That this House congratulates Age Concern Northumberland on its campaign to retain an extensive and sustainable network of local post offices; notes that due to the current banking crisis an opportunity exists to expand the Post Office Card Account into a full bank account to include the provision of standing orders and direct debits in order that account holders may pay utility bills by the cheapest possible means; and urges the Royal Bank of Scotland and HBOS to make their current accounts available at all post offices.

That this House congratulates Age Concern Northumberland on its campaign to retain an extensive and sustainable network of local post offices; notes that due to the current banking crisis an opportunity exists to expand the Post Office Card Account into a full bank account to include the provision of standing...

That this House is extremely concerned at the Post Office closure programme announced by Post Office Ltd; notes with great concern the three proposed Post Office closures of Francesville in Scotland Gate, College in Ashington and St Mary's Field in Morpeth; is further concerned that no account has been taken of the effects these closures would have on the most vulnerable people in those three communities who rely on the services provided by the Post Office and will have a considerable distance to travel to alternative post offices which are not always served by a regular bus service; further notes that the nearest post office to St Mary's Field is scheduled to close on 1st October and that a replacement site has not yet been found despite representations from the hon. Member for Wansbeck, local councils and others; and calls upon the Government urgently to intervene to halt the current closure programme.

That this House is extremely concerned at the Post Office closure programme announced by Post Office Ltd; notes with great concern the three proposed Post Office closures of Francesville in Scotland Gate, College in Ashington and St Mary's Field in Morpeth; is further concerned that no account has been taken...

That this House congratulates Dinamic Ceramics Northumbria on winning a prestigious Regional Arts Council Sponsored Business Award for its business and enterprise achievements; notes that Dinamic Ceramics, based in Ashington, is a social enterprise providing pre-employment training and direct employment for adults with learning disabilities, mental health and physical disabilities; further notes that Dinamic Ceramics is working closely with a local special educational needs school to introduce young students to the world of enterprise; and commends them on their achievements to date, as they are now being recognised nationally as a model of excellence and best practice.

That this House congratulates Dinamic Ceramics Northumbria on winning a prestigious Regional Arts Council Sponsored Business Award for its business and enterprise achievements; notes that Dinamic Ceramics, based in Ashington, is a social enterprise providing pre-employment training and direct employment for adults with learning disabilities, mental health and physical disabilities;...

That this House notes with great concern the actions of MacLellan International towards the staff employed as security guards on three sites at Government offices in the North East of England; is concerned at MacLellan's imposition of a wage rise of 13 pence per hour, giving security guards an hourly rate of ??5.23, much less than they were promised for undertaking extra training; further notes that as a result of MacLellan's refusal to correspond, meet or negotiate with the PCS Union, a ballot for industrial action provided a nine to one vote in favour; further notes that a 36 hour stoppage took place at three sites on 25th to 27th April 2006; condemns the statement of MacLellan that `they do not discuss pay with the Unions'; and calls upon the Government to refuse to let contracts to companies like MacLellan who do not recognise trade unions.

That this House notes with great concern the actions of MacLellan International towards the staff employed as security guards on three sites at Government offices in the North East of England; is concerned at MacLellan's imposition of a wage rise of 13 pence per hour, giving security guards an hourly...

That this House is deeply concerned at the threat to passenger rail services in the North East of England despite the enormous growth in rail patronage; requests that the House of Commons Transport Select Committee re-open its inquiry into railways in the North of England; calls upon the Government to prevent any station closures or service reductions until that committee reports; and believes that the Government should promote the expansion of regional railways, an example of which would be the re-introduction of passenger services on the Ashington, Blyth and Tyne line, which would reduce car use substantially and assist in the regeneration of a former mining area.

That this House is deeply concerned at the threat to passenger rail services in the North East of England despite the enormous growth in rail patronage; requests that the House of Commons Transport Select Committee re-open its inquiry into railways in the North of England; calls upon the Government to...

That this House calls upon the Government to press UK Coal not to abandon Ellington Colliery; condemns the actions of UK Coal which has deliberately set out to engineer a situation to enable it to close the colliery; notes that every miner at Ellington Colliery, many of whom have in excess of 30 years experience, understands that the water, which is currently flooding the face could be pumped dry within 48 hours enabling coal production to be restarted within 7 to 10 days; calls upon UK Coal to continue pumping and to drain the face to establish once and for all the source of the water; congratulates the workforce at Ellington Colliery who have demonstrated their ability to recover the colliery from previous geological problems; and calls for opportunity to be provided to recommence production and preserve the 340 much needed jobs.

That this House calls upon the Government to press UK Coal not to abandon Ellington Colliery; condemns the actions of UK Coal which has deliberately set out to engineer a situation to enable it to close the colliery; notes that every miner at Ellington Colliery, many of whom have in...

That this House notes with great concern the continuing and dramatic rise in energy prices throughout the UK; further notes that huge economic growth in China and India is placing enormous strains on global energy resources; believes that relying upon importing 80 per cent. of the nation's oil and gas could affect the UK's security of supply; calls upon the Government to prevent the sterilisation of indigenous coal reserves including those at Hatfield which could make a major contribution to the UK's energy needs; and further calls upon the Government to establish a clean energy centre in the Wansbeck constituency, bringing together clean coal technology and renewable energy in the form of wind power, wave power and advanced photovoltaics combining research and development and demonstration projects.

That this House notes with great concern the continuing and dramatic rise in energy prices throughout the UK; further notes that huge economic growth in China and India is placing enormous strains on global energy resources; believes that relying upon importing 80 per cent. of the nation's oil and gas...

That this House expresses its continued concerns about solicitors who charge clients in addition to the costs paid by the Department of Trade and Industry; and calls upon Her Majesty's Government to ensure that all solicitors sign an undertaking guaranteeing that they will not levy any charges from the compensation paid to miners, former miners or their families in respect of coal health claims, and that the Department of Trade and Industry does not make any payments to solicitors until such an undertaking has been signed.

That this House expresses its continued concerns about solicitors who charge clients in addition to the costs paid by the Department of Trade and Industry; and calls upon Her Majesty's Government to ensure that all solicitors sign an undertaking guaranteeing that they will not levy any charges from the compensation...

That this House congratulates Her Majesty's Government on its proposals to increase sentences for causing death by dangerous driving from 10 to 14 years and the sentence for causing serious injury by dangerous driving from two to five years; welcomes the proposed review into all aspects of dangerous driving and calls upon Her Majesty's Government to introduce a new offence of aggravated death by dangerous driving, which should carry a life sentence; believes that aggravating factors should include, but not necessarily be limited to, driving whilst disqualified, failing to stop for the police, driving whilst under the influence of drink and/or drugs, having no insurance, driving a stolen motor vehicle or driving a class of vehicle for which no licence has ever been held; and calls upon the Government to amend the Criminal Justice Bill as it makes its progress through both Houses tabling suitable amendments if necessary in the House of Lords, to ensure that the general public are protected from serial offenders.

That this House congratulates Her Majesty's Government on its proposals to increase sentences for causing death by dangerous driving from 10 to 14 years and the sentence for causing serious injury by dangerous driving from two to five years; welcomes the proposed review into all aspects of dangerous driving and...

That this House expresses its deepest sympathy to every family in the United Kingdom that has suffered the loss of loved ones killed by criminal motorists; notes with great concern that the maximum sentence for causing death by dangerous driving is only 10 years and that the maximum sentence for aggravated vehicle taking is only five years; believes these sentences do not reflect the heinous nature of the crimes; and calls upon the Home Secretary to urgently amend the Criminal Justice Bill, which is currently going through parliament, to enable charges of manslaughter to be brought against the perpetrators of such crimes; further believes that persons being carried in the offending vehicle could be held as accessories to the crime; and requests that when guilty persons are eventually released they are electronically monitored until they no longer pose a threat to the general public.

That this House expresses its deepest sympathy to every family in the United Kingdom that has suffered the loss of loved ones killed by criminal motorists; notes with great concern that the maximum sentence for causing death by dangerous driving is only 10 years and that the maximum sentence for...

That this House supports the campaign for Fairtrade and congratulates everyone who was involved organising events during the recent Fairtrade Fortnight; recognises the outstanding commitment shown by a group of local people in Morpeth, Northumberland, in their ongoing campaigns to highlight the need for Fairtrade and to have Morpeth become only the second town in the UK to achieve Fairtrade status; notes that this group, which was formed from representatives of the churches in Morpeth, have already generated considerable support for the campaign from local people, local traders and Morpeth Town Council; and hopes that Fairtrade status will be achieved for Morpeth and for other towns, villages and communities throughout the UK who are involved in similar campaigns.

That this House supports the campaign for Fairtrade and congratulates everyone who was involved organising events during the recent Fairtrade Fortnight; recognises the outstanding commitment shown by a group of local people in Morpeth, Northumberland, in their ongoing campaigns to highlight the need for Fairtrade and to have Morpeth become...

That this House deplores the decision of Consignia to close its Crown Post Office in Morpeth which is one of only two Crown offices in Northumberland; is deeply concerned that this decision has been made with undue haste and without regard for the views of the people of Morpeth, the staff or the CWE; recognises that the Post Office staff have provided an excellent service for many years; and calls upon Consignia to listen to the views of local people and retain the Crown Post Office in its current location.

That this House deplores the decision of Consignia to close its Crown Post Office in Morpeth which is one of only two Crown offices in Northumberland; is deeply concerned that this decision has been made with undue haste and without regard for the views of the people of Morpeth, the...

That this House congratulates AMEC Border Wind and their partners on the establishment of the United Kingdom's first offshore wind farm off the coast of the Wansbeck constituency in Northumberland; notes that this could be the first of many such offshore schemes around the coast of the UK; believes that this form of renewable energy could make a major contribution to the UK's commitment to reducing CO2 emissions; thanks the UK Government for its support of such schemes; and calls upon it to develop a clean energy centre in the North East, a region that prides itself on its innovation and engineering excellence, enabling the nation to benefit from the design and manufacture of wind turbines, photovoltaics, and other forms of renewable energy and creating thousands of jobs in the process.

That this House congratulates AMEC Border Wind and their partners on the establishment of the United Kingdom's first offshore wind farm off the coast of the Wansbeck constituency in Northumberland; notes that this could be the first of many such offshore schemes around the coast of the UK; believes that...

That this House condemns the decision by Barclays Bank plc to close its branch in Guide Post, Northumberland along with a further 26 branches in the North East from 7th April; notes with concern that the announcement to close these branches follows recent closures by Barclays in the North East, including the branch in Newbiggin by the Sea, Northumberland, which they closed in November 1999 despite a 3,000 name petition from local residents calling for it to remain open; deplores the fact that Barclays are prepared to take this course of action regardless of the difficulties and inconvenience it will cause for many of their loyal customers; calls upon Barclays to recognise that they have a responsibility to all their customers and to withdraw the threat of closure; and urges Her Majesty's Government to introduce legislation to prevent communities being left without banking facilities.

That this House condemns the decision by Barclays Bank plc to close its branch in Guide Post, Northumberland along with a further 26 branches in the North East from 7th April; notes with concern that the announcement to close these branches follows recent closures by Barclays in the North East,...

That this House deplores the decision by Barclays Bank to close its branch in Newbiggin by the Sea, Northumberland, a decision which will leave the local people without any banking facilities; believes that Barclays have a responsibility to all their customers, and they should understand that for the elderly, infirm and those without use of a private car, travelling several miles to neighbouring towns to access banking facilities is not a realistic or convenient option; notes that in and around Newbiggin by the Sea concerted efforts are being made by the district and county councils to increase tourism, attract business and industry, and develop sites for new housing and urges Barclays to recognise the potential that could exist as a result of these initiatives and to retain a branch in Newbiggin by the Sea; welcomes the commitment from Her Majesty's Government to tackle the problems of social and financial exclusion; and calls upon the Government to introduce urgent legislation which will control closures and ensure that towns and villages like Newbiggin by the Sea retain banking facilities for the benefit of local communities.

That this House deplores the decision by Barclays Bank to close its branch in Newbiggin by the Sea, Northumberland, a decision which will leave the local people without any banking facilities; believes that Barclays have a responsibility to all their customers, and they should understand that for the elderly, infirm...

That this House notes with grave concern the announcement from RJB Mining that they are to cease production at Ellington Colliery, the last deep coal mine in Northumberland; expresses further concern that the closure of Ellington Colliery will result in a loss of over 400 jobs in an area of south east Northumberland, where unemployment is already twice the national average; recognises that the workforce has consistently proved its ability to exceed production targets and produce a profit for RJB; believes that, given the opportunity, it could continue to produce coal for local markets for several years to come; calls upon RJB Mining to recognise the contribution Ellington Colliery has made to the considerable profits that they have enjoyed over recent years and urgently to reconsider their decision to cease production; recognises that one of the problems is the result of foreign coal being 'dumped' in the UK; and urges Her Majesty's Government to tackle this problem and also to provide any assistance it can to help to safeguard the jobs at Ellington Colliery.

That this House notes with grave concern the announcement from RJB Mining that they are to cease production at Ellington Colliery, the last deep coal mine in Northumberland; expresses further concern that the closure of Ellington Colliery will result in a loss of over 400 jobs in an area of...

That this House congratulates Bedlington Terriers Football Club from the Northern League on the marvellous achievement of reaching the final of the FA Vase which is to be held at Wembley Stadium on Sunday 16th May; notes that this success is the culmination of several years of hard work and commitment both on and off the pitch and that credit should go to the players, coaches, officials, management committee and supporters; believes that the club will receive tremendous support at the final from people living in the town of Bedlington and the surrounding district of Wansbeck; and wishes the club and supporters an enjoyable and successful day at Wembley.

That this House congratulates Bedlington Terriers Football Club from the Northern League on the marvellous achievement of reaching the final of the FA Vase which is to be held at Wembley Stadium on Sunday 16th May; notes that this success is the culmination of several years of hard work and...

That this House congratulates Bedlington Terriers Football Club from the Northern League on their excellent victory in the 1st Round of the FA Cup against Colchester from the Nationwide League 2nd division; recognises that the victory was achieved by players who displayed hard work, commitment, team spirit and played good quality football, further recognises that the achievement is the result of a tremendous amount of hard work both on and off the pitch and that credit should go the chairman, manager, officials, players and supporters; notes that the performance on the pitch and the good conduct of the supporters has further enhanced the good reputation of the club, and that they are a credit to the town of Bedlington and to the district of Wansbeck; and wishes Bedlington Terriers every success in the 2nd Round of the FA Cup.

That this House congratulates Bedlington Terriers Football Club from the Northern League on their excellent victory in the 1st Round of the FA Cup against Colchester from the Nationwide League 2nd division; recognises that the victory was achieved by players who displayed hard work, commitment, team spirit and played good...

That this House is deeply concerned about the reported misuse of the drug Rohypnol; is shocked by reports that hundreds of women each year are victims of sex attacks whilst under the influence of Rohypnol which is administered without their consent; is further concerned that information on how to misuse the drug is available on the Internet; and urges Her Majesty's Government to launch an investigation with a view to ending the misuse of Rohypnol and protecting individuals from becoming victims of its misuse, and to take action to ensure that those persons who have carried out sex attacks using Rohypnol are brought to justice.

That this House is deeply concerned about the reported misuse of the drug Rohypnol; is shocked by reports that hundreds of women each year are victims of sex attacks whilst under the influence of Rohypnol which is administered without their consent; is further concerned that information on how to misuse...