That this House notes the Labour Party's policy on a minimum wage, National Insurance contributions and personal taxation; and calls upon the Right honourable Member for Sedgefield to confirm that he has always fully complied with his own party's policy in the remuneration of his own home helps and nannies.

That this House notes the Labour Party's policy on a minimum wage, National Insurance contributions and personal taxation; and calls upon the Right honourable Member for Sedgefield to confirm that he has always fully complied with his own party's policy in the remuneration of his own home helps and nannies.

That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, praying that the Gas (Extent of Domestic Supply Licences) Order 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 826), dated 14th March 1997, a copy of which was laid before this House on 17th March, be annulled.

That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, praying that the Gas (Extent of Domestic Supply Licences) Order 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 826), dated 14th March 1997, a copy of which was laid before this House on 17th March, be annulled.

That this House notes the successful campaign led by the Conservative honourable Members for Kent, and the Fire Brigades Union, the Conservative county councillors and the general public, well publicised by the Kent local press and radio, to reverse the severe and dangerous cuts to the Fire Service proposed by the Labour-Liberal Democrat coalition in control of Kent County Council; condemns that coalition for playing politics with peoples' lives and fears; and looks forward to the restoration of sound and responsible administration at Kent County Council with the support of the people of Kent from 1st May.

That this House notes the successful campaign led by the Conservative honourable Members for Kent, and the Fire Brigades Union, the Conservative county councillors and the general public, well publicised by the Kent local press and radio, to reverse the severe and dangerous cuts to the Fire Service proposed by...

That this House condemns the behaviour of Labour councillors on Doncaster Metroplitan Borough Council who have, according to the District Auditor, taken extravagant lunches, free trips and gifts from 'inappropriate sources'; notes that the District Auditor is reported as warning the Council at a recent meeting that he 'would be surprised if the amount of alcohol drunk at these lunches would allow those (Labour councillors) attending to stand up, let alone work'; finds that such behaviour is typical of New Labour which is contemptuous of the public and democratic accountability; fully supports Clare Gledhill, Conservative Prospective Parliamentary Candidate in Don Valley, in her campaign to stop the Labour junketing and corrupt practices; calls upon the Leader of the Opposition to condemn yet another corrupt section of his Party; demands that the Labour Party should cancel the selection of a Parliamentary candidate in Don Valley as a number of the prospective candidates are involved in the corrupt and drunken behaviour; and further requires that the Leader of the Opposition should apologise personally to the Doncaster Council taxpayers for the Labour Party's failures in Doncaster.

That this House condemns the behaviour of Labour councillors on Doncaster Metroplitan Borough Council who have, according to the District Auditor, taken extravagant lunches, free trips and gifts from 'inappropriate sources'; notes that the District Auditor is reported as warning the Council at a recent meeting that he 'would be...

That this House draws attention to the Government's fraudulent unemployment figures which ignore the latest Labourforce Survey which shows unemployment about 302,000 higher than the Government's claimant count and further ignores the findings of the Employment Policy Institute that the number of jobless people who say that they want a job is well over four million, and not the 1.8 million registered by the Government's deliberately flawed claimant count; and calls on the Government to come clean on the true level of unemployment and the job insecurity and human sufdfering that unemployment causes in pre-election Britain.

That this House draws attention to the Government's fraudulent unemployment figures which ignore the latest Labourforce Survey which shows unemployment about 302,000 higher than the Government's claimant count and further ignores the findings of the Employment Policy Institute that the number of jobless people who say that they want a...

That this House notes the intention of the Secretary of State for Defence to visit the town of Deal on Friday 14th February; calls upon him to apologise to the people of that town for the closure of the Royal Marines Music School; draws to his attention the words of Paul Watkins, the prospective Conservative candidate for Barnsley West; former Tory leader of Dover Council and resident of Deal, who stated that 'the IRA couldn't put the school out of business but the Government has managed it'; reminds him that the then Prime Minister, Baroness Thatcher, said 'If the school closed, the heart will be torn out of Deal'; and calls upon the honourable Member for Dover to stand by his comments at the time and boycott that visit unless and until such an apology is forthcoming.

That this House notes the intention of the Secretary of State for Defence to visit the town of Deal on Friday 14th February; calls upon him to apologise to the people of that town for the closure of the Royal Marines Music School; draws to his attention the words of...

That this House believes there is not justification for spending ??60 million on constructing a new royal yacht and ??5 million a year on running it; further believes that if such a vessel is good for promoting business then business should pay for it rather than taxpayers; and notes that at a time when public expenditure is being squeezed and pensioners are being denied meals-on-wheels the provision of a floating palace for the use of the over privileged is totally unacceptable.

That this House believes there is not justification for spending ??60 million on constructing a new royal yacht and ??5 million a year on running it; further believes that if such a vessel is good for promoting business then business should pay for it rather than taxpayers; and notes that...

That this House is amazed at both the absurdity of the designs and the extent of the media coverage of the recent haute couture collections; asks why these ridiculous creations, due only to be worn by a few individuals whose wealth exceeds their brain cell count and their taste, should be treated so seriously and given such extensive publicity on television and in the newspapers; and believes that, in a world where countless millions are living in poverty, it is vulgar and obscene that so much significance should be attached to overpriced and grotesque flights of fancy for hanging on the limbs of the super-rich and that in future these clothing circuses should be treated with contempt.

That this House is amazed at both the absurdity of the designs and the extent of the media coverage of the recent haute couture collections; asks why these ridiculous creations, due only to be worn by a few individuals whose wealth exceeds their brain cell count and their taste, should...

That this House notes the remarks made by the Leader of the Opposition reported in the Observer newspaper of 8th December in which he denounces members of the Scottish media in abusive terms; believes that this objectionable remark is a classic example of shooting the messenger whilst ignoring the message; notes with interest the comments of the 'senior BBC jounalist' who, in response to the Right honourable Gentleman's remarks stated 'Blair must be a very sensitive soul. A man who wants to run the country should know that blaming the media is a very dangerous game'; observes that the expressed attitude and tone of the Right honourable Member for Sedgefield is increasingly reminiscent of that of remarks made by Baroness Thatcher when Prime Minister; notes that the responses of focus groups of Scottish floating voters, as described in a survey prepared for the Labour Party in September by System Three, reveal that the distaste once displayed towards Baroness Thatcher resembles the 'lack of appeal' to the Scottish electorate of the Right honourable Member for Sedgefield, described in the survey as 'a bit Toryish'; and notes that New Labour's attitude to Scotland is encapsulated in the observations of one respondent that, 'They don't really care. They're not really interested. That's right. That'll do. It's only Scotland.'.

That this House notes the remarks made by the Leader of the Opposition reported in the Observer newspaper of 8th December in which he denounces members of the Scottish media in abusive terms; believes that this objectionable remark is a classic example of shooting the messenger whilst ignoring the message;...

That this House notes the very considerable difficulties being encountered by honourable Members in obtaining statistical information central in considering issues of convergence towards a single currency; notes that it has not been possible so far to obtain comparable statistical information on departmental expenditure as a percentage of GDP across the member countries of the European Union for 1994 and later years and for many countries for a number of years prior to 1994; notes that this information is not available to the statistical section of the Library, nor to the office of the European Commission in London, nor to Eurostat; notes with surprise and deep concern that even individual departments, including the Department of Social Security in response to written Parliamentary questions, do not have this most basic of information available to them or if they have it they are not prepared to make it available publicly; questions how it can be possible for British ministers and officials to begin to formulate policy on issues of convergence without the most basic information on levels and patterns of expenditure in government departments in other member states; questions how in these conditions it is possible to conduct anything like an informed debate on convergence towards a single currency without accurate and up-to-date statistical information; and believes that this culture of insularity is deeply unhealthy and contributes to a level of public debate on European issues in Britain which is conducted largely on the basis of ignorance and zenophobia.

That this House notes the very considerable difficulties being encountered by honourable Members in obtaining statistical information central in considering issues of convergence towards a single currency; notes that it has not been possible so far to obtain comparable statistical information on departmental expenditure as a percentage of GDP across...

That this House notes the view of John Stafford, a member of the Conservative National Union Executive, that the membership of the Conservative Party is declining at a rate of approximately 60,000 each year; notes that during the party conference this year the Conservative Party's own Charter Movement accused Conservative Central Office of not telling the truth about its membership figures, claiming the real membership figure was less than 300,000; further notes that many individual constituency associations have fewer than 100 members; expresses concern that the Minister without Portfolio continues to claim in the face of this overwhelming evidence that the Conservative Party's membership is rising; and looks forward to the day when he and the Prime Minister will be released from the burdens of office so that they may spend more time addressing the terminal decline of the Conservative Party.

That this House notes the view of John Stafford, a member of the Conservative National Union Executive, that the membership of the Conservative Party is declining at a rate of approximately 60,000 each year; notes that during the party conference this year the Conservative Party's own Charter Movement accused Conservative...

That this House notes that on Wednesday 31st January the honourable Member for Warley West sought the leave of the House to bring in a Bill to regulate the funding of political parties and providing for the disclosure of the source of donations, prohibiting donations from overseas sources and requiring the publication of accounts; further notes that the honourable Member for Banff and Buchan along with the honourable Member for Moray supported the motion in the ensuing division; requires clarification and explanation of the decision of the Scottish National party to open fund raising offices in Canada and the United States of America; and calls for an early debate on the funding of political parties.

That this House notes that on Wednesday 31st January the honourable Member for Warley West sought the leave of the House to bring in a Bill to regulate the funding of political parties and providing for the disclosure of the source of donations, prohibiting donations from overseas sources and requiring...

That this House congratulates Damon Hill on his skill and determination in winning the 1996 World Driver's Championship, and the Williams team on winning the Formula One Constructors' Championship; acknowledges also the achievement of a British-based team in the World Rally Championship and the contribution made to manufacturing innovation in the United Kingdom by the highly competitive British Motorsport engineering industry, which employs skilled and creative engineers, invests heavily in research and development and accounts for exports of up to ??1 billion; and recognises that Government has a role to play in supporting this industry by improving the technical skills of the population as a whole so as to provide an adequate supply of engineers for the industry to draw on, by reducing the entry costs for new, high-tech businesses through the provision of facilities such as science and engineering parks and by setting standards for road vehicles which encourage the transfer of pioneering technology in areas such as fuel efficiency, aerodynamics and safety.

That this House congratulates Damon Hill on his skill and determination in winning the 1996 World Driver's Championship, and the Williams team on winning the Formula One Constructors' Championship; acknowledges also the achievement of a British-based team in the World Rally Championship and the contribution made to manufacturing innovation in...

That this House is concerned by the decline in the number of seaside piers from around one hundred to nearer half that figure today and at the threat to these much loved parts of the British seaside, all built in the Victorian and Edwardianeras, from high maintenance costs and weather damage; and hopes that Her Majesty's Government and the National Lottery wi ll seize the opportunity given them by the National Year of the Pier to provide and encourage both the financial support necessary to ensure the renovations and improvement of Britain's proud piers so that this precious and enjoyable legacy can be handed on for the enjoyment of future generations.

That this House is concerned by the decline in the number of seaside piers from around one hundred to nearer half that figure today and at the threat to these much loved parts of the British seaside, all built in the Victorian and Edwardianeras, from high maintenance costs and weather...

That this House notes with disgust the report that Sir Desmond Pitcher and other board members of United Utilities have shared a bonus of ??462,400 whilst destroying 2,500 jobs in the once public utilities; believes that such greed is undermining British businesses and creating unhealthy divisions in society; and calls on United Utilities to think again and to consider investing the proposed bonuses and salary increases to increase services to consumers and preserve jobs for employees.

That this House notes with disgust the report that Sir Desmond Pitcher and other board members of United Utilities have shared a bonus of ??462,400 whilst destroying 2,500 jobs in the once public utilities; believes that such greed is undermining British businesses and creating unhealthy divisions in society; and calls...

That this House deplores the frenzy of jingoistic, notably anti-German, nonsense in the tabloid press; and contrasts the hooligan atmosphere of some political and much press comment in recent weeks with the sporting enthusiasm of football fans who set a much better example of English fair-play than many an editor.

That this House deplores the frenzy of jingoistic, notably anti-German, nonsense in the tabloid press; and contrasts the hooligan atmosphere of some political and much press comment in recent weeks with the sporting enthusiasm of football fans who set a much better example of English fair-play than many an editor.

That this House applauds the courage and determination of Aung San Suu Kyi in keeping alive the hope of democracy in Burma; and calls upon the British government publicly to dissuade British companies from trading with Burma until the military regime in that country restores full civil rights to its people.

That this House applauds the courage and determination of Aung San Suu Kyi in keeping alive the hope of democracy in Burma; and calls upon the British government publicly to dissuade British companies from trading with Burma until the military regime in that country restores full civil rights to its...

That this House congratulates the Glasgow Evening Times on its very worthy campaign, Give Our Kids a Job; notes that its main aim is to help unemployed young people find work; wishes it every success in persuading employers to commit themselves to the scheme and to give young people a chance of a job and praises those employers already participating; and hopes that as many youngsters as possible will be given the chance to show their abilities and prove that they can have a better and brighter future if given the opportunity.

That this House congratulates the Glasgow Evening Times on its very worthy campaign, Give Our Kids a Job; notes that its main aim is to help unemployed young people find work; wishes it every success in persuading employers to commit themselves to the scheme and to give young people a...

That this House notes the remarks of Judge Sir Maurice Drake regarding the conduct of Mr Alastair Campbell, Press Secretary to the Right honourable Member of Sedgefield, that 'He (Campbell) did not impress me as a witness in whom I could feel 100 per cent. confidence' and that as a witness Mr Campbell had not been 'wholly convincing or satisfactory' and had been 'less than completely open and frank'; further notes recent press revelations that Mr Campbell's previous occupations had included periods as a soft porn writer and a gigolo operating in the South of France; and therefore urges the Right honourable Member for Sedgefield to act on the advice of his Labour Party colleague the honourable Member for Brent East who said in The Times newspaper on 3rd May 'I would expect Tony Blair to dismiss Mr Campbell without delay...'.

That this House notes the remarks of Judge Sir Maurice Drake regarding the conduct of Mr Alastair Campbell, Press Secretary to the Right honourable Member of Sedgefield, that 'He (Campbell) did not impress me as a witness in whom I could feel 100 per cent. confidence' and that as a...

That this House is concerned that Barclays Bank has recently spent ??6,000 of customers' and shareholders' funds on an honourable Member's visit to Japan, Korea, Hong Kong and Singapore, which according to the honourable Member for Hartlepool was for the purpose of 'beating the drum for investment in Hartlepool'; calls on Barclays Bank to justify the expenditure to its customers and shareholders in Dover and Deal; and further calls on Barclays Bank to sponsor a similar trip by an officer of Dover District Council for the purpose of beating the drum for investment in Dover and Deal.

That this House is concerned that Barclays Bank has recently spent ??6,000 of customers' and shareholders' funds on an honourable Member's visit to Japan, Korea, Hong Kong and Singapore, which according to the honourable Member for Hartlepool was for the purpose of 'beating the drum for investment in Hartlepool'; calls...