That this House notes the Epilepsy Action survey of January 2009; agrees that it is time for change for people with epilepsy; recognises that the majority of primary care trusts and acute trusts in England are failing to meet National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) Guidelines of 2004 for adults and children with epilepsy; congratulates Epilepsy Action for highlighting these issues in its campaign Epilepsy in England: time for change; believes that all health commissioners should carry out a review of their implementation of the NICE epilepsy guidelines and develop plans to ensure these are met; and calls on the Government to take a lead in driving improvements in epilepsy service provision and appoint a national clinical director to review service provision in England and lead change.

That this House notes the Epilepsy Action survey of January 2009; agrees that it is time for change for people with epilepsy; recognises that the majority of primary care trusts and acute trusts in England are failing to meet National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) Guidelines of 2004...

That this House congratulates the UK on signing the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse; notes that Article 6 of the Convention states that each party shall take the necessary legislative or other measures to ensure that children, during primary and secondary education, receive information on the risks of sexual exploitation and sexual abuse, as well as on the means to protect themselves, adapted to their evolving capacity and this information, provided in collaboration with parents, where appropriate, shall be given within a more general context of information on sexuality and shall pay special attention to situations of risk, especially those involving the use of new information and communication technologies; and therefore calls on the Government to make age-appropriate, gender-sensitive sex and relationship education compulsory both through legislative proposals and its current review of sex and relationship education delivery.

That this House congratulates the UK on signing the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse; notes that Article 6 of the Convention states that each party shall take the necessary legislative or other measures to ensure that children, during primary and...

That this House supports access to safe abortion as early as possible for women who need one; recognises that medical ethics, practice and social attitudes about abortion have progressed since the Abortion Act was framed in 1967; is concerned that the current legislation imposes clinically unnecessary restrictions which cause delays, resulting in abortion taking place at a later gestation than is necessary; notes the Science and Technology Committee's recent inquiry into the `Scientific Developments relation to the Abortion Act 1967' which found no evidence to support the need for two doctors' signatures for a woman to have an abortion; recommended that suitably trained healthcare practitioners as well as doctors should be permitted to perform abortions, that the restriction on the locations where abortions could take place should be removed to give women the choice of completing the second stage of early medical abortion at home; further notes these recommendations are supported by the RCOG, the RCN, the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare, fpa, Antenatal Results and Choices, Abortion Rights, the British Pregnancy Advisory Service, Marie Stopes International, Doctors for a Woman's Choice on Abortion and Brook; further notes these organisations support provision of safe abortions in other primary care settings as a way to increase choice, improve access and minimise delay; and urges hon. Members to support amendments to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill to modernise the law and improve women's early access to abortion.

That this House supports access to safe abortion as early as possible for women who need one; recognises that medical ethics, practice and social attitudes about abortion have progressed since the Abortion Act was framed in 1967; is concerned that the current legislation imposes clinically unnecessary restrictions which cause delays,...

That this House notes the recent Department of Health decision to purchase a bivalent, rather than quadrivalent, Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine for the national HPV immunisation programme; recognises that, as well as preventing cervical cancer, a quadrivalent vaccine would protect against a wider range of conditions, including genital warts, reducing sexually-transmitted infections and costs for the NHS; understands that the UK will be the only country in the world to opt for a bivalent rather than quadrivalent vaccine for a national programme; shares the disappointment of fpa, the Terrence Higgins Trust, Brook and the British Association of Sexual Health and HIV at this decision; and urges the Government to reconsider.

That this House notes the recent Department of Health decision to purchase a bivalent, rather than quadrivalent, Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine for the national HPV immunisation programme; recognises that, as well as preventing cervical cancer, a quadrivalent vaccine would protect against a wider range of conditions, including genital warts,...

That this House notes the vulnerability of migrant domestic workers to exploitation and forced labour; recognises the benefits of the existing domestic worker visa, which does not allow recourse to public funds, but gives the right to change employer, renew a visa (if in work) and apply for settlement after five years; welcomes the publication of the Oxfam and Kalayaan report The New Bonded Labour? that details the adverse impact on migrant domestic workers, of the proposed changes to this visa; further welcomes the recent Government Response to the Consultation on Visitors, which states that the domestic worker visa will be retained for two years and then reviewed; and urges the Government to protect the rights of migrant domestic workers and continue to work to end their exploitation.

That this House notes the vulnerability of migrant domestic workers to exploitation and forced labour; recognises the benefits of the existing domestic worker visa, which does not allow recourse to public funds, but gives the right to change employer, renew a visa (if in work) and apply for settlement after...

That this House notes with concern that maternal and child death rates are still extremely high in developing countries, owing to the inadequacy of human resources and the absence of quality health services, particularly in rural areas of Africa, Asia and Latin America; acknowledges that the international community agreed to reduce maternal mortality by 75 per cent. by 2015 under Millennium Development Goal 5; therefore welcomes the emphasis placed on strengthening health services, especially sexual and reproductive health and rights, including maternal and child health and family planning services, in the Department for International Development's Achieving Universal Access, The New UK Strategy for Halting and Reversing the Spread of HIV in the Developing World; further notes that United Kingdom medical organisations, including the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists are working to ensure that training and expertise are provided in developing countries; and calls upon the Government to highlight maternal and child health at forthcoming key events in the European Parliament, the G8 Summit and UN meetings.

That this House notes with concern that maternal and child death rates are still extremely high in developing countries, owing to the inadequacy of human resources and the absence of quality health services, particularly in rural areas of Africa, Asia and Latin America; acknowledges that the international community agreed to...

That this House notes that reducing the abortion time-limit from 24 weeks would force some women to continue a pregnancy and give birth against their will; further notes that the time-limit is considered by many people to be set on the basis of when the foetus would be viable; further notes the findings of the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee's recent report Scientific Developments relating to the Abortion Act 1967, and its conclusion that below 24 weeks they `have seen no good evidence to suggest that the foetal viability has improved significantly since the abortion time-limit was last set, and seen some good evidence to suggest that it has not'; further notes that this view, that there is no medical or scientific justification for a reduction in the current abortion time limit, is shared by the BMA, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, the British Association of Perinatal Medicine, the RCN, the FPA and Antenatal Results and Choices; observes that less than 2 per cent. of abortions take place above 20 weeks gestation and involve the most vulnerable women in the most difficult personal circumstances who are not undertaking abortion lightly; believes that the best way to reduce the number of abortions is to reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies by improving sex and relationships education, and improving access to effective contraception; and therefore supports women's access to safe legal abortion, within the current ethically and scientifically justified time-limit of 24 weeks.

That this House notes that reducing the abortion time-limit from 24 weeks would force some women to continue a pregnancy and give birth against their will; further notes that the time-limit is considered by many people to be set on the basis of when the foetus would be viable; further...

That this House congratulates the Joint Epilepsy Council on its campaign to ensure that the Department for Children, Schools and Families recognises epilepsy as a condition that causes special educational needs (SEN); notes with concern that children and young people with epilepsy routinely experience potential health, learning, behavioural and emotional needs as a direct result of their epilepsy; regrets that around two-thirds of children and young people with epilepsy who attend mainstream schools are believed to underachieve academically; further notes that this equates to 40,000 affected children, given that there are 60,000 children with epilepsy in UK schools; and urges the Government to consider the needs of children and young people with epilepsy when enacting the Children's Plan commitment to improve SEN data collection.

That this House congratulates the Joint Epilepsy Council on its campaign to ensure that the Department for Children, Schools and Families recognises epilepsy as a condition that causes special educational needs (SEN); notes with concern that children and young people with epilepsy routinely experience potential health, learning, behavioural and emotional...

That this House recognises the importance of International Women's Day on 8th March; notes that it has been observed for almost 100 years and that significant achievements have been made to advance women's equality during that time; further notes with dismay the continuing challenges women face to achieve social, economic and political equality and the failure to make progress on the important targets set by Millennium Development Goal 5, to reduce by three quarters the maternal mortality ratio; further notes that there are still more than 500,000 women dying globally each year from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth and that this is a denial of their basic human rights; and therefore demands greater efforts by the international development community to increase funding and technical expertise to solve this continuing public health emergency.

That this House recognises the importance of International Women's Day on 8th March; notes that it has been observed for almost 100 years and that significant achievements have been made to advance women's equality during that time; further notes with dismay the continuing challenges women face to achieve social, economic...

That this House notes the vulnerability of migrant domestic workers to exploitation and forced labour and the benefits of the existing domestic worker visa, which does not allow recourse to public funds, but does give the right to change employer, renew a visa (if in work) and apply for settlement after five years; believes strongly that the proposal to introduce a business visitor visa that will remove the right to change employer and restrict the maximum stay to six months will dramatically increase the power of abusive employers and the incidence of domestic slavery in the UK; and therefore strongly urges the Government to drop this proposal and retain the protections in the current visa system.

That this House notes the vulnerability of migrant domestic workers to exploitation and forced labour and the benefits of the existing domestic worker visa, which does not allow recourse to public funds, but does give the right to change employer, renew a visa (if in work) and apply for settlement...

That this House welcomes the Prime Minister's statement that preventing ill health is a priority for the Government and notes the opportunity that now exists to prevent future generations suffering from a range of conditions, in addition to cervical cancer, caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV); further notes that genital warts is caused by HPV types six and 11 and is a significant burden on sexual health services costing the NHS an estimated ??22.5 million per year and causing misery for over 80,000 men and women per annum who receive a new diagnosis, and many others who require repeat treatment; and calls for support for the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV, the Terrence Higgins Trust, the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare and the Family Planning Association's request that the Government does not miss the opportunity that now exists and acts to prevent both genital warts and cervical cancer by HPV immunisation.

That this House welcomes the Prime Minister's statement that preventing ill health is a priority for the Government and notes the opportunity that now exists to prevent future generations suffering from a range of conditions, in addition to cervical cancer, caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV); further notes that...

That this House acknowledges the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare's name change from the Faculty of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care; recognises that the change reflects the broad and holistic remit of the Faculty's training programmes, which include sexual health promotion and education, contraception, preconceptual care, medical gynaecology, sexually transmitted infection screening, testing and treatment, abortion care and sexual dysfunction services; notes that the clinicians delivering these services work in a wide variety of disciplines across primary and secondary care including specialist community services, treating patients and contributing to the training and education of other professionals; acknowledges that the sexual and reproductive health services the Faculty supports exist to provide everyone with the information they need to enable them to enjoy a healthy sexual life of their choice and, as far as possible, to avoid unwanted consequences; and calls on the Department of Health to take action to prevent the closure of community clinics and send a clear signal to primary care trusts that limiting access to contraceptive choice, sexual healthcare provision and professional training will have long-lasting negative health and economic effects on individuals and the community.

That this House acknowledges the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare's name change from the Faculty of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care; recognises that the change reflects the broad and holistic remit of the Faculty's training programmes, which include sexual health promotion and education, contraception, preconceptual care, medical gynaecology,...

That this House expresses deep concern about the 12 members of the Burmese Parliament currently in detention in Burma; calls for the immediate release of Aung Soe Myint, Khin Maung Swe, Khun Tun Oo, Khin Maung Win, Kyaw Khin, Kyaw Min, Kyaw San, Dr May Win Myint, Saw Hlaing, Dr Than Nyein, Zaw Myint Maung and Saw Naing Naing; expresses particular concern about the condition of Khun Tun Oo, the Shan National League for Democracy member, who is in ill-health and is being denied proper medical attention; and calls on the Government to increase efforts to secure the release of these MPs and on the UN Special Envoy to Burma immediately to press the regime in Burma to release these MPs and all political prisoners in Burma.

That this House expresses deep concern about the 12 members of the Burmese Parliament currently in detention in Burma; calls for the immediate release of Aung Soe Myint, Khin Maung Swe, Khun Tun Oo, Khin Maung Win, Kyaw Khin, Kyaw Min, Kyaw San, Dr May Win Myint, Saw Hlaing, Dr...

That this House notes that recent estimates suggest that UK bank and building society customers have thousands of pounds of unclaimed assets in dormant bank and savings accounts; further notes the Government's plans to introduce a scheme to distribute accounts left dormant for over 15 years to charitable causes; believes that first and foremost this money belongs to individuals and that every effort should first be made to reunite them with their funds; congratulates Halifax Bank of Scotland for launching a major campaign to reunite customers with their lost balances; recognises that this is the first such initiative to be launched by a bank; and calls on other banks and building societies to follow suit.

That this House notes that recent estimates suggest that UK bank and building society customers have thousands of pounds of unclaimed assets in dormant bank and savings accounts; further notes the Government's plans to introduce a scheme to distribute accounts left dormant for over 15 years to charitable causes; believes...

That this House welcomes the Report of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Epilepsy, which highlights 400 avoidable deaths each year, 69,000 people with epilepsy living with unnecessary seizures, and 74,000 people taking powerful anti-epileptic drugs they do not need; notes that the report identifies achievable savings of ??189 million per year by improving the service for people with epilepsy; and therefore calls upon the Government to take up the challenge on behalf of people with epilepsy and on behalf of taxpayers to deliver a better service at a reduced cost.

That this House welcomes the Report of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Epilepsy, which highlights 400 avoidable deaths each year, 69,000 people with epilepsy living with unnecessary seizures, and 74,000 people taking powerful anti-epileptic drugs they do not need; notes that the report identifies achievable savings of ??189 million per...

That this House notes with concern that people with epilepsy are more than twice as likely as the national average to be at risk of unemployment and underemployment; further notes the recent Epilepsy Action Survey that revealed that 47 per cent. of people with epilepsy believe that they have been discriminated against when applying for employment, and that 14 per cent. of people with epilepsy are actively seeking work (more than double the International Labour Organisation rate of 8.8 per cent. for disabled people); recognises that people with epilepsy still experience stigma and fear in relation to their condition in the workplace despite the protection of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995; further notes that epilepsy is the most common serious neurological condition in the UK, affecting around 456,000 people; welcomes this year's focus of Epilepsy Awareness Week from 20th to 26th May on employment issues; and joins with the Joint Epilepsy Council in calling upon the Government to take steps to promote equality, opportunity and understanding for people with epilepsy in the workplace much more effectively.

That this House notes with concern that people with epilepsy are more than twice as likely as the national average to be at risk of unemployment and underemployment; further notes the recent Epilepsy Action Survey that revealed that 47 per cent. of people with epilepsy believe that they have been...

That this House recognises that Home Office proposals to change the domestic worker visa to a business visitor visa, removing the right to change employer and restricting the maximum stay to six months, are a complete reversal of previous government policy, which was intended to protect this category of often exploited and abused workers; notes with concern that the proposals will dramatically increase the power of abusive employers, and will make it impossible in practice for migrant domestic workers to access UK employment law, effectively legalising trafficking and domestic slavery of vulnerable workers; and therefore calls on the Government to retain the domestic worker visa giving the right to change employer, to renew a visa and to apply for settlement after five years.

That this House recognises that Home Office proposals to change the domestic worker visa to a business visitor visa, removing the right to change employer and restricting the maximum stay to six months, are a complete reversal of previous government policy, which was intended to protect this category of often...

That this House welcomes the decision of the UK Government to sign the Council of Europe Convention on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings; and looks forward to its subsequent ratification.

That this House welcomes the decision of the UK Government to sign the Council of Europe Convention on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings; and looks forward to its subsequent ratification.

That this House welcomes the Government's decision to strengthen the Code for Sustainable Homes by introducing a five star rating system to assess the sustainability of new homes; further welcomes the decision to require all homes to have an energy performance certificate when they are sold; calls on the Government to require all those selling new housing to assess and publicise performance against the Code; and further calls on the Government to send a clear signal to the housing industry that the standards set in the Code will be required in future building regulations.

That this House welcomes the Government's decision to strengthen the Code for Sustainable Homes by introducing a five star rating system to assess the sustainability of new homes; further welcomes the decision to require all homes to have an energy performance certificate when they are sold; calls on the Government...

That this House expresses its admiration for the six million people in the UK who provide unpaid help and support to a relative or friend who could not otherwise manage because of frailty, illness or disability; is concerned that large numbers of carers are unknown to statutory agencies; notes that Carers Week, being held this year from 12th to 18th June, has the theme of carers and health, with the objective of assisting carers and enabling them to access support and services; believes that carers need to be viewed as key partners in community care; is further concerned that 79 per cent. of carers say that their health has been affected by caring; further notes that nine out of 10 carers believe they will benefit from annual health checks; and calls on local statutory health bodies to carry out an audit of good practice in their area and to establish timescales for the introduction of health checks for carers.

That this House expresses its admiration for the six million people in the UK who provide unpaid help and support to a relative or friend who could not otherwise manage because of frailty, illness or disability; is concerned that large numbers of carers are unknown to statutory agencies; notes that...