and financial transparency of ports; further notes that it is the Government's stated preference, 'that proposals for regulation applicable to the UK in this area - in which earlier proposals have twice been rejected by the European Parliament - should not be taken forward'; also notes that the Government did not oppose the general approach text of the Regulation at the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council meeting on 8th October 2014 is concerned that the provisions and concessions secured by the Government in its negotiations may be removed by the European Parliament or undermined by the European Court of Justice and the European Commission; further notes that the UK port industry is not persuaded that the legislation is acceptable despite these concessions; further notes the continuing opposition of the UK port industry and trade unions to the proposed Regulation in its totality; calls on the Government to ensure that this proposal is debated and voted on the floor of the House, as recommended by the European Scrutiny Committee, within the next three weeks; and also calls on the Government to abide by the will of the House in all future legislative stages of this Regulation.

That this House notes the outcome of the latest EU Council of Ministers meeting on transport on the proposed EU Regulation on market access to port services and financial transparency of ports; further notes that it is the Government's stated preference, 'that proposals for regulation applicable to the UK in...

That this House notes that EU Directive 2012/33/EU regarding the sulphur content of marine fuels from 1 January 2015 will require ships in the Sulphur Emission Control Area to use fuel with a sulphur content that cannot exceed 0.1 per cent; further notes that the Sulphur Emission Control Area covers the English Channel, the North Sea and the Baltic Sea and therefore has a particularly adverse effect on the UK shipping industry in particular; considers that as a result fuel prices and the cost of shipping will increase; is concerned that these increased costs are likely to be passed on to the consumer and are already costing jobs in the shipping industry; further notes that jobs have already been lost in the shipping industry, that additional jobs are under threat, and that this is detrimental to coastal communities; further notes that the Government has been consulted on the implantation of this directive; and calls on the Government to demand exemptions to protect jobs in British shipping and British ports, reflecting that the UK is unique in the EU as an international maritime trading nation.

That this House notes that EU Directive 2012/33/EU regarding the sulphur content of marine fuels from 1 January 2015 will require ships in the Sulphur Emission Control Area to use fuel with a sulphur content that cannot exceed 0.1 per cent; further notes that the Sulphur Emission Control Area covers...

That this House urges the Scottish people to vote to keep Scotland as a part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, because Scotland as part of the UK can provide far greater security and prosperity for its people than Scotland could on its own, by virtue of the global reach of the UK's influence as one of the richest and most powerful states in the world; notes that the great social, economic and political reforms, such as the NHS, the growth of free enterprise and free trade and the introduction of universal suffrage for men and women, were all brought about by the United Kingdom; considers that, far from stifling Scotland, Scotland's identity and character has flourished within the UK, and the influence of Scotland's industry, engineering, science, medicine, philosophy, literature, arts and sport has been incalculable; further considers that together these nations have fought and defeated tyranny and promoted freedom, democracy and the rule of law and that the Union does not fetter but empowers Scotland, helping to create and to sustain one of the most influential powers on earth; believes that only together can future generations of the four nations of the Union ensure greater freedom, prosperity and security in the century ahead for all; and fervently hopes the Scottish people will draw back from breaking this great marriage of nations which would result in decades of pain, blame and recrimination, and instead continue to evolve the Union of our great nations from within.

That this House urges the Scottish people to vote to keep Scotland as a part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, because Scotland as part of the UK can provide far greater security and prosperity for its people than Scotland could on its own, by virtue...

That this House notes that leprosy is completely curable; welcomes LEPRA Health in Action's Humanity in Action campaign to enddiscrimination againstpeople affected by leprosy worldwide; further welcomes the Government's signing of United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC)resolution A/HRC/15/30 on the elimination of discrimination against persons affected by leprosy and their family members; supports UNHRC submission A/HRC/15/30 on the draft set of principles and guidelines for the elimination of discrimination against persons affected by leprosy and their family members; further notes that legislation which discriminates against sufferers of leprosy is still in place in numerous countries, including the UK;calls on the Government to bring forward legislative proposals to enddiscrimination against people withleprosy; and further calls on the Government to do all that it can to put an end to discrimination against persons affected by leprosy worldwide.

That this House notes that leprosy is completely curable; welcomes LEPRA Health in Action's Humanity in Action campaign to enddiscrimination againstpeople affected by leprosy worldwide; further welcomes the Government's signing of United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC)resolution A/HRC/15/30 on the elimination of discrimination against persons affected by leprosy and their...

That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, praying that theOfficial Feed and Food Controls (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2011(S.I., No. 136), dated 25 January 2011, a copy of which was laid before this House on 28 January, be annulled.

That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, praying that theOfficial Feed and Food Controls (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2011(S.I., No. 136), dated 25 January 2011, a copy of which was laid before this House on 28 January, be annulled.

That this House notes that in 2002 the Electoral Commission, following consultations on the holding of a possible referendum on the euro on the same day as other elections on 1 May 2003, issued a statement making clear that referendums on fundamental issues of national importance should be considered in isolation and that they should not be held at the same time as devolved assembly or local government elections; further notes that in a recent report the House of Lords Constitution Committee recommended that there should be a presumption against holding referendums on the same day as elections; recognises that this advice is in accordance with best constitutional practice in countries such as Switzerland, where referendums are more regularly held; believes that this constitutional practice should be observed unless there are very exceptional reasons for it to be set aside; is concerned at the proposal to hold the referendum on whether to change the voting system on 5 May 2011, which is the same day as elections to the Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales and to local authorities in Northern Ireland, but only in parts of England; further believes that this proposal would allow other issues to cloud the referendum debate before the vote, would artificially inflate turnout in some parts of the country but not others, and that it may accordingly advantage one campaign at the expense of the other; proposes that any referendum on this issue should therefore be held on a different date; and looks forward to advice from the Electoral Commission on this matter which is consistent with its previous statements.

That this House notes that in 2002 the Electoral Commission, following consultations on the holding of a possible referendum on the euro on the same day as other elections on 1 May 2003, issued a statement making clear that referendums on fundamental issues of national importance should be considered in...

That this House welcomes Tendring District Council's proposal to extend the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to include the southern shore of the River Stour; notes the need for recognised legal protection and stewardship for this important landscape; and calls on Natural England to grant the extension, which is supported by The Forestry Commission, The National Trust and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.

That this House welcomes Tendring District Council's proposal to extend the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to include the southern shore of the River Stour; notes the need for recognised legal protection and stewardship for this important landscape; and calls on Natural England to grant the...

That this House notes that 12 May is the 90th anniversary of Combat Stress, the leading charity specialising in the care of British veterans who have been profoundly traumatised by harrowing experiences during their service career and who are suffering from poor mental health as a result; congratulates the charity on the excellent work it has done for ex-servicemen and women throughout its history and particularly in the last few years with armed forces personnel who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan; and congratulates Combat Stress further on its highly successful campaign to have psychological wounding recognised as an occupational hazard of military service and addressed as effectively as the Government already addresses physical injury.

That this House notes that 12 May is the 90th anniversary of Combat Stress, the leading charity specialising in the care of British veterans who have been profoundly traumatised by harrowing experiences during their service career and who are suffering from poor mental health as a result; congratulates the charity...

That this House notes that the report of the inquiry conducted by Chief Constable Ian Johnston of the British Transport Police, and which was commissioned by the Metropolitan Police in December to review the arrest and investigation of the hon. Member for Ashford, has been withheld from public scrutiny and from Parliament despite the fact that parts of the report were released by the Metropolitan Police on 16 December 2008 and used in comments by Assistant Police Commissioner Bob Quick; and therefore calls on the Home Secretary to take appropriate measures to ensure that a copy of the report be placed in the Library without further delay.

That this House notes that the report of the inquiry conducted by Chief Constable Ian Johnston of the British Transport Police, and which was commissioned by the Metropolitan Police in December to review the arrest and investigation of the hon. Member for Ashford, has been withheld from public scrutiny and...

That this House expresses concern that some terminally ill adults end their suffering by travelling abroad to die, committing suicide, asking a loved one for assistance to die, or are illegally assisted to die by their doctor; notes that the Suicide Act 1961 aims to protect vulnerable people by prohibiting complicity in suicide; welcomes the Government's plans to modernise the law via the Coroners and Justice Bill to make it explicitly clear that this prohibition applies to the internet; further notes that there are concerns that the Suicide Act 1961 is not fit for purpose; and calls for a full debate on whether the law should be updated sufficiently to protect vulnerable people whilst distinguishing between assisting suicide and assisting the death of a mentally competent terminally ill adult.

That this House expresses concern that some terminally ill adults end their suffering by travelling abroad to die, committing suicide, asking a loved one for assistance to die, or are illegally assisted to die by their doctor; notes that the Suicide Act 1961 aims to protect vulnerable people by prohibiting...

That this House expresses deep concern at the vulnerability of British troops deployed in Afghanistan in Snatch Land Rovers; and urges the Government to publish a date by which Snatch Land Rovers will no longer be required for British military operations in Afghanistan, except as required for lower-profile, less protected operations.

That this House expresses deep concern at the vulnerability of British troops deployed in Afghanistan in Snatch Land Rovers; and urges the Government to publish a date by which Snatch Land Rovers will no longer be required for British military operations in Afghanistan, except as required for lower-profile, less protected...

That this House notes that school balances have been charged in the past; expresses concern at Government proposals for a universal five per cent. levy on unspent balances to be imposed on schools in England; further notes that many schools prudently plan for the future and save for special projects; considers that schools should not be penalised for building up balances to cover planned education projects that will deliver the best possible education to students; stresses that excessive school balances have fallen in the past five years; further notes that the National Association of Head Teachers has stated that attempting to cut surpluses already committed to projects would be unacceptable and that the Association of School and College Leaders has said that schools should not be penalised if they have a significant balance when it is part of their planned expenditure programme; and calls on the Government to take into account the legitimate concerns of schools, head teachers and governors in consulting on the Draft School Finance Regulations 2008.

That this House notes that school balances have been charged in the past; expresses concern at Government proposals for a universal five per cent. levy on unspent balances to be imposed on schools in England; further notes that many schools prudently plan for the future and save for special projects;...

That this House notes the proposals of the European Commission of 8th February 2007 whereby criminal offences and sanctions in relation to certain environmental matters will be determined at a European Union level by qualified majority voting; further notes the proposal by the German Presidency of the European Union for a framework decision whereby genocide denial anywhere within the European Union will be punishable as a criminal offence; and asserts, notwithstanding the merits or otherwise of the specific proposals referred to above, that the definition of, and sanctions applicable to, criminal offences committed in the UK should remain solely within the jurisdiction of this House and the UK courts.

That this House notes the proposals of the European Commission of 8th February 2007 whereby criminal offences and sanctions in relation to certain environmental matters will be determined at a European Union level by qualified majority voting; further notes the proposal by the German Presidency of the European Union for...

That this House applauds the exemplary recruitment record of the Royal Anglian Regiment, which was created from several former historic county regiments representing Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Huntingdonshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Northamptonshire, Rutland and Suffolk; notes that the population of these counties is greater than that of Scotland and Yorkshire; further notes that the Royal Anglian Regiment already forms an integral part of the Government's proposals to establish regional regiments of three battalions elsewhere in the United Kingdom; believes that the reinstatement of the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Anglian Regiment would be fully in accord with the proposed new structure; and therefore calls on the Secretary of State for Defence to reinstate the 3rd Battalion.

That this House applauds the exemplary recruitment record of the Royal Anglian Regiment, which was created from several former historic county regiments representing Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Huntingdonshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Northamptonshire, Rutland and Suffolk; notes that the population of these counties is greater than that of Scotland and Yorkshire;...

That this House notes that at international sporting events such as football and rugby, Scotland has 'Flower of Scotland' played as its national anthem; further notes that Wales has 'Mae Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau' (Land of my Fathers') played as its national anthem; is disappointed to note that England has 'God Save the Queen' played; believes that 'God Save the Queen' is appropriate as the national anthem for the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland but is not appropriate as the national anthem of England alone; further believes that England should have its own national anthem for sporting events; and tentatively suggests that it should be 'Jerusalem'.

That this House notes that at international sporting events such as football and rugby, Scotland has 'Flower of Scotland' played as its national anthem; further notes that Wales has 'Mae Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau' (Land of my Fathers') played as its national anthem; is disappointed to note that England has...

That this House notes the lack of popular support for regional government in the South East; believes that a referendum on regional government for the South East would be a costly and unnecessary distraction from the real concerns of people throughout the South East who want better public services and see no need for a costly reorganisation of local government or for a new tier of politicians and bureaucrats which, by removing powers from local government, would make decisions more remote from the people, not closer to them; and particularly deplores the threat to the future of the ancient and universally popular counties such as Kent, Surrey, Oxfordshire and Hampshire.

That this House notes the lack of popular support for regional government in the South East; believes that a referendum on regional government for the South East would be a costly and unnecessary distraction from the real concerns of people throughout the South East who want better public services and...

That this House notes that when a referendum was given to the Scottish people on devolution, the projected cost of the Scottish Parliament was ??40 million; is shocked that six years later the cost of heading towards ??400 million; notes also that the cost of running devolved government in London has been five times the Government's estimate prior to the London Assembly being established; and demands that Her Majesty's Government provides a factual, not fictional, projected cost of regional assemblies to electors in regions facing a referendum.

That this House notes that when a referendum was given to the Scottish people on devolution, the projected cost of the Scottish Parliament was ??40 million; is shocked that six years later the cost of heading towards ??400 million; notes also that the cost of running devolved government in London...

That this House believes that a referendum on regional government for the West Midlands would be a costly and unnecessary distraction from the real concerns of people throughout Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire, who want better public services and have no need for a costly reorganisation of local government or for a new tier of politicians and bureaucrats, which by removing powers from local government would make decisions more remote from the people, not closer to them.

That this House believes that a referendum on regional government for the West Midlands would be a costly and unnecessary distraction from the real concerns of people throughout Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire, who want better public services and have no need for a costly reorganisation of local government or for...