That this House calls on the Government to ensure that the Post Office closure programme for urban post offices is conducted systematically and only after first consulting all relevant parties including post office users, local public bodies and authorities and the relevant honourable Member of Parliament, allows for adequate time for such consultation, takes into account not only the distance between existing post offices but also physical obstacles such as hills, rivers, canals and major roads between each post office and the nature of the community served by each post office including factors such as deprivation and concentrations of older or disabled people, has special regard to the level of deprivation in the area being served by the post office, and takes the views of both the public and Postwatch into account before announcing any closures; believes that the Government's failure to intervene has resulted in the closure of urban post offices which would have remained open had a systematic closure programme with full consultation been undertaken by the Post Office; and therefore deplores the closure of any post office which did not take these factors fully into account.

That this House calls on the Government to ensure that the Post Office closure programme for urban post offices is conducted systematically and only after first consulting all relevant parties including post office users, local public bodies and authorities and the relevant honourable Member of Parliament, allows for adequate time...

That this House welcomes the recent visit to the United Kingdom of Evangelos Venizelos, Culture Minister of Greece; notes the Greek Government's proposals for the return of the Parthenon Marbles to the Acropolis, including retention of ownership by the British Museum, exhibition of the sculptures in Athens on behalf of both Greece and the United Kingdom in partnership, and the reciprocal loan of major exhibitions of Greek art and artefacts to the British Museum, exhibitions which would otherwise never be seen in the United Kingdom; notes the commencement of the construction of the new Acropolis museum, with a completion date of 2004, including gallery space specially designed to show the reunited Parthenon sculptures presently held in London and Athens in their original context; and calls on the Government to enter into meaningful discussions with the Greek Government for the return of the Parthenon sculptures to Greece in time for the Athens Olympic Games of 2004.

That this House welcomes the recent visit to the United Kingdom of Evangelos Venizelos, Culture Minister of Greece; notes the Greek Government's proposals for the return of the Parthenon Marbles to the Acropolis, including retention of ownership by the British Museum, exhibition of the sculptures in Athens on behalf of...

That this House recognises the danger posed by the proliferation of ballistic missiles; believes that there are a number of policy instruments for dealing with these concerns other than a National Missile Defence, including diplomatic persuasion, arms control deterrence and other defensive measures; endorses the Government's commitment to preserve and strengthen the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty; urges the governments of the United States and Russia not to abrogate or withdraw unilaterally from the ABMT; and calls on Her Majesty's Government not to make any decisions regarding co-operation with National Missile Defence that would undermine strategic stability.

That this House recognises the danger posed by the proliferation of ballistic missiles; believes that there are a number of policy instruments for dealing with these concerns other than a National Missile Defence, including diplomatic persuasion, arms control deterrence and other defensive measures; endorses the Government's commitment to preserve and...

That this House notes the strong polarisation of views both among the people of the country and among Right honourable and honourable Members on the important issue of human cloning; acknowledges that cloning raises important ethical and scientific questions which require the most careful consideration; welcomes as the commencement of a process of consideration the debate on these issues on Friday 17th November; regrets that a majority of Right honourable and honourable Members did not have sufficient notice to be able to attend this important debate; believes that prudence and wisdom require much more detailed consideration before decisions are taken; and invites Her Majesty's Government to pause for further reflection, to withdraw the Statutory Instrument they have laid to implement the proposals of the Donaldson Report, and to wait before acting until such time as this House and the people of this country have had a full opportunity to judge the long-term implications of human cloning.

That this House notes the strong polarisation of views both among the people of the country and among Right honourable and honourable Members on the important issue of human cloning; acknowledges that cloning raises important ethical and scientific questions which require the most careful consideration; welcomes as the commencement of...

That this House deplores the death penalty which has been issued from the Aden Tawahi Court in Yemen for the apostasy of the Somali national Mohammed Omer Haji unless he recants his Christian faith and states that he is a Muslim before the judge three times on Wednesday 12th July; deplores that Mr Haji was held in custody for the sole reason that he held to the Christian faith and was severely beaten in custody to the point of not being able to walk; considers it a disgrace that UNHCR officials in Khormaksar stated they were only able to help him if he was a Muslim; and calls on the British Government and international colleagues to make representations immediately at the highest level in Yemen to ensure Mr Haji's swift release and long-term safety and for the repeal of Yemen's barbaric apostate laws.

That this House deplores the death penalty which has been issued from the Aden Tawahi Court in Yemen for the apostasy of the Somali national Mohammed Omer Haji unless he recants his Christian faith and states that he is a Muslim before the judge three times on Wednesday 12th July;...

That this House notes that the morning-after pill works by preventing the embryo from successfully implanting in the lining of the womb, and therefore is not a contraceptive; further notes that medical and scientific opinion is that life begins at fertilisation, and that the morning-after pill is therefore an abortifacient; notes with concern the health-risks associated with the morning-after pill, which include nausea, vomiting, thrombosis and ectopic pregnancy and that, if a woman in the early weeks of pregnancy takes a morning-after pill, her baby's brain could be malformed and/or the child could develop abnormalities such as heart-defects; further notes the provisions of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, as cited by Dr John Keown of Queen's College, Cambridge, in a letter to the Daily Telgraph of 30th November 1999 and elsewhere, protect nascent life before implantation; further notes that the World Medical Association's 1948 Declaration of Geneva states 'I will have the utmost respect for human life, from the time of conception; even under threat, I will not use my medical knowledge contrary to the laws of humanity'; further notes that, whether or not the morning-after pill interrupts pregnancy as defined by the law, it does interrupt pregnancy as defined by medical science, and that those who are not registered medical practioners should consequently not be expected to take responsibility for providing such treatment; and calls upon the Secretary of State for Health to restrict the availability of the morning-after pill as a matter of urgency and not to widen access thereto.

That this House notes that the morning-after pill works by preventing the embryo from successfully implanting in the lining of the womb, and therefore is not a contraceptive; further notes that medical and scientific opinion is that life begins at fertilisation, and that the morning-after pill is therefore an abortifacient;...

That this House notes the efforts of the Iranian Ministry of Information to close the Baha'i Institute for Higher Education in October 1998; further notes the raids on the homes of 500 Baha'is, the confiscation of material and teaching resources and the arrests of 36 faculty members, three of whom are still in prison; is aware that Baha'is are still denied access to state-run universities in Iran on grounds of their faith; observes that the Baha'i Institute for Higher Education provides the sole access to degree-level education for Baha'is in Iran; and urges Her Majesty's Government to bring to bear all diplomatic and political pressure upon the Government of Iran to allow Baha'is unhindered access to use their own educational institute and also to reinstate their right to study at state universities, and to press the Iranian authorities to give guarantees that they will respect the rights of the Baha'i community of that country to full access to education.

That this House notes the efforts of the Iranian Ministry of Information to close the Baha'i Institute for Higher Education in October 1998; further notes the raids on the homes of 500 Baha'is, the confiscation of material and teaching resources and the arrests of 36 faculty members, three of whom...

That this House notes with concern that Moscow prosecutors are attempting to ban Jehovah's Witnesses in the Russian capital, in a case which is the first real test of the law on religion passed by the State Duma and Federal Council and ratified by President Yeltsin in September 1997, that other religious groups also expect to be banned if they lose, that dozens of cases of harassment of religious groups by local police and authorities have taken place, and that last November the Moscow Helsinki Group reported that the conditions have been created for large scale persecution of non-Orthodox faiths in Russia; and urges the Government to raise this issue with the Government of the Russian Federation and at the next G-8 Summit and to press for this law, which contravenes the European Convention on Human Rights, Russia's commitments on accession to the Council of Europe and indeed its own constitution, to be annulled.

That this House notes with concern that Moscow prosecutors are attempting to ban Jehovah's Witnesses in the Russian capital, in a case which is the first real test of the law on religion passed by the State Duma and Federal Council and ratified by President Yeltsin in September 1997, that...

That this House recalls the terrible cost in lives and property caused by the narrow nationalism that led to war in Europe during this and earlier centuries; believes that the emergence of Fascism was a direct result of high unemployment, and a loss of faith in the democratic process, in the 1920's and 30's; is convinced that close co-operation in Europe is essential for economic and social well-being; reaffirms its commitment to the maintenance of democratic control, through the ballot box, in each and every nation in Europe of all major economic decisions that affect the life and work of their citizens; rejects the argument that the national interest of Britain or any other nation could ever be served by abandoning such democratic control within an economic and monetary union; fears that if such key decisions were transferred to a central bank which is neither elected, nor removable, by the people it could well lead to higher unemployment and a return to the very nationalist responses which have occurred in the past and which are now re-appearing again; and calls upon all the peoples of the European Union to campaign together to oppose the single currency and EMU under the control of a central bank and to work for a free and democratic Commonwealth of Europe, bringing in all the nations on the continent, co-operating at their own pace and through their own governments and parliaments directly answerable to their own peoples.

That this House recalls the terrible cost in lives and property caused by the narrow nationalism that led to war in Europe during this and earlier centuries; believes that the emergence of Fascism was a direct result of high unemployment, and a loss of faith in the democratic process, in...

That this House is concerned that the technical implications of the introduction of the euro are being overlooked; notes that many experts as well as people such as Alan Greenspan, Chairman of the US Federal Reserve, and the CIA have expressed concern at the consequences of attempting to tackle the introduction of the euro at the same time as the year 2000 date change problem; agrees with EURIM that 'there is insufficient IT resource to avoid serious risk in handling the Y2K and EMU at the same time'; urges the Government immediately to commission research and public information and evidence that these two huge IT projects can be tackled concurrently to a satisfactory conclusion; and strongly recommends that the implementation of all other legislation and EU directives with significant IT implications be postponed.

That this House is concerned that the technical implications of the introduction of the euro are being overlooked; notes that many experts as well as people such as Alan Greenspan, Chairman of the US Federal Reserve, and the CIA have expressed concern at the consequences of attempting to tackle the...

That this House notes with great concern the death sentence passed upon Ayub Masih on 27th April 1998 in Punjab district court for blasphemy against the prophet Mohammed under Pakistan Penal Code section 295C; further notes that the alleged source of the charges against Ayub Masih was the result of his quoting Salman Rushdie; notes with deep regret the tragic suicide on 6th May of Roman Catholic Bishop John Joseph of Faisalabad in protest at Ayub Masih's sentence and the continuing discrimination against Christians in Pakistan; and urges Her Majesty's Government to exercise their role as the EU President in making the strongest possible representation to the Pakistan Government calling for the repeal of the blasphemy law which was already resulted in a significant loss of life and liberty, and is itself in contravention of numerous international standards of religious liberty and freedom of speech.

That this House notes with great concern the death sentence passed upon Ayub Masih on 27th April 1998 in Punjab district court for blasphemy against the prophet Mohammed under Pakistan Penal Code section 295C; further notes that the alleged source of the charges against Ayub Masih was the result of...

That this House notes with great concern the death sentence passed upon Ayub Masih on 27th April 1998 in a Punjab district court for blasphemy against the prophet Mohammed under Pakistan Penal Code section 295C; further notes that the alleged source of the charges against Ayub Masih was the result of his quoting Salman Rushdie; and urges Her Majesty's Government to make the strongest possible representation to the Pakistan Government, seeking to uphold international standards of freedom of religion and freedom of speech.

That this House notes with great concern the death sentence passed upon Ayub Masih on 27th April 1998 in a Punjab district court for blasphemy against the prophet Mohammed under Pakistan Penal Code section 295C; further notes that the alleged source of the charges against Ayub Masih was the result...

That this House notes with concern the Russian Federation legislation, on freedom of conscience and on religious associations, passed in September 1997; further notes the crackdown that has already taken place against religious groups including Jews, Pentecostals, Roman Catholics and the Salvation Army, despite assurances given by President Yeltsin and officials that legislation was intended only to control and curtail the harmful activities of key cults and sects; fears that an even more restrictive crackdown will occur in 2000 when the period for re-registration expires; and urges the Government to raise this issue as a matter of priority at the forthcoming EU-Russia Summit and to press for this law, which contravenes the European Convention of Human Rights, Russia's commitments on accession to the Council of Europe and indeed its own constitution, to be annulled.

That this House notes with concern the Russian Federation legislation, on freedom of conscience and on religious associations, passed in September 1997; further notes the crackdown that has already taken place against religious groups including Jews, Pentecostals, Roman Catholics and the Salvation Army, despite assurances given by President Yeltsin and...

That this House now recognises the immense problems that will arise from the failure of the majority of computer systems to recognise the year 2000 unless action is taken without any further delay; notes with concern the DTI/Taskforce 2000 survey indicating that less than 10 per cent. of small and medium size firms have completed a full audit and 57 per cent. plan no budget until 1999, and the Cap Gemini survey indicating that '29 per cent, of GDP will be at risk of becoming 37 per cent. if the timetable slips by another three months'; commends the work of Taskforce 2000, but for whom the situation would be worse, and the Government on establishing Action 2000 to provide more advice and assistance to the private sector; nonetheless believes that the widespread ignorance and complacency that still exists can be further reduced by the passing of the Companies (Millennium Computer Compliance) Bill through both Houses; and urges the Government to enable it to proceed without obstruction following its Second Reading on 28th November.

That this House now recognises the immense problems that will arise from the failure of the majority of computer systems to recognise the year 2000 unless action is taken without any further delay; notes with concern the DTI/Taskforce 2000 survey indicating that less than 10 per cent. of small and...

That this House is appalled by the events of Thursday 6th February in the Christian village of Shanti Nagar in Pakistan which led to the destruction of 1500 homes and 13 churches; notes with great concern that the riots, provoked by the reported desecration of a copy of the Koran, were in fact part of a well planned attack by extremists on the Christian minority; urges the Government to investigate the plight of three Christian men who are being held because their names were allegedly found in the desecrated copy of the Koran; asks the Government to further investigate as a matter of urgency the whereabouts for 25 Christian women missing from a hostel and exert pressure upon the local authorities to take action to help the 1500 families made homeless in this attack; expresses sympathy for the families of the two Muslims killed during the riots; notes that the separate electoral system further divides the different religious communities; and urges the Government to impress upon the new Prime Minister of Pakistan that these terrible events provide even further evidence of the need to reform the blasphemy laws.

That this House is appalled by the events of Thursday 6th February in the Christian village of Shanti Nagar in Pakistan which led to the destruction of 1500 homes and 13 churches; notes with great concern that the riots, provoked by the reported desecration of a copy of the Koran,...

That this House notes the failure of United Nations peacekeeping forces to be deployed with sufficient swiftness to de-escalate conflict in Bosnia and in Rwanda; notes that the cost of the relief effort after the Rwandan conflict was $522 million, a figure vastly higher that the $115 million Secretary-General Boutros Boutros Ghali asked for to boost peacekeeping in Rwanda prior to the genocidal conflict that took place there in April, May and June of 1994; and urges the United Kingdom Government to give serious consideration to the creation of a small standing rapid deployment force for the United Nations, as envisaged by the Commission for Global Goverance and the Foreign Ministers of Canada, Denmark and Holland.

That this House notes the failure of United Nations peacekeeping forces to be deployed with sufficient swiftness to de-escalate conflict in Bosnia and in Rwanda; notes that the cost of the relief effort after the Rwandan conflict was $522 million, a figure vastly higher that the $115 million Secretary-General Boutros...

That this House notes that there is at present, no permanent and effective mechanism which allows those individuals violating international humanitarian law to be made accountable for their crimes; believes that the only way to maintain international peace is to focus the rule of law on individual lawbreakers and make international law more effective through the establishment of a permanent international criminal court; and strongly urges Her Majesty's Government to support the Preparatory Committee on the Establishment of an International Criminal Court created by the United Nations General Assembly in December 1995.

That this House notes that there is at present, no permanent and effective mechanism which allows those individuals violating international humanitarian law to be made accountable for their crimes; believes that the only way to maintain international peace is to focus the rule of law on individual lawbreakers and make...

That this House welcomes the recent award of the first International Prix Galien for medicine to Janssen-Cilag for its anti-psychotic drug risperidone (risperdal) as the most outstanding innovation in pharmaceutical research and development; notes that risperidone is used for the treatment of schizophrenia and other forms of severe mental illness and that it was chosen by an international jury of 12 independent medical experts; congratulates those scientists involved in the research and development and who were honoured for their innovative work; and welcomes the fact that the UK, renowned as a leading centre of medical and technical excellence in the pharmaceutical sector, was the first country to hold this prestigious event.

That this House welcomes the recent award of the first International Prix Galien for medicine to Janssen-Cilag for its anti-psychotic drug risperidone (risperdal) as the most outstanding innovation in pharmaceutical research and development; notes that risperidone is used for the treatment of schizophrenia and other forms of severe mental illness...

That this House is alarmed to learn that the European Commission has suppressed evidence showing a clear link between rigid labour markets and unemployment; questions as to what extent suppression of the truth occurs in the EC; notes that the success of the United Kingdom economy with flexible labour markets and low unemployment provides the clearest evidence yet; and calls upon the Commission to make public the report for the benefit of the millions of jobless in the European Union.

That this House is alarmed to learn that the European Commission has suppressed evidence showing a clear link between rigid labour markets and unemployment; questions as to what extent suppression of the truth occurs in the EC; notes that the success of the United Kingdom economy with flexible labour markets...

That this House welcomes the progress in the restoration of political stability in Turkey, and the confirmation of a new government led by Prime Minister Necmettin Erbakan; and urges Her Majesty's Government to do all in its power to maintain and strengthen links between Britain, the European Union and Turkey within the framework of a constructive dialogue.

That this House welcomes the progress in the restoration of political stability in Turkey, and the confirmation of a new government led by Prime Minister Necmettin Erbakan; and urges Her Majesty's Government to do all in its power to maintain and strengthen links between Britain, the European Union and Turkey...