That this House recognises the enormous contribution to the war effort made by the Women of Steel who played such a valuable role in the Second World War carrying out crucial jobs in South Yorkshire's steel and engineering industries producing vital parts for planes, tanks and bullets; welcomes four representatives of the Women of Steel to Parliament on 13 January; notes they are to meet the Minister for Veterans and to visit No. 10 Downing Street; and hopes that as a result of the campaign led by The Star newspaper the Government will formally recognise their contribution at a national level.

That this House recognises the enormous contribution to the war effort made by the Women of Steel who played such a valuable role in the Second World War carrying out crucial jobs in South Yorkshire's steel and engineering industries producing vital parts for planes, tanks and bullets; welcomes four representatives...

That this House applauds the members of the European Parliament Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection for their decision to vote in favour of a complete ban on the commercial trade and importation into the EU of seal products; recognises the Canadian seal hunt is the largest slaughter of marine mammals on earth; believes that the nature of the hunt is inherently inhumane; deplores the 1.7 million harp seal pups killed since 2003; further notes that public opinion polls consistently show that over 70 per cent. of British and European citizens are opposed to commercial seal hunting; recognises the UK Government's efforts in urging both the European Commission and European Member states to carry forward the wishes of British and European citizens; and calls on all members of the European Parliament to vote for a ban on seal products in Europe.

That this House applauds the members of the European Parliament Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection for their decision to vote in favour of a complete ban on the commercial trade and importation into the EU of seal products; recognises the Canadian seal hunt is the largest slaughter of...

That this House expresses concern about the effect of high water bills on individuals and families during the current challenging economic climate; recognises the particular difficulties faced by vulnerable groups and those on low incomes; welcomes the All Party Parliamentary Water Group's April 2008 report into the future of the UK water sector which recommends, amongst other things, the phasing in of universal metering combined with a new tariff system; notes the potential for rising block tariffs to play a part, that further investigation into the potential of smart metres is needed and that the Vulnerable Groups Regulations should be updated and extended; and calls on the Government to consider the role that the tax and benefits system could play more generally in helping customers struggling to pay their water bills, as part of the current review into metering and charging and to ensure that any residual problems which cannot be addressed by appropriate tariffs can also be tackled to ensure that child and pensioner poverty is fully addressed.

That this House expresses concern about the effect of high water bills on individuals and families during the current challenging economic climate; recognises the particular difficulties faced by vulnerable groups and those on low incomes; welcomes the All Party Parliamentary Water Group's April 2008 report into the future of the...

That this House notes with grave concern the illegal trade in Asian big cat parts and derivatives and the diminishing population of big cats; further notes that tiger farming in China represents a significant threat to the remaining wild populations by stimulating demand; welcomes the measures taken by the Indian government in recognising the importance of intelligence-led law enforcement in tackling wildlife crime through the foundation of the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau; calls for the Government to convey its gravest concerns to the Chinese government about its role as the major consumer of tiger parts and to urge China to complement efforts in India by closing its tiger farms and consolidating and destroying all stockpiles of tiger parts and to maintain and enforce its 1993 State Council Order banning the use of tiger products; recognises the negative impact of industrial encroachment on tiger forests; and urges the Government to develop enhanced regulations for UK-based companies and their subsidiaries operating in tiger range states to ensure their actions do not harm tigers or their habitat.

That this House notes with grave concern the illegal trade in Asian big cat parts and derivatives and the diminishing population of big cats; further notes that tiger farming in China represents a significant threat to the remaining wild populations by stimulating demand; welcomes the measures taken by the Indian...

That this House notes the important findings of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee report on flooding, the interim Pitt Review report, and the report of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Water, which consider the future of the UK water sector; further notes that the UK's flood risk will almost certainly worsen with the potential for flood damage to increase in real terms by between two and 20 times in the next 60 to 70 years, causing damage to homes, communities and key infrastructure; believes that there are real concerns about the current ability of many communities to withstand future incidences of flooding; further notes the lack of clarity around roles and responsibilities for dealing with problems of flooding and the protection of key infrastructure; further notes the UK is considerably behind in its development of sustainable drainage systems compared to other countries, which could play a considerable part in significantly reducing the risks of flooding; calls upon the Government, through its implementation of the Water Strategy and the recommendations of the APPG report, to ensure that there is a clear allocation of responsibilities at local level for assessing the possible impact of severe weather and for triggering the appropriate multi-agency responses to severe flooding incidents, and to look to alleviate the current barriers to the development of sustainable urban drainage systems; and hopes that the final report of the Pitt Review will lead the way to substantially improved flood management.

That this House notes the important findings of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee report on flooding, the interim Pitt Review report, and the report of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Water, which consider the future of the UK water sector; further notes that the UK's...

That this House welcomes the Government's decision to accept an amendment to the Climate Change Bill making it mandatory for large companies to report on their greenhouse gas emissions in their annual business review; congratulates the Government on recognising the need to ensure a level playing field amongst businesses on the important issue of climate change; notes that while 70 per cent. of FTSE350 companies responded to the most recent carbon disclosure project survey about their carbon emissions, less than half provided quantitative data that could be compared with other companies; recognises that climate change is a critical issue facing the world with profound implications for both businesses and investors; and urges the Government to set out a timetable for implementing the powers now in the Bill to set a clear standard for business reporting of greenhouse gas emissions.

That this House welcomes the Government's decision to accept an amendment to the Climate Change Bill making it mandatory for large companies to report on their greenhouse gas emissions in their annual business review; congratulates the Government on recognising the need to ensure a level playing field amongst businesses on...

That this House notes that recent advances in the quality and look of fake fur make it difficult for many consumers to tell the difference between items made with fake fur and those made with real fur; further notes that there is now evidence that consumers are confused and some may be purchasing items made or trimmed with real fur believing the fur to be fake; further notes that the Trade Descriptions (Sealskin Goods) (Information) Order 1980 requires that all products made from or containing sealskins carry a label; further notes that a new law came into force in November 2007 in New York State requiring all real fur and fur-trimmed clothing to carry a label saying real fur; and calls upon the Government to introduce, as soon as possible and as a measure to protect consumers, a labelling order requiring all other real fur on sale to carry a label that clearly states that the item is made using real animal fur.

That this House notes that recent advances in the quality and look of fake fur make it difficult for many consumers to tell the difference between items made with fake fur and those made with real fur; further notes that there is now evidence that consumers are confused and some...

That this House congratulates Belgium and the Netherlands for banning the trade in seal products; welcomes these bans as a step towards an EU-wide ban; is disappointed at the decision of the Canadian government to pursue consultations at the World Trade Organisation against these bans; believes these bans are wholly justified due to the public outrage caused by the cruel killing methods in seal hunts; notes evidence in the scientific opinion of the European Food Safety Authority released in December 2007 on the Animal Welfare Aspects of Killing and Skinning Seals that, in practice, effective killing does not always occur, that during Canada's commercial seal hunt, animals suffer pain and distress and that sealers often do not comply with regulations; and urges the Government to follow the example of Belgium and the Netherlands and ban the trade in seal products in the UK.

That this House congratulates Belgium and the Netherlands for banning the trade in seal products; welcomes these bans as a step towards an EU-wide ban; is disappointed at the decision of the Canadian government to pursue consultations at the World Trade Organisation against these bans; believes these bans are wholly...

That this House recognises that climate change is one of the most critical issues that businesses face today; believes that a common reporting standard on carbon emissions would allow meaningful and consistent comparison by investors and consumers; notes the Aldersgate Group's Carbon Costs report which stated that, despite improvements in the number of companies disclosing information on greenhouse gases, current reporting levels are still too low and what is disclosed is not comparable because of the use of different calculation methods; believes that the lack of transparency obscures the true contribution of corporate UK and undermines the comparative advantage that should accrue to companies with good carbon reporting and control; and urges the Government to introduce enabling powers in the Climate Change Bill for mandatory carbon reporting standards for all companies listed on the UK stock markets which will allow consumers and investors to make low carbon choices and comparisons.

That this House recognises that climate change is one of the most critical issues that businesses face today; believes that a common reporting standard on carbon emissions would allow meaningful and consistent comparison by investors and consumers; notes the Aldersgate Group's Carbon Costs report which stated that, despite improvements in...

That this House condemns the imminent slaughter under the guise of science of 50 endangered humpback whales, as well as 935 minke whales and 50 endangered fin whales, by Japanese whalers in the internationally designated Southern Ocean whale sanctuary; expresses deep concern that the humpbacks to be targeted by Japan form part of an endangered population of whales that is vitally important for whale watching industries in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, countries which treasure these whales alive, both culturally and economically; notes that a Resolution was adopted at this year's International Whaling Commission meeting in Anchorage which strongly criticised Japan's scientific whaling, exposing it as a sham designed to disguise commercial whaling; further notes that whaling in any form is inherently cruel and that there is no humane way to kill whales; further notes that these whales can be studied using non-lethal research methods; and calls on the Government to unequivocally condemn Japan's cruel, unnecessary and unlawful whaling activities and engage in increased diplomatic action at the highest levels to bring an end to commercial and scientific whaling.

That this House condemns the imminent slaughter under the guise of science of 50 endangered humpback whales, as well as 935 minke whales and 50 endangered fin whales, by Japanese whalers in the internationally designated Southern Ocean whale sanctuary; expresses deep concern that the humpbacks to be targeted by Japan...

That this House applauds the Marine Conservation Society for organising the Sustainable Supermarket League Table, designed to assist consumers in making informed choices about the seafood they buy and whether it comes from sustainably managed sources; congratulates Waitrose and Marks and Spencer, who share joint place at the top of the league table; urges other retailers to follow their strong commitment to sustainable and responsible fish sourcing; gives particular praise to the commendable stance taken by Marks and Spencer in only sourcing seafood from companies that are involved neither in the cruel and unnecessary commercial seal hunt in Canada nor the unjustified and nonsensical Icelandic whale hunt, which takes place in defiance of the International Whaling Commission; recognises the support the Marks and Spencer position has from British consumers who are overwhelmingly opposed to these hunts; calls on the UK Government now to prohibit the import of all seal products into the UK; and urges all British retailers to follow Marks and Spencer's policy in relation to seafood sourcing.

That this House applauds the Marine Conservation Society for organising the Sustainable Supermarket League Table, designed to assist consumers in making informed choices about the seafood they buy and whether it comes from sustainably managed sources; congratulates Waitrose and Marks and Spencer, who share joint place at the top of...

That this House congratulates the Prime Minister on making climate change a priority for the UK Government; believes that, for this issue to transcend short-term political cycles, policies must be introduced which both include and, more importantly, engage every individual in tackling global warming and assuming some personal responsibility for their emissions; and notes that, in practice, a system of personal carbon trading would provide the most equitable, efficient and effective way of encouraging this development, and would create the necessary relationship between individual and global action.

That this House congratulates the Prime Minister on making climate change a priority for the UK Government; believes that, for this issue to transcend short-term political cycles, policies must be introduced which both include and, more importantly, engage every individual in tackling global warming and assuming some personal responsibility for...

That this House welcomes the UK Government's policy to press the European Commission to ban the import of harp and hooded seal products into the EU; notes that a Written Declaration signed by a record number of Members of the European Parliament called for the European Commission to take action immediately to ban seal imports; is concerned therefore that the European Commission has not taken the urgent action called for; believes that the German Presidency of the EU presents a good opportunity to take such action; further notes the Council of Europe Recommendation that asks the parliaments of its member states to ban the import of seal products in order to achieve the ending by Canada of the unsustainable and cruel hunt; recognises that a recent poll shows that 80 per cent. of people in the UK want seal imports to be banned; and urges the UK Government to show international leadership by pressing the European Commission to ban seal imports as soon as possible and by calling for an EU moratorium on the import of seal products and to consider a moratorium at national level to prohibit the import of all seal products into the UK until EU-wide measures are in place.

That this House welcomes the UK Government's policy to press the European Commission to ban the import of harp and hooded seal products into the EU; notes that a Written Declaration signed by a record number of Members of the European Parliament called for the European Commission to take action...

That this House welcomes the letter from the Prime Minister to the RSPB and RSPCA confirming that the UK intends to press other member states and the European Commission to extend indefinitely the ban on the commercial importation of wild-caught birds; calls for any exceptions to be kept to a minimum for conservation purposes only and a robust and effective system to identify captive-bred species; and congratulates the RSPB and RSPCA for their effective campaign and the Government on giving a lead on a measure that will address the problems of welfare, conservation and disease risk associated with this trade.

That this House welcomes the letter from the Prime Minister to the RSPB and RSPCA confirming that the UK intends to press other member states and the European Commission to extend indefinitely the ban on the commercial importation of wild-caught birds; calls for any exceptions to be kept to a...

That this House welcomes the report by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) which highlights the very serious risks to public health created by the trade in wild-caught birds; recognises the risk the trade creates of introducing diseases such as avian influenza and Newcastle disease into the European Union; notes that the EU is the largest current importer of wild-caught birds in the world; condemns the cruelty of capture and transit of wild birds that cause a mortality rate of up to 70 per cent. before the birds even reach quarantine; and calls on the Government to support actively the case for a permanent ban on the trade when the temporary ban comes to review before its expiry on 31st December 2006.

That this House welcomes the report by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) which highlights the very serious risks to public health created by the trade in wild-caught birds; recognises the risk the trade creates of introducing diseases such as avian influenza and Newcastle disease into the European Union; notes...

That this House congratulates the work that The Wildlife Trusts and others are doing to develop landscape scale conservation work around the UK; notes that the Stern Review highlighted the harmful impact that climate change will have on biodiversity and the challenges wildlife will face in migrating through highly damaged and fragmented landscapes; acknowledges that a landscape scale approach is required so that the environment can better accommodate wildlife movement, adapt to change and provide ecological services such as flood prevention and pollution reduction; and calls on the Government to facilitate and promote this approach through a range of bodies including local authorities, regional government, statutory bodies, private organisations and individuals.

That this House congratulates the work that The Wildlife Trusts and others are doing to develop landscape scale conservation work around the UK; notes that the Stern Review highlighted the harmful impact that climate change will have on biodiversity and the challenges wildlife will face in migrating through highly damaged...

That this House welcomes the publication of visionary blueprint for water by a wide-ranging coalition of organisations representing more than six million people, and comprising the Anglers' Conservation Association, the Association of Rivers Trusts, the Fisheries and Angling Conservation Trust, the National Trust, the RSPB, the Salmon and Trout Association, Waterwise, the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, The Wildlife Trusts and WWF; notes that this vision includes measures to ensure that, by 2015, less water is wasted, rivers are kept flowing and wetlands wet, water is fairly priced, polluters pay, pollutants do not contaminate water, sewage is kept out of homes and rivers and off beaches, water-friendly farming is supported, drainage from roads and buildings is cleaned up, rivers are restored from their sources to the sea, and water is retained in floodplains and wetlands; believes that, if met, the challenges and targets within this blueprint will be key factors in helping the Government to implement the EC Water Framework Directive successfully in England and Wales; welcomes the blueprint's broad vision for water policy; and calls on the Government to take action to implement the programme for water management it sets out.

That this House welcomes the publication of visionary blueprint for water by a wide-ranging coalition of organisations representing more than six million people, and comprising the Anglers' Conservation Association, the Association of Rivers Trusts, the Fisheries and Angling Conservation Trust, the National Trust, the RSPB, the Salmon and Trout Association,...

That this House believes that climate change is the most serious long-term threat requiring co-ordinated action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at global, European and domestic levels; welcomes the Government's commitment to introduce a climate change bill in this session to strengthen the UK's efforts to tackle this crucial issue, putting into legislation a long-term target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and establishing a framework and new enabling powers for achieving this; welcomes consideration of credible and effective targets, annual reporting and an independent body, the Carbon Committee, to work with the Government to reduce emissions as part of a comprehensive programme including carbon markets, regulation, planning, incentives and fiscal measures which will lead to carbon budgeting and a low carbon economy; and looks forward to an open and inclusive debate on the Government's detailed proposals in early 2007 based on effective outcomes rather than political gestures.

That this House believes that climate change is the most serious long-term threat requiring co-ordinated action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at global, European and domestic levels; welcomes the Government's commitment to introduce a climate change bill in this session to strengthen the UK's efforts to tackle this crucial issue,...

That this House notes with grave concern the Canadian seal hunt; deplores the killing of over 325,000 seals, mostly under three months old, for their fur during last season alone; notes the growing international condemnation of the Canadian seal slaughter and is saddened by the damage the slaughter is doing to Canada's international reputation; congratulates the German Parliament on the recent unanimous vote to ban the import of seal products, eliminating the German market from the commercial seal trade in line with Belgium, Italy, Croatia, Mexico and the United States, all of whom have banned the import of seal products; further notes that a record 425 MEPs supported Written Declaration 0038/2006, calling on the European Commission to draft a regulation to ban the import, export and sale of all harp and hooded seal products within the EU; and calls on the Government to prohibit the import of all seal products into the United Kingdom and to convey its support for the European initiatives.

That this House notes with grave concern the Canadian seal hunt; deplores the killing of over 325,000 seals, mostly under three months old, for their fur during last season alone; notes the growing international condemnation of the Canadian seal slaughter and is saddened by the damage the slaughter is doing...

That this House deplores the fact that over 500,000 lambs and sheep have been exported for slaughter abroad since the resumption of the live export trade on 5th July 1996; is concerned that a significant number of these animals have been sent to Spain, Italy and Greece, countries where slaughter methods can be extremely cruel; notes that a recent paper by University of Bristol scientists concludes that transport is a stressful process for sheep and that 'from a welfare point of view, transport distances and times should be kept to the minimum' and adds that long journeys can result in an increased incidence of disease and mortality; believes that a trade which regularly imposes suffering on animals is not only bad for animal welfare but also for the rural economy and accordingly that the export of live animals for slaughter abroad should be brought to an end and replaced by carcass exports and an added value meat trade; and calls on Her Majesty's Government to take the lead in persuading EU partners to replace long distance live transport throughout the EU with a trade in meat.

That this House deplores the fact that over 500,000 lambs and sheep have been exported for slaughter abroad since the resumption of the live export trade on 5th July 1996; is concerned that a significant number of these animals have been sent to Spain, Italy and Greece, countries where slaughter...