That this House congratulates the Royal Society of Chemistry for its pioneering organisation of the event, Science and the General Election 2010, to be held in the Attlee Suite on 9 March 2010 at 7.30pm; recognises that the Society has organised this debate on science `to serve the public interest' in conjunction with the House of Commons Select Committee on Science and Technology and major UK science and engineering organisations including the Royal Society, the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Institute of Physics, the Society of Biology, the Campaign for Science and Engineering, the Geological Society, the Royal Astronomical Society and others; acknowledges the growing interest in debating science and engineering issues prior to the General Election; recognises that science and engineering will play a vitally important part in a wide range of issues facing the next Parliament and the next Government; and hopes that right hon. and hon. Members from all sides of the House and members of the science and engineering community will be able to benefit from listening to the Parliamentary representatives of the major parties who will be taking part in this debate.

That this House congratulates the Royal Society of Chemistry for its pioneering organisation of the event, Science and the General Election 2010, to be held in the Attlee Suite on 9 March 2010 at 7.30pm; recognises that the Society has organised this debate on science `to serve the public interest'...

That this House notes the publication of the Mandatory Code for Alcohol Retailers; regrets that the off-trade is not required to uphold similar high standards in its sale of alcohol; further notes that supermarkets' selling of super-cheap alcohol in bulk volumes significantly adds to alcohol harm in the UK; further notes the especially concerning practice of pre-loading, for which the pub trade is not responsible; believes that supermarkets have an important role to play in reducing alcohol harm; and calls on the Government urgently to tackle deep discounting and below-cost selling in the off-trade.

That this House notes the publication of the Mandatory Code for Alcohol Retailers; regrets that the off-trade is not required to uphold similar high standards in its sale of alcohol; further notes that supermarkets' selling of super-cheap alcohol in bulk volumes significantly adds to alcohol harm in the UK; further...

That this House notes with concern that some tenants in the private rented sector can currently be evicted with little or no notice when their landlords are repossessed; backs the provisions contained in the Mortgage Repossession (Protection of Tenants etc) Bill granting courts the discretion to defer possession for up to two months to allow tenants time to find alternative accommodation and avoid homelessness; further notes the support of Crisis, Shelter, Citizens Advice, the Chartered Institute of Housing, the British Property Federation, the Residential Landlords Association and the National Landlords Association for the Bill; and urges all hon. Members to support this Bill through all its stages including at the Second Reading stage on 29 January 2010.

That this House notes with concern that some tenants in the private rented sector can currently be evicted with little or no notice when their landlords are repossessed; backs the provisions contained in the Mortgage Repossession (Protection of Tenants etc) Bill granting courts the discretion to defer possession for up...

That this House welcomes the sympathetic consideration given by Ministers to representations made by right hon. and hon. Members on behalf of the natural health products industry about problems with unfair and illegal competition from the Channel Islands; further welcomes in particular the Government's considered view that the Nutrition and Health Claim Regulation, the Food Supplements Directive and the Medicines Directive do apply to the Channel Islands under Protocol 3 of the Treaty of Accession; further welcomes the progress made by Guernsey's adoption of its medicines legislation; hopes that appropriate attention will now be given to enforcement; remains concerned that businesses from the Channel Islands continue to market directly to the United Kingdom mainland products which contain illegal ingredients or which are promoted using illegal claims thus jeopardising consumer safety; observes that this situation will not be resolved as long as the required food legislation is not implemented in either Guernsey or Jersey; notes that in many cases such products also benefit from low value consignment relief and avoid liability for value added tax, seriously undermining the competitiveness of responsible UK suppliers; encourages Ministers to remain actively engaged in addressing these issues; and calls on the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, the Food Standards Agency, Royal Mail, the Advertising Standards Authority, and trading standards officers to take urgent enforcement action and to continue to engage with the authorities in the Channel Islands to secure the effective implementation of the necessary legislation without further delay.

That this House welcomes the sympathetic consideration given by Ministers to representations made by right hon. and hon. Members on behalf of the natural health products industry about problems with unfair and illegal competition from the Channel Islands; further welcomes in particular the Government's considered view that the Nutrition and...

That this House recognises that age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of poor sight in people over 60 years; notes that there are two types of AMD, wet and dry, dry being the most common form of the condition; further notes that there is research which suggests that vitamin supplements can help slow down the progression of dry AMD; expresses concern that provision of vitamin supplements to treat AMD on the NHS is decided by local primary care trusts and therefore postcode-controlled; congratulates the Government for providing treatment for wet AMD on the NHS; and urges it to provide treatment for dry AMD on the NHS to all those over the age of 60, irrespective of where in England they happen to live.

That this House recognises that age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of poor sight in people over 60 years; notes that there are two types of AMD, wet and dry, dry being the most common form of the condition; further notes that there is research which suggests...

That this House appreciates the efforts made to allow disabled persons to use rail services as easily as possible; notes, however, that having to give advance warning of travel by wheelchair-bound persons constitutes a great inconvenience for such rail users; further notes the timekeeping, health and safety and practicality issues involved in having to store mobile ramps for use at stations; calls for more research into the possibility of fitting automated disabled access ramps to all new rolling stock put into operation in the UK; and further calls on the Government to examine every possible development which could lead to this being put into action.

That this House appreciates the efforts made to allow disabled persons to use rail services as easily as possible; notes, however, that having to give advance warning of travel by wheelchair-bound persons constitutes a great inconvenience for such rail users; further notes the timekeeping, health and safety and practicality issues...

That this House notes that after much delay proposals for maximum permitted levels for vitamins and minerals in food supplements under Article 5 of the Food Supplements Directive are expected to be published by the European Commission in early 2010; further notes that despite efforts from the UK Government and Food Standards Agency the levels remain likely to be set in a disproportionately restrictive way and will have a devastating impact on the UK health food industry; welcomes the recent impact assessment carried out by the Health Food Manufacturers' Association and the National Association of Health Stores to quantify the impact that the setting of maximum permitted levels will have on UK businesses; expresses its profound concern that the impact assessment suggests that the setting of maximum permitted levels could potentially lead to the loss of well over ??100 million worth of sales, the closure of more than 700 independent retail stores and around 4,000 job losses; fears that smaller specialist manufacturers and retailers will be the hardest hit by this legislation; suggests that this process will restrict the choice to British consumers and leave such consumers exposed to the additional risks of buying products from unregulated overseas suppliers through the internet and mail order; and invites the Government to redouble its efforts in Europe to safeguard the future of the UK health food industry and the continued availability of safe, higher potency food supplements that have been on the UK market for decades.

That this House notes that after much delay proposals for maximum permitted levels for vitamins and minerals in food supplements under Article 5 of the Food Supplements Directive are expected to be published by the European Commission in early 2010; further notes that despite efforts from the UK Government and...

That this House supports the Circulation Foundation's efforts to raise awareness of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and the growing lower limb amputation rate in the UK; notes that over 100,000 people are diagnosed with the disease every year and that PAD is often a precursor for heart failure or stroke; recognises that vascular specialists often see patients when little can be done to save their leg; further recognises that the UK has one of the lowest revascularisation rates in legs across Europe; and urges the Department of Health to encourage local vascular networks to agree network-wide protocols for the identification, referral, investigation and treatment of people with peripheral arterial disease.

That this House supports the Circulation Foundation's efforts to raise awareness of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and the growing lower limb amputation rate in the UK; notes that over 100,000 people are diagnosed with the disease every year and that PAD is often a precursor for heart failure or stroke;...

That this House marks the launch of the Royal Society of Chemistry's Chemistry Week 2009 in November; notes that among its key objectives is to raise awareness of the vital role of chemistry in food and food security as one of the major global issues of current times; further notes that activities are taking place in constituencies up and down the country based on the chemical science of food; further notes the wide range of activities organised by the Society in local communities and constituencies all over the country which are designed to illustrate the Chemistry Week theme of food which focuses on the vital role of the chemical sciences; further notes that at the Parliamentary launch of Chemistry Week on 9 November the proportion voting for fish and chips as the nation's favourite food was 60 per cent. while that voting for curry was 37.5 per cent.; and further notes the unrivalled contribution that the study of chemistry and the chemical sciences have made and continue to make to the understanding of nature, to the quality of life and to the knowledge economy of the 21st century.

That this House marks the launch of the Royal Society of Chemistry's Chemistry Week 2009 in November; notes that among its key objectives is to raise awareness of the vital role of chemistry in food and food security as one of the major global issues of current times; further notes...

That this House notes the recent increase in the number of H1N1 swine influenza cases; welcomes the start of the Government's H1N1 vaccination campaign; urges the population not to forget the significant impact that seasonal influenza has on the health of the UK population in normal years; further notes that every year approximately 8,000 people suffer influenza-related deaths in the winter months in England and Wales; recognises the achievement of the Department of Health's seasonal influenza vaccination campaign for those aged 65 and over, where vaccination coverage rates have reached over 74 per cent.; is concerned that uptake rates for those at risk under 65 years old are still low; further recognises the huge burden that seasonal influenza places on NHS resources; endorses the Chief Medical Officer's call for healthcare workers to protect themselves and their patients by getting seasonal influenza vaccinations; and calls for the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation to review the case for reducing the age for influenza vaccination to 50 years and above in order to increase the overall uptake rates and to meet the World Health Organisation target for population coverage.

That this House notes the recent increase in the number of H1N1 swine influenza cases; welcomes the start of the Government's H1N1 vaccination campaign; urges the population not to forget the significant impact that seasonal influenza has on the health of the UK population in normal years; further notes that...

That this House applauds the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) for its commitment to encourage an interest in science among young people; applauds the efforts that are being made throughout the United Kingdom, especially by teachers in primary and secondary schools, to revitalise the science curriculum and to convey the excitement of science to pupils and students; further notes that on 28 October the prestigious RSC Bill Bryson Science Prize will be presented by the celebrated author himself, together with the RSC President-Elect Professor David Phillips, to Jamie Addison, Max Angel, Hector Duncan, Kinnari Patel, Annie Pilsworth, and Mia Pugsley (primary school winners) of Whitehill Junior School in Hitchin, supported by their teacher Ms Aline Dickinson; to Kieran Gajraj, Henry Grantham, George Hallas, Joss Hiett, Natascha Matten, Jessica Morgan, Katie Roberts, Jeremy Soper, Jamie Willman and Hugh Willman (secondary school winners) of Taunton School in Devon, supported by their teacher Dr James Penny; and to Charlotte Benwell, Ruth Blake-Lobb, Jamie Couch, Stephanie Errington, Daniel Finnerty, Katherine House, Alexander Locock, Hannah McArthur, Patricia McCarthy, Adam Morris, Connor Pote, Lucy Prior, Sophie Rowntree and Samuel Tucker (overall winners) of Ridgeway School in Plymouth, supported by their teacher Mrs Karen Findlay; applauds the students' outstanding entries in the RSC Bill Bryson science competition; and further notes the unrivalled contribution that the study of chemistry and the chemical sciences have made and continue to make to our understanding of nature, to the quality of life, and to the knowlege economy of the 21st century.

That this House applauds the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) for its commitment to encourage an interest in science among young people; applauds the efforts that are being made throughout the United Kingdom, especially by teachers in primary and secondary schools, to revitalise the science curriculum and to convey the...

That this House very much regrets the Government's decision to postpone making retro-reflective markings mandatory on all newly registered heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) until 2011; is dismayed that this announcement was made just 24 days before the measure was due to come into force; is concerned that although HGVs make up just 5.7 per cent. of road traffic, they are involved in 15 per cent. of all fatal road accidents; recalls that a report commissioned by the Department for Transport concluded that fitting retro-reflective markings to the sides and backs of HGVs increases conspicuity and reduces fatalities and that there is a cost-benefit to making this measure mandatory on all newly registered HGVs; questions the Government's statement that the postponement is in view of the economic climate in light of a statement by the Freight Transport Association that the measure would have a relatively slight impact on the industry; notes that this measure would cost approximately 0.001 per cent. of the price of a new vehicle; and calls on the Government to fulfil its commitment to introduce this measure for all newly registered vehicles immediately in order to reduce the disproportionate number of fatal accidents involving HGVs.

That this House very much regrets the Government's decision to postpone making retro-reflective markings mandatory on all newly registered heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) until 2011; is dismayed that this announcement was made just 24 days before the measure was due to come into force; is concerned that although HGVs make...

That this House congratulates Bolton boxer Amir Khan on his victory over Andriy Kotelnik to take the World Boxing Association light-welterweight title at the MEN Arena on 18 July 2009.

That this House congratulates Bolton boxer Amir Khan on his victory over Andriy Kotelnik to take the World Boxing Association light-welterweight title at the MEN Arena on 18 July 2009.

That this House commemorates the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar landing and the historic moment that Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walked on the moon; recognises the importance of space exploration and technology; understands that the enduring legacy of Apollo 11 is responsible for the advancement of many industries including medicine, telecommunications, defence, travel, entertainment and other space programmes; and calls on the Government to continue the UK's commitment to the space programme and to support the UK's aerospace industry.

That this House commemorates the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar landing and the historic moment that Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walked on the moon; recognises the importance of space exploration and technology; understands that the enduring legacy of Apollo 11 is responsible for the advancement of many...

That this House congratulates the Royal Society of Chemistry on holding its Parliamentary Links Day on 24 June 2009 on the theme of science and global security; welcomes the society's commitment to serve the public interest by improving the access of all hon. Members to scientific information and a better understanding of science; notes the keynote address by the right hon. Hilary Benn MP, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; notes that other speakers include Professor Dave Garner, President of the Royal Society of Chemistry, Lord Rees of Ludlow, President of the Royal Society, Dr Scott Steedman, Vice President of the Royal Academy of Engineering, Professor Paul Monks, Royal Society of Chemistry, Professor Alan Malcolm, Chief Executive of the Institute of Biology, Mr Alan Pratt, Vice President of the Institute of Physics, Dr Richard Herrington of the Geological Society, and welcomes the participation of the hon. Member for Windsor, Shadow Minister for Science and Innovation, the hon. Member for Harrogate, Chair of the Select Committee on Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills, and Professor John Beddington, the Government's Chief Scientific Adviser; further notes that the Parliamentary Links Day is an established and respected event on the annual Parliamentary calendar; further notes that the Royal Society of Chemistry's pioneering Parliamentary Link Scheme, pairing scientists with Members, is open to right hon. and hon. Members on all sides of the House; and further welcomes the continuing contribution that the Parliamentary Links Day makes to strengthening the dialogue between Parliament and the science and engineering community.

That this House congratulates the Royal Society of Chemistry on holding its Parliamentary Links Day on 24 June 2009 on the theme of science and global security; welcomes the society's commitment to serve the public interest by improving the access of all hon. Members to scientific information and a better...

That this House welcomes the launch of the Depression Alliance's report Daring to Choose: ten ways to deliver choice for people with depression and anxiety; supports the work of the Depression Alliance and Depression Awareness Week, 20 to 26 April 2009; notes with concern that one in six people in the UK will suffer from depression in their lives; believes that choice is vital to empower people and combat stigma and discrimination; welcomes the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies programme but recognises that it needs to be integrated with a wide range of other services for it to be effective; and calls on the Government to make depression and anxiety an urgent public health priority, make available a full range of treatment options, psychological, pharmacological, social and others, and implement the recommendations set out in the Depression Alliance's report.

That this House welcomes the launch of the Depression Alliance's report Daring to Choose: ten ways to deliver choice for people with depression and anxiety; supports the work of the Depression Alliance and Depression Awareness Week, 20 to 26 April 2009; notes with concern that one in six people in...

That this House welcomes the progress made to improve the availability and quality of drug treatment and the contribution made by drug service providers to the health and well-being of the nation; recognises that drug treatment is cost-effective and brings significant benefits to individuals, families, neighbourhoods and communities; believes that an effective treatment system must provide a range of evidence-based services, as different approaches will suit different people at different points in their journey out of drug dependency; and urges hon. Members to commit to continued public investment in drug treatment, informed by the best available research.

That this House welcomes the progress made to improve the availability and quality of drug treatment and the contribution made by drug service providers to the health and well-being of the nation; recognises that drug treatment is cost-effective and brings significant benefits to individuals, families, neighbourhoods and communities; believes that...

That this House congratulates the Royal Society of Chemistry on organising Voice of the Future 2009 on 10 March at the House and on its continuing commitment under its Royal Charter to serve the public interest by seeking to assist hon. Members with a better understanding of science; notes that Voice of the Future 2009 is taking place during National Science and Engineering Week and involves young scientists and engineers from all over the UK, including A Level science students from Holland Park School, Wallington High School, St Olave's School, Queen's Park Community School, Chiswick Community School and Westminster School; further notes that the event will be addressed by both the Minister for Science and Innovation and the Shadow Minister for Innovation, Universities and Skills; further notes the special Science Question Time with hon. Members on the Select Committee on Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills; applauds the involvement in this event of many of the UK's greatest science and engineering organisations, including the Royal Society, the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Institute of Physics, the Institute of Biology, the Biosciences Federation, the Council for the Mathematical Sciences, the Geological Society and many other organisations, including the Campaign for Science and Engineering; welcomes the expertise and assistance that these eminent bodies can give to Parliament; and further welcomes the contribution that Voice of the Future 2009 can make to building and maintaining a constructive dialogue between Parliament and the younger generation of scientists and engineers.

That this House congratulates the Royal Society of Chemistry on organising Voice of the Future 2009 on 10 March at the House and on its continuing commitment under its Royal Charter to serve the public interest by seeking to assist hon. Members with a better understanding of science; notes that...

That this House congratulates the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) for introducing additional considerations for the appraisal of life extending, end of life treatments; warmly welcomes the positive outcomes for patients from these reforms; further welcomes the outcomes from one of the first such appraisals to use these additional considerations which resulted in a preliminary recommendation to make lenalidomide available for use in the NHS to treat multiple myeloma; further congratulates the patient groups who championed these reforms, including Myeloma UK and the Rarer Cancers Forum; recognises the significant contribution made by the recently-deceased Chief Executive of the Rarer Cancers Forum, Penny Wilson-Webb; and commends the manufacturers of lenalidomide, Celgene, for negotiating the pricing system which enabled NICE to make this positive recommendation.

That this House congratulates the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) for introducing additional considerations for the appraisal of life extending, end of life treatments; warmly welcomes the positive outcomes for patients from these reforms; further welcomes the outcomes from one of the first such appraisals to use...

That this House is concerned that the most recent road accident statistics show that in 2007 the number of fatal accidents involving heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) increased despite a drop in the overall number of accidents; notes that although HGVs make up just 5.7 per cent. of road traffic, they are involved in 15 per cent. of all fatal road accidents; recalls that a report commissioned by the Department for Transport concluded that fitting retro-reflective markings to the sides and back of HGVs increases conspicuity and reduces fatalities and that there is a cost-benefit to making this measure mandatory on all newly registered HGVs; understands the financial pressures currently facing the haulage industry, but notes that this measure would cost approximately 0.001 per cent. of the price of a new vehicle; is dismayed that despite an undertaking to introduce such a measure for all newly registered HGVs by 10 October 2009, under the draft statutory instrument published by the Department for Transport, only around five per cent. of newly registered vehicles will be required to have conspicuity markings; and calls on the Government to ensure that all newly registered vehicles and their trailers are fitted with conspicuity markings from that date, and to use the annual HGV test to enforce this measure.

That this House is concerned that the most recent road accident statistics show that in 2007 the number of fatal accidents involving heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) increased despite a drop in the overall number of accidents; notes that although HGVs make up just 5.7 per cent. of road traffic, they...