That this House welcomes the contribution mobile communications technology is making to improving the delivery of public services, particularly health, transport, policing and local government; believes that this technology can improve efficiency, cut bureaucracy and reduce the burden on essential front line services, by offering public sector workers access to important information and data as and when it is needed; notes that mobile technology services such as general practitioner appointment reminders by text message or real time travel information via the mobile internet offer personalised access to public sector services; further notes the potential of third generation mobile communications to improve access to information and services; and urges the Government to consider seriously its widespread use in public sector reform and improvements.

That this House welcomes the contribution mobile communications technology is making to improving the delivery of public services, particularly health, transport, policing and local government; believes that this technology can improve efficiency, cut bureaucracy and reduce the burden on essential front line services, by offering public sector workers access to...

That this House notes the centenary of the birth of Jennie Lee, former Labour Minister for the Arts, on 3rd November, and is reminded that the pinnacle of her career was bringing into being the ground-breaking institution, The Open University; congratulates the Open University on marking this significant day with the official opening of a new university library, a state-of-the-art facility to serve a new generation of distance learners and to continue its pioneering work in widening participation in higher education; further congratulates the Open University on its achievements in enhancing the learning opportunities and the life chances of many hundreds of thousands of UK citizens and on its world-leading expertise in learning and teaching technologies; welcomes the Government's support for the unique role of the Open University in UK higher education; and hopes that decisions on funding now being considered by the Higher Education Funding Council for England will not inadvertently put the future of the Open University and Jennie Lee's remarkable legacy at risk.

That this House notes the centenary of the birth of Jennie Lee, former Labour Minister for the Arts, on 3rd November, and is reminded that the pinnacle of her career was bringing into being the ground-breaking institution, The Open University; congratulates the Open University on marking this significant day with...

That this House congratulates the BBC, ITV and Channel Four on their recent move to make their audio described programmes available on digital satellite for the thousands of blind and partially sighted people who can enjoy them on that platform; looks forward to the publication of the Office of Communications review of audio description targets; and hopes that this move by the Public Service Broadcasters will herald the beginning of an increase in the percentage and variety of programmes made accessible to blind and partially sighted people through audio description.

That this House congratulates the BBC, ITV and Channel Four on their recent move to make their audio described programmes available on digital satellite for the thousands of blind and partially sighted people who can enjoy them on that platform; looks forward to the publication of the Office of Communications...

That this House is disappointed by the residential energy efficiency aim set by the Government to achieve 4.2 megatonnes of carbon (MtC) savings by 2010 rather than the 5 MtC savings by 2010 envisaged by the Energy White Paper, particularly as 338 honourable Members have supported the 5 MtC figure by signing EDM 96, and because the lower figure will make it more difficult to achieve fuel poverty targets and environmental targets for the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions; and therefore calls upon the Government to implement urgently those measures already identified in the Energy Efficiency Implementation Plan and to consider introducing additional measures in this year's Comprehensive Spending Review.

That this House is disappointed by the residential energy efficiency aim set by the Government to achieve 4.2 megatonnes of carbon (MtC) savings by 2010 rather than the 5 MtC savings by 2010 envisaged by the Energy White Paper, particularly as 338 honourable Members have supported the 5 MtC figure...

That this House notes that small businesses, such as Motor Sports Developments Ltd based in Milton Keynes, have for many years meant that the UK has led the world in designing, developing, preparing, operating and promoting motor sports vehicles for international motor sport, notably the World Rally Championship; further notes that these companies enter into long-term contracts to develop the skills and experience to operate a world rally programme on behalf of a major car manufacturer; is therefore outraged that due to a unilateral decision made by the Hyundai Motor Company in Korea to use its economic power and not to make outstanding payments due to Motor Sports Developments Ltd, the company faces possible closure with the loss of 150 highly skilled employees; condemns Hyundai for acting in bad faith; believes that such a company is not fit to sponsor Euro 2004; and calls on the Government to ensure that where UK small businesses find themselves in this position, they are supported in their legal action against large foreign multi-nationals.

That this House notes that small businesses, such as Motor Sports Developments Ltd based in Milton Keynes, have for many years meant that the UK has led the world in designing, developing, preparing, operating and promoting motor sports vehicles for international motor sport, notably the World Rally Championship; further notes...

That this House notes that the priorities for the forthcoming UK Presidency of the EU have been set as assisting with poverty in Africa and dealing with climate change; notes that over 100 honourable Members have signed Early Day Motion No. 1075 in support of micro-generation and in particular in support of clause 129 of the energy Bill, and that nearly 200 have signed EDM 421 expressing their concern about world poverty; and believes that the development of a micro-generation strategy would enable the UK to offer micro-generation technology to poor African countries as a cheap and environmentally friendly way of dealing with both poverty in that continent and with climate change.

That this House notes that the priorities for the forthcoming UK Presidency of the EU have been set as assisting with poverty in Africa and dealing with climate change; notes that over 100 honourable Members have signed Early Day Motion No. 1075 in support of micro-generation and in particular in...

That this House welcomes the publication of the Disability Rights Commission's formal investigation into web access; notes with concern the finding that 81 per cent. of websites fail to meet minimum standards for disabled web access; believes equal access to online services and employment opportunities to be essential to full social inclusion for disabled people; and urges the Government to accept and act on the investigation's recommendations as soon as possible.

That this House welcomes the publication of the Disability Rights Commission's formal investigation into web access; notes with concern the finding that 81 per cent. of websites fail to meet minimum standards for disabled web access; believes equal access to online services and employment opportunities to be essential to full...

That this House congratulates the Chancellor of the Exchequer for his Department's acceptance of the Government's aim to save 5MtC from domestic energy efficiency by 2010 as outlined in its recent consultation document on economic instruments to improve household efficiency and in the presentation by his head of Environmental Taxes at the seminar organised by the Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homes on 25th September 2003; and therefore believes that the discussions on future changes to economic instruments are no impediment to the specification of this aim as the statutory energy efficiency aim that the Government is required to set under the Sustainable Energy Act 2003.

That this House congratulates the Chancellor of the Exchequer for his Department's acceptance of the Government's aim to save 5MtC from domestic energy efficiency by 2010 as outlined in its recent consultation document on economic instruments to improve household efficiency and in the presentation by his head of Environmental Taxes...

That this House congratulates the research team at The Open University led by Professor Colin Pillinger for their outstanding work on the Beagle 2 project which is scheduled to touch down on Mars on Christmas Day; notes that because this work was conducted in an open access institution, the research underpinning this project will bring benefit to far more students from a wider spectrum of backgrounds and in far quicker time than if it was conducted in a traditional selective-entry university; and calls on the Government to ensure that the special nature of The Open University and the unique access to excellence it provides should be recognised when considering research funding allocation in the future.

That this House congratulates the research team at The Open University led by Professor Colin Pillinger for their outstanding work on the Beagle 2 project which is scheduled to touch down on Mars on Christmas Day; notes that because this work was conducted in an open access institution, the research...

That this House welcomes the decision by Channel Five to mark the International Day of Disabled Persons on 3rd December by becoming the first UK public service broadcaster to offer audio description services on digital satellite television, alongside Sky's own services; encourages the other public service broadcasters to follow Channel Five's lead in meeting their obligations under the Communications Act 2003 to make their service accessible to blind and partially sighted people; and therefore calls on BBC, ITV and Channel 4 to offer their audio described programmes on BskyB in time for Christmas so that the two million people in the UK with a sight problem can enjoy Christmas television programmes along with their sighted friends and family.

That this House welcomes the decision by Channel Five to mark the International Day of Disabled Persons on 3rd December by becoming the first UK public service broadcaster to offer audio description services on digital satellite television, alongside Sky's own services; encourages the other public service broadcasters to follow Channel...

That this House notes that pursuant to the Sustainable Energy Act 2003 the Secretary of State must set an energy efficiency aim for residential accommodation; and welcomes the assurance given during the Committee Stage of that Act that in doing so the Government will work with the energy efficiency industry and others who have an interest, Official Report, 24th June, column 56; further notes that the industry and the environment and fuel poverty sectors have all stressed the importance of the aim being the achievement of five megatonnes of carbon savings per annum by 2010 from household energy efficiency as specified in the Energy White Paper, or a 20 per cent. improvement by 2010, the two being different ways of expressing the same target; further notes that this figure has been supported by the Cabinet Office's Performance and Innovation Unit, the Energy Saving Trust, the Sustainable Development Commission and by 420 honourable Members by means of signing various Early Day Motions and voting on this issue; welcomes the Written Answer given on 27th October by Energy Efficiency Minister Lord Whitty to Baroness Maddock, Official Report, column WA19, confirming the Government's commitment to achieving improvements in household energy efficiency of five megatonnes of carbon by 2010; and calls upon the Government to set as the energy efficiency aim the achievement of five megatonnes of carbon savings per annum by 2010 for the UK, with an appropriate proportion for England.

That this House notes that pursuant to the Sustainable Energy Act 2003 the Secretary of State must set an energy efficiency aim for residential accommodation; and welcomes the assurance given during the Committee Stage of that Act that in doing so the Government will work with the energy efficiency industry...

That this House, while welcoming the voluntary intiatives by some digital cable and satellite broadcasters to subtitle their programming and recognising the significant benefits that the proposed communications legislation will bring for deaf and hard of hearing people through the extension of subtitling requirements to digital cable and satellite television, notes that the proposed timescale of 10 years for achievement of this target will delay fuller access to television for the five million deaf and hard of hearing people in the United Kingdom who use subtitles on a regular basis until 2014 at the earliest; and therefore calls on the Government to give urgent consideration to reducing the proposed 10 year timescale.

That this House, while welcoming the voluntary intiatives by some digital cable and satellite broadcasters to subtitle their programming and recognising the significant benefits that the proposed communications legislation will bring for deaf and hard of hearing people through the extension of subtitling requirements to digital cable and satellite television,...

That this House welcomes the policy framework in the Energy White Paper published on 24th February, and therefore believes that the next step in the development of a strategy for a low carbon economy is the passing of the Sustainable Energy Bill promoted by the honourable Member for Milton Keynes North East and a cross-party group of honourable Members, which gives statutory back up for the Government's targets on carbon reduction, energy efficiency, renewable power and combined heat and power; notes that the Bill has the support of an unprecedented number of organisations including the Association for the Conservation of Energy, the Association for Environment Conscious Building, the Association of Coal Mine Methane Operators, British Biogen, British Hydro, the British Energy Efficiency Federation, the Combined Heat and Power Association, Energy Conservation and Solar Centre, Friends of the Earth, GLOBE UK, All Party Parliamentary Group, the Green Party, the Green Liberal Democrats, Help the Aged, National Energy Action, the National Federation of Women's Institutes, the National Home Improvement Council, the National Housing Federation, the National Right to Fuel Campaign, PV-UK, the Parliamentary Renewable and Sustainable Energy Group, the Renewable Power Association, RSPB, SERA, Shelter, the Tory Green Initiative, UK HECA Forum, UNISON and WWF-UK; and therefore hopes that the Bill will receive a second reading on 28th March and thereafter become law.

That this House welcomes the policy framework in the Energy White Paper published on 24th February, and therefore believes that the next step in the development of a strategy for a low carbon economy is the passing of the Sustainable Energy Bill promoted by the honourable Member for Milton Keynes...

That this House notes that the Regulatory Reform Act came into force in April 2001; further notes that in February this year the Prime Minister promised 260 regulatory reform orders in his regulatory action plan; notes also that only six regulatory reform orders have so far been approved; further notes that the greatest complaint of British business is the costs and burden of red tape and bureaucracy on their activities; and calls on the Government to deliver the commitments made by the Prime Minister in February and reduce the regulatory burden on business.

That this House notes that the Regulatory Reform Act came into force in April 2001; further notes that in February this year the Prime Minister promised 260 regulatory reform orders in his regulatory action plan; notes also that only six regulatory reform orders have so far been approved; further notes...

That this House welcomes the decision of the Communications Bill Pre-Legislative Scrutiny Committee to have a parallel online forum and live webcasting of the Committee's proceedings; notes the positive responses from the public to this innovation, which can be viewed globally but not in honourable Members' offices; and therefore calls on the House authorities to update the Parliamentary technology so as to extend to honourable Members of both Houses the same facility, as available to members of the public, to participate in this new and welcome way of improving legilation.

That this House welcomes the decision of the Communications Bill Pre-Legislative Scrutiny Committee to have a parallel online forum and live webcasting of the Committee's proceedings; notes the positive responses from the public to this innovation, which can be viewed globally but not in honourable Members' offices; and therefore calls...

That this House applauds the many people, both deaf and hearing, nationwide who are involved in the national campaign to improve the standards of deaf education; recognises that without this deaf children would suffer from low education attainments, which could lead to a lack of social development and an inability to participate in society fully; and therefore calls upon Her Majesty's Government to respond sympathetically to the campaign and recognises the particular needs of this vulnerable group of children in the drive to raise educational standards.

That this House applauds the many people, both deaf and hearing, nationwide who are involved in the national campaign to improve the standards of deaf education; recognises that without this deaf children would suffer from low education attainments, which could lead to a lack of social development and an inability...

That this House congratulates the Government on the success of the DTI's campaign to protect the consumer from 'rip off' Britain; notes the recent survey by Taylor Nelson Sofres, which has found that high street mobile phone operators are selling inappropriate and expensive mobile phone packages to consumers; believes that high street retailers are influenced by the commission they receive from operators for selling mobile packages with year long contracts; therefore supports Virgin Mobile's industry-wide transparency campaign; calls upon the Department of Trade and Industry and Oftel to regulate the advice given by independent high street mobile retailers; and further recommends that such retailers make clear to customers any formal links they have with a mobile operator and what commission they receive from operators.

That this House congratulates the Government on the success of the DTI's campaign to protect the consumer from 'rip off' Britain; notes the recent survey by Taylor Nelson Sofres, which has found that high street mobile phone operators are selling inappropriate and expensive mobile phone packages to consumers; believes that...

That this House notes with grave concern the reports from the Indonesian government that 40 per cent of the population is now in poverty due to the ongoing economic crisis; recognises that the resultant humanitarian crisis has been magnified by serious food shortages in rural areas due to the El Nino weather system; understands that the most serious short-term effects are not financial but humanitarian as up to 45 per cent of infants are malnourished, possibly a quarter of a million children have left school mid-term to earn an income for their families, and the instances of street children, child labour and child prostitution have risen dramatically; regrets that the international community continues to underestimate the severity and depth of the crisis; is aware that measures instituted by multilateral financial institutions may not be effectively addressing the problems to alleviate hunger and poverty; and calls upon Her Majesty's Government urgently to implement aid projects and directly support local civil society organisations, international non-governmental organisations and United Nations agencies in the short-term to reverse the deteriorating situation of the most vulnerable groups in Indonesia.

That this House notes with grave concern the reports from the Indonesian government that 40 per cent of the population is now in poverty due to the ongoing economic crisis; recognises that the resultant humanitarian crisis has been magnified by serious food shortages in rural areas due to the El...

That this House condemns Buckinghamshire Fire Authority for charging homeowners for pumping out their homes following recent flooding in Milton Keynes; notes that Buckinghamshire is the only fire authority proposing to do this; expresses its sympathy with those who suffered from the recent flooding and its outrage that their distress should be exacerbated in this way; and calls on Buckinghamshire to withdraw the charge and reconsider its action .

That this House condemns Buckinghamshire Fire Authority for charging homeowners for pumping out their homes following recent flooding in Milton Keynes; notes that Buckinghamshire is the only fire authority proposing to do this; expresses its sympathy with those who suffered from the recent flooding and its outrage that their distress...