That this House congratulates the crofting community of Pairc in the Western Isles for its historic vote to use its right under the Scottish Land Reform Act to make a compulsory purchase of the 25,000 acre Pairc Estate; commends the Pairc Community Trust and the Scottish Community Land Unit for the responsible way they managed the consultation process and the ballot; applauds the Labour Government for having launched the land reform process in January 1999 through its Green Paper, and the Scottish Parliament for having passed the Land Reform Act in January 2003; and hopes that many other communities in the Highlands and Islands will take similar advantage of their new rights under the Act, so fulfilling the vision of sweeping land reform in the Scottish Highlands and Islands first articulated by radical politicians such as Keir Hardie and the crofting MPs, Dr Roderick MacDonald, Charles Fraser MacKintosh, Dr Gavin Clark, Alexander Sutherland and Donald MacFarlane, more than 100 years ago.

That this House congratulates the crofting community of Pairc in the Western Isles for its historic vote to use its right under the Scottish Land Reform Act to make a compulsory purchase of the 25,000 acre Pairc Estate; commends the Pairc Community Trust and the Scottish Community Land Unit for...

That this House notes the importance, particularly for rural communities, pensioners and small businesses, of bank customers being able to access their current accounts at Post Office branches to make withdrawals, pay bills and engage in all associated business; commends the agreements to provide such access which exist between Post Office Ltd, Alliance and Leicester, Barclays, Lloyds TSB Scotland, the Co-operative Bank, First Direct, Cahoot and Smile; regrets that while the Post Office has for some time wanted to offer customers of The Royal Bank of Scotland, Halifax Bank of Scotland (HBOS) and The Clydesdale Group similar access to their current accounts, it has not been able to secure agreements with those banks; and calls upon the three main Scottish banks to immediately match the other United Kingdom operations in the financial sector by allowing their customers full nationwide access to their current accounts through the Post Office branch network.

That this House notes the importance, particularly for rural communities, pensioners and small businesses, of bank customers being able to access their current accounts at Post Office branches to make withdrawals, pay bills and engage in all associated business; commends the agreements to provide such access which exist between Post...

That this House expresses its shock and dismay at the assassination of the Prime Minister of Serbia, Mr Zoran Djindjic; notes that Mr Djindjic was personally responsible for the courageous decision to extradite Slobodan Milosevic to the War Crimes Tribunal in The Hague; believes that peace, security and democracy will not prevail in Serbia until the remaining indictees for war crimes are also extradited to The Hague, including Radovan Karadzic and General Mladic; and expresses its full support for all the democratic forces within Serbia in their brave, continuous battle to rid their country of the last vestiges of Milosevic's regime.

That this House expresses its shock and dismay at the assassination of the Prime Minister of Serbia, Mr Zoran Djindjic; notes that Mr Djindjic was personally responsible for the courageous decision to extradite Slobodan Milosevic to the War Crimes Tribunal in The Hague; believes that peace, security and democracy will...

That this House accepts the vote of 4th February which rejected both a fully appointed House of Lords and any form of direct election to the Lords; believes that there is still a substantial reform agenda to be completed which would command wide support; and asks the Government to invite the Joint Committee to bring forward proposals on the removal of the remaining hereditary peers, a reformed appointments procedure, including ways in which appointments can be made accountable to the elected House of Commons, and possible systems of indirect election, including a role for the devolved levels of government in the nations and regions of the United Kingdom.

That this House accepts the vote of 4th February which rejected both a fully appointed House of Lords and any form of direct election to the Lords; believes that there is still a substantial reform agenda to be completed which would command wide support; and asks the Government to invite...

That this House welcomes the publication of the Report on Securing the Future for Gaelic, produced by Comunn na Gaidhlig; supports its key aim of achieving secure status for the language through legislation; praises CNAG for the many constructive and responsible suggestions in their report; hopes that it will receive support in principle from all political parties; and believes that the provision of an official measure of support by legislation, as proposed by CNAG, will contribute to consolidating the enormous progress made with cross-party support in recent years, and also contribute to developing the potential of Gaelic in the life of modern Scotland.

That this House welcomes the publication of the Report on Securing the Future for Gaelic, produced by Comunn na Gaidhlig; supports its key aim of achieving secure status for the language through legislation; praises CNAG for the many constructive and responsible suggestions in their report; hopes that it will receive...

That this House endorses the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe's report on the conduct of elections in Serbia; supports the demand of the demonstrators that the outcome of the election be respected; applauds the demonstrators for their peaceful and dignified protest; welcomes this democratic challenge to the regime of President Milosevic, which was complicit in the worst acts of ethnic cleansing during the war in Bosnia, including the massacre at Srebenica; and expresses the hope that the present protests are the start of a process which will lead to Serbia being able to rejoin the European family of nations on the basis of democratic renewal and peaceful co-operation with its neighbours.

That this House endorses the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe's report on the conduct of elections in Serbia; supports the demand of the demonstrators that the outcome of the election be respected; applauds the demonstrators for their peaceful and dignified protest; welcomes this democratic challenge to the regime...

That this House deplores Government apathy and inaction in the face of the current crisis in the Scottish salmon farming industry; notes that the prices in the industry are at an historic low due to systematic dumping by Norway in European markets; believes that the collapse of the industry would be a catastrophe, costing thousands of jobs in the most fragile areas of Scotland; and calls upon the Government to make a formal request to the European Commission for a minimum import price for salmon to prevent dumping and to help restore fair competition.

That this House deplores Government apathy and inaction in the face of the current crisis in the Scottish salmon farming industry; notes that the prices in the industry are at an historic low due to systematic dumping by Norway in European markets; believes that the collapse of the industry would...

That this House endorses the findings of the International Crisis Group, chaired by Senator George Mitchell, that the conditions do not yet exist for free and fair elections in Bosnia-Herzegovina; understands the desire for early elections but believes that this should not be at the expense of fairness or democracy; suggests that the international community considers confining the elections to those parts of Bosnia-Herzegovina which demonstrate a real commitment to democratic practice;and believes that it will be impossible for the Pale-controlled territories to meet those conditions while indicted war criminals such as Karadic and Mladic remain at large and in effective control of these areas.

That this House endorses the findings of the International Crisis Group, chaired by Senator George Mitchell, that the conditions do not yet exist for free and fair elections in Bosnia-Herzegovina; understands the desire for early elections but believes that this should not be at the expense of fairness or democracy;...

That this House deplores the arrival at Dounreay of a shipment of weapons-grade spent nuclear fuel from Australia for reprocessing; notes that reprocessing increases the volume of nuclear waste 85 fold; believes that such reprocessing is a nuclear proliferation risk, environmentally undesirable, provides no long term economic benefit for Caithness, and is detrimental to key Highland industries including agriculture, tourism and fisheries; urges Her Majesty's Government to invest in Dounreay to develop instead local skills and expertise for non-nuclear work such as renewable energy; and calls for a halt to the importation of spent nuclear fuel for commercial reprocessing at Dounreay.

That this House deplores the arrival at Dounreay of a shipment of weapons-grade spent nuclear fuel from Australia for reprocessing; notes that reprocessing increases the volume of nuclear waste 85 fold; believes that such reprocessing is a nuclear proliferation risk, environmentally undesirable, provides no long term economic benefit for Caithness,...

That this House calls for the inclusion in the forthcoming population census in 2001 of a question on ability in the various indigenous minority languages of the United Kingdom and Ireland outwith, their home countries of origin so that an accurate assessment can be made of the full extent of knowledge of these languages across the whole of the United Kingdom.

That this House calls for the inclusion in the forthcoming population census in 2001 of a question on ability in the various indigenous minority languages of the United Kingdom and Ireland outwith, their home countries of origin so that an accurate assessment can be made of the full extent of...

That this House condemns the physical attack upon the EU-appointed administrator of Mostar, Mr Hans Koschnick, by extreme Croat nationalists in Bosnia; is gravely concerned that Mr Koschnick's vehicle was fired upon during the attack; notes that the Croat extremists in Bosnia have long been aided and abetted by the Croatian Government in Zagreb; supports fully the efforts by Mr Koshnick and the EU administration to re-unify Mostar and to overcome the murderous legacy of ethnic politics; and calls upon the British Government and other EU governments not to be deflected by this resort to violence by extreme Croat nationalists, and to make it clear to the Croatian Government in Zagreb that they will also be held to share responsibility for any further attacks upon EU personnel.

That this House condemns the physical attack upon the EU-appointed administrator of Mostar, Mr Hans Koschnick, by extreme Croat nationalists in Bosnia; is gravely concerned that Mr Koschnick's vehicle was fired upon during the attack; notes that the Croat extremists in Bosnia have long been aided and abetted by the...

That this House expresses its deep concern at reports that evidence of war crimes in Bosnia is being systematically disposed of and covered up by the forces responsible for these crimes; reminds the Government that it is part of I-For's task under the Dayton Agreement to help secure the conditions for a return to civic normality; believes that the investigation of war crimes and the arrest of war criminals is an essential part of that aim; calls upon the Government to ensure that British forces together with the rest of NATO, will provide strong and active assistance to the international authorities investigating war crimes; and demands that the Government begins immediately by securing and safeguarding the suspected mass graves at Ljubija and elsewhere within the control of British forces.

That this House expresses its deep concern at reports that evidence of war crimes in Bosnia is being systematically disposed of and covered up by the forces responsible for these crimes; reminds the Government that it is part of I-For's task under the Dayton Agreement to help secure the conditions...

That this House deplores the refusal by the Skye Bridge Company to offer concessions to disabled drivers displaying orange badges; notes that orange badge holders enjoyed a 50 per cent concession on the previous Caledonian MacBrayne ferry service; further notes that the Forth Road Bridge, Erskine Bridge, Tay Bridge and Severn Bridge give complete exemptions for orange badge holders; believes the Scottish Office is responsible for this mean spirited attitude on the Skye Bridge; and calls upon the Secretary of State to immediately grant disabled drivers the same concessions they enjoy on other bridges.

That this House deplores the refusal by the Skye Bridge Company to offer concessions to disabled drivers displaying orange badges; notes that orange badge holders enjoyed a 50 per cent concession on the previous Caledonian MacBrayne ferry service; further notes that the Forth Road Bridge, Erskine Bridge, Tay Bridge and...

That this House condemns the Government for trying to eliminate the minority languages budget line in the current EU budget; notes that this budget line is used for the development of the EU's population; applauds the support the EU provides for cross-national activities and exchanges not funded by national governments; and calls upon the Government to change its policy, and to seek instead an increase in the relevant budget line, in order that minority languages can continue to develop and flourish within the European Union, and so that subsidiarity and cultural diversity can be made a reality.

That this House condemns the Government for trying to eliminate the minority languages budget line in the current EU budget; notes that this budget line is used for the development of the EU's population; applauds the support the EU provides for cross-national activities and exchanges not funded by national governments;...

That this House notes the greatest humiliation in the 50 year history of the United Nations with the fall of Srebenica; believes that all the safe areas, being under seige, are under military attack and have a right to self-defence and to UN protection; condemns the failure of European governments in particular to take effective action to halt ethnic cleansing and the creation of an ethnically pure, apartheid Serb state in Europe; considers that the fall of Srebenica is nevertheless no excuse for defeatism in the other safe areas but, on the contrary, should spur the UN finally to enforce with all means necessary its mandate to deliver humanitarian aid and to protect the remaining safe areas; and believes that the best stand could be made by Her Majesty's Government immediately backing the proposal of General Rupert Smith to relieve the seige of Sarajevo by opening the route over Mount Igman.

That this House notes the greatest humiliation in the 50 year history of the United Nations with the fall of Srebenica; believes that all the safe areas, being under seige, are under military attack and have a right to self-defence and to UN protection; condemns the failure of European governments...

That this House welcomes past progress in Gaelic broadcasting in both television and radio in Scotland; believes that the continuing commitment of the BBC, as the major public service broadcaster, is central in maintaining this progress; recalls that as far back as 1982, the Broadcasting Council for Scotland endorsed the recommendations of the BBC's Gaelic Study Group for a national Gaelic radio service, broadcasting for some 65 hours a week, plus a minimum of two hours television a week, excluding programmes funded by the Gaelic Television Committee; believes that the time is right for a new commitment to those targets by the BBC; and urges that these targets be included within the management agreement to be concluded between the Government and the BBC as part of the Charter Review process.

That this House welcomes past progress in Gaelic broadcasting in both television and radio in Scotland; believes that the continuing commitment of the BBC, as the major public service broadcaster, is central in maintaining this progress; recalls that as far back as 1982, the Broadcasting Council for Scotland endorsed the...

That this House notes with concern the recent burning of copies of The Feral Tribune by right-wing political groups in Split, Croatia; observes that vandals were able to terrorise kiosks selling opposition newspapers, despite police having forewarnings of these attacks; believes that this is part of a disturbing trend of diminishing media freedom in Croatia and the emergence of an increasingly authoritarian political culture; and calls upon the Government of Croatia to halt and reverse these trends and to build instead in Croatia a political community which respects a diversity of views and opinions.

That this House notes with concern the recent burning of copies of The Feral Tribune by right-wing political groups in Split, Croatia; observes that vandals were able to terrorise kiosks selling opposition newspapers, despite police having forewarnings of these attacks; believes that this is part of a disturbing trend of...

That this House congratulates Greenpeace, the Western Isles Council and all the individual members of the public who participated in the successful campaign to halt the dumping of the Brent Spar; believes that the Prime Minister has been proven completely wrong in his defence of dumping at sea, as well as quite out of touch with public opinion on the environment; trusts that all future redundant North Sea installations will be recycled on land; looks forward to the creation of hundreds of thousands of man-hours of work for British yards as a result; and believes that this shows recycling to be both environmentally desirable and better for the economy as well.

That this House congratulates Greenpeace, the Western Isles Council and all the individual members of the public who participated in the successful campaign to halt the dumping of the Brent Spar; believes that the Prime Minister has been proven completely wrong in his defence of dumping at sea, as well...

That this House expresses its great concern about the proposed closures of Customs and Excise offices at Stornoway, Campbeltown, Fort William, Islay, Newtonstewart, Wick, Kirkwall and Lerwick; believes that such closures would lead, inevitably, to an increase in the smuggling of illegal drugs on the West Coast; deplores the hypocrisy of the Government in calling for a campaign against illegal drugs while closing down offices and making redundant the staff who are in the front-line against drug-smuggling; and demands that the Government call an immediate halt to the proposed closures.

That this House expresses its great concern about the proposed closures of Customs and Excise offices at Stornoway, Campbeltown, Fort William, Islay, Newtonstewart, Wick, Kirkwall and Lerwick; believes that such closures would lead, inevitably, to an increase in the smuggling of illegal drugs on the West Coast; deplores the hypocrisy...

That this House welcomes the decision by Western Isles Council to oppose the proposed coastal superquarry on the Isle of Harris; notes that the superquarry was rejected by the people of Harris in a postal referendum by a margin of two to one, on a turnout of over 80 per cent.; believes it is inconceivable that the Secretary of State for Scotland could impose a coastal superquarry in a national scenic area against the combined opposition of the local community and the local planning authority, and against the advice of Scottish Natural Heritage; and calls upon the Secretary of State to announce his decision at the earliest practicable date and to reject the proposed superquarry.

That this House welcomes the decision by Western Isles Council to oppose the proposed coastal superquarry on the Isle of Harris; notes that the superquarry was rejected by the people of Harris in a postal referendum by a margin of two to one, on a turnout of over 80 per...