That this House notes with concern that, almost two years after the diamond industry agreed to a system of self-regulation to prevent the trade in diamonds from regions of conflict, many retailers in the UK are still failing to provide consumers wih assurances that the diamonds they sell are not mined in conflict zones where profits have been used to arm militias that have killed, raped and mutilated millions of people; recognises that it is now time to move beyond the voluntary approach; and calls on the Government to inspect companies to ensure that the industry is implementing the regulations it has committed itself to and to report back to Parliament and the relevant international monitoring committee in 2005.

That this House notes with concern that, almost two years after the diamond industry agreed to a system of self-regulation to prevent the trade in diamonds from regions of conflict, many retailers in the UK are still failing to provide consumers wih assurances that the diamonds they sell are not...

That this House welcomes the United Kingdom Government's commitment to the Millennium Development Goals; notes with concern that the current debt crisis, trade injustice and shortcomings of aid further exacerbate poverty, inequality, the HIV/AIDS crisis and environmental degradation across the developing world; notes that if the international community is to make poverty history then there needs to be further co-ordinated political action by the world's governments, including the United Kingdom, aimed at trade justice, dropping the debt and providing more and better aid; and calls on the United Kingdom Government to lead the way for change and use its influence when it holds the presidency of the G8 and chairs the EU to make poverty history in 2005.

That this House welcomes the United Kingdom Government's commitment to the Millennium Development Goals; notes with concern that the current debt crisis, trade injustice and shortcomings of aid further exacerbate poverty, inequality, the HIV/AIDS crisis and environmental degradation across the developing world; notes that if the international community is to...

That this House notes the publication of Stepping Stones, the annual employment survey commissioned by the Royal College of Nursing, which shows that nurses who are forced to work on a rotating pattern of day and night shifts are more likely than other nurses to want to leave the NHS; further notes that greater choice and control over working hours is a major factor in nurses remaining in the NHS, and that while 80 per cent. of nurses working flexi-time are satisfied with their shift patterns, those working internal rotation are the most unhappy; and joins the Royal College of Nursing in calling for employers, in partnership with staff, to urgently review arrangements for determining shift patterns, to avoid compulsory shift systems, and to make flexible working patterns available to all staff.

That this House notes the publication of Stepping Stones, the annual employment survey commissioned by the Royal College of Nursing, which shows that nurses who are forced to work on a rotating pattern of day and night shifts are more likely than other nurses to want to leave the NHS;...

That this House notes with admiration that on 29th September Mr David Hempleman-Adams became the first person to fly solo in a open wicker hot air balloon from Pittsburgh to Europe and, in doing so, achieved the British duration record; recognises that his journey is in the finest traditions of British explorers; and congratulates him on his outstanding achievement.

That this House notes with admiration that on 29th September Mr David Hempleman-Adams became the first person to fly solo in a open wicker hot air balloon from Pittsburgh to Europe and, in doing so, achieved the British duration record; recognises that his journey is in the finest traditions of...

That this House asks the Government to recognise the real need for affordable social housing in the South West region in the light of new and striking evidence from the National Housing Federation that provision is running at less than one third of the Regional Planning Guidance minimum target; notes that priority homelessness acceptances in the region have increased by 28 per cent. since 1998 and use of temporary accommodation in the region has increased by over 70 per cent.; further notes that local authority lettings have fallen by 17 per cent. and that house prices have doubled in five years; and calls upon the Government substantially to increase investment in affordable social housing in the South West region as soon as possible to allow councils and housing associations to begin meeting housing needs more effectively, to promote the long-term health of the regional economy and to give planning authorities more powers to insist on higher proportions of affordable housing in new developments.

That this House asks the Government to recognise the real need for affordable social housing in the South West region in the light of new and striking evidence from the National Housing Federation that provision is running at less than one third of the Regional Planning Guidance minimum target; notes...

That this House calls upon the Government in recognition of Nurses' Week on 12th to 18th May to celebrate the pivotal role that nurses play in transforming people's lives, through the use of clinical judgement in the provision of care to enable people to improve, maintain, or recover health, to cope with health problems, and to achieve the best possible quality of life, whatever their disease or disability, and to ensure that nurses are properly valued and rewarded for the important work that they do; and acknowledges the work of the RCN and other professional unions in supporting nurses and other health care professionals.

That this House calls upon the Government in recognition of Nurses' Week on 12th to 18th May to celebrate the pivotal role that nurses play in transforming people's lives, through the use of clinical judgement in the provision of care to enable people to improve, maintain, or recover health, to...

That this House welcomes the recent launch of the comparative tables by the Financial Services Authority, but notes that the tables do not provide consumers with the ability to search the vast range of mortgage products for those that comply with the Government's CAT (Charges, Access, Terms) standard which gives consumers confidence that there are no hidden charges for clauses; further notes that they do not allow consumers to search by cost over five years, seven years or by the total amount payable on a mortgage; and calls on the Government to require the Financial Services Authority to deliver this information so that consumers can make an informed choice.

That this House welcomes the recent launch of the comparative tables by the Financial Services Authority, but notes that the tables do not provide consumers with the ability to search the vast range of mortgage products for those that comply with the Government's CAT (Charges, Access, Terms) standard which gives...

That this House notes that many other countries and multinational institutions have not followed Britain's lead on debt relief for the Third World; believes that more needs to be done for the 2015 international development targets to be met; and therefore calls on the Government, at the April meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank, to call for the acceleration of debt cancellation under the HIPC process to the level required to help achieve international development targets.

That this House notes that many other countries and multinational institutions have not followed Britain's lead on debt relief for the Third World; believes that more needs to be done for the 2015 international development targets to be met; and therefore calls on the Government, at the April meetings of...

That this House is concerned at the potential impact of some industrial chemicals on human health and the environment; supports the Copenhagen Charter which calls for a safety assessment of all chemicals to ensure that their use is safe beyond reasonable doubt; calls for the substitution of less safe chemicals with safer alternatives wherever practical and for the phasing out of chemicals that accumulate in human bodies or the environment, and for consumers to have a right to know which chemicals are in products they buy; and urges the Government to support regulations based on the Charter which is backed by over 70 consumer and environmental groups across Europe.

That this House is concerned at the potential impact of some industrial chemicals on human health and the environment; supports the Copenhagen Charter which calls for a safety assessment of all chemicals to ensure that their use is safe beyond reasonable doubt; calls for the substitution of less safe chemicals...

That this House congratulates successive governments on their leadership in keeping Third World debt firmly on the international agenda; condemns the fact that, as a new millennium begins, more than one billion people continue to live in abject poverty; notes the widespread public support for further action on debt; welcomes the Jubilee 2000 call for debt cancellation as a meaningful and lasting way to celebrate the new millennium; and urges Her Majesty's Government to use all its influence with the international community to agree further debt cancellation, clearly linked to measures aimed at reducing poverty, and ensure its successful implementation to benefit the world's poor at the start of the new millennium.

That this House congratulates successive governments on their leadership in keeping Third World debt firmly on the international agenda; condemns the fact that, as a new millennium begins, more than one billion people continue to live in abject poverty; notes the widespread public support for further action on debt; welcomes...

That this House believes that no-one under the age of 18 years should participate in armed conflict; notes that the International Labour Organisation is due to consider a new convention in June which will prohibit children under the age of 18 years from being employed in the most hazardous forms of labour; and calls upon Her Majesty's Government to support the explicit inclusion of child soldiering, to ensure that involvement of children under the age of 18 years in hostilities would be prohibited by the convention.

That this House believes that no-one under the age of 18 years should participate in armed conflict; notes that the International Labour Organisation is due to consider a new convention in June which will prohibit children under the age of 18 years from being employed in the most hazardous forms...

That this House notes the report by Health Which ? highlighting the unscrupulous practices of some slimming clinics; is disturbed by the evidence that these clinics put profit before patient care, regularly prescribing inappropriate and often dangerous drugs to patients, some of which are classified as controlled substances; notes that some clinics have failed to provide patients with adequate information about the side-effects of drugs, hence contravening General Medical Council and Royal College of Physicians guidelines on prescribing; and welcomes the investigation being undertaken by the Health Select Committee on the regulation of private health care.

That this House notes the report by Health Which ? highlighting the unscrupulous practices of some slimming clinics; is disturbed by the evidence that these clinics put profit before patient care, regularly prescribing inappropriate and often dangerous drugs to patients, some of which are classified as controlled substances; notes that...

That this House welcomes the fact that the Prime Minister was able to meet the Jubilee 2000 coalition of aid agencies, charities and churches at the G8 Summit in Birmingham; congratulates the 70,000 people who turned out to form a human chain around Birmingham; notes that this reflects the depth and extent of public support for debt cancellation; believes that the conditional cancellation of the unpayable debts of the poorest countries by 2000 is both morally and economically right; expresses concern that G8 leaders did not agree on more substantial progress on this issue; and calls upon the Government to maintain its positive approach to debt relief and to continue to put pressure on G8 and IMF colleagues to provide the same support, so that real and effective debt relief by 2000 can be a first important step towards poverty eradication in the next millennium.

That this House welcomes the fact that the Prime Minister was able to meet the Jubilee 2000 coalition of aid agencies, charities and churches at the G8 Summit in Birmingham; congratulates the 70,000 people who turned out to form a human chain around Birmingham; notes that this reflects the depth...

That this House believes that it is a national disgrace that seven million households live in fuel poverty, and that a sustainable solution to this issue will require a major increase in the energy efficiency of the nation's housing stock; welcomes the Government's manifesto commitment for a major push to promote home energy effiency schemes; believes that such schemes would also contribute to the achievement of the Government's targets of reducing United Kingdom carbon dioxide emissions by 20 per cent, improving public health, creating sustainable jobs and reducing social exclusion; recognises that achieving these ambitious goals will require major investment in energy efficiency; further welcomes the Government's view, as expressed in the consultation paper on utility regulation, that the energy industry regulation should contribute to sustainable development and have clear social and environmental goals; and urges the Government to set specific targets for energy efficiency investment, to direct the regulators of the gas and electricity industries to give a much higher priority to energy efficiency, and to implement a system of distribution charges to enable investment in reducing total consumer energy bills and the cost of affordable warmth.

That this House believes that it is a national disgrace that seven million households live in fuel poverty, and that a sustainable solution to this issue will require a major increase in the energy efficiency of the nation's housing stock; welcomes the Government's manifesto commitment for a major push to...

That this House notes that International Day of the Midwife falls on 5 May, when midwives throughout the United Kingdom will be taking part in activities to highlight the skills and commitment of the midwifery profession and to promote Safe Motherhood in the United Kingdom and throughout the world; notes that members of the Royal College of Midwives have raised ??140,000 over the past five years through local and national fundraising for international projects providing better health education in local communities and greater access to midwifery care in Ghana, Lebanon, Sierra Leone, Gambia, Tanzania, Botswana and Indonesia; and urges honourable Members to support local RCM branches in their constituencies in their promotional and fund-raising activities on International Day of the Midwife.

That this House notes that International Day of the Midwife falls on 5 May, when midwives throughout the United Kingdom will be taking part in activities to highlight the skills and commitment of the midwifery profession and to promote Safe Motherhood in the United Kingdom and throughout the world; notes...

That this House welcomes the Government's commitment to energy efficiency as part of its determination to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide; notes the efforts made by the Government regarding greater public access to information; and accordingly welcomes the intentions of the Energy Efficiency (Information) Bill, introduced by a cross-party group of honourable Members, which requires that the energy efficiency ratings on new homes, already produced under the current Building Regulations, are made subject to proper quality control and must be made available to prospective purchasers or tenantsof such homes.

That this House welcomes the Government's commitment to energy efficiency as part of its determination to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide; notes the efforts made by the Government regarding greater public access to information; and accordingly welcomes the intentions of the Energy Efficiency (Information) Bill, introduced by a cross-party group...

That this House notes that 9th to 14th February is Contraceptive Awareness Week; recognises that family planning services are extremely cost effective NHS service services; values the role of family planning nurses who are highly skilled professionals providing care and advice on a variety of contraceptive, reproductive and sexual health issues; notes that family planning nurses can be accessed confidentially and independently of other health professionals; believes that health authorities should invest in family planning nursing and services; and urges the Government to ensure that family planning services, and the care of appropriately trained nurses, are available to all those who need them.

That this House notes that 9th to 14th February is Contraceptive Awareness Week; recognises that family planning services are extremely cost effective NHS service services; values the role of family planning nurses who are highly skilled professionals providing care and advice on a variety of contraceptive, reproductive and sexual health...

That this House welcomes the Government's determination to invest in housing with the funds raised from the Capital Receipts Initiative; believes that all new and rehabilitated houses should be built to a minimum standard that guarantees easy access for people with disabilities, the elderly and able-bodied people alike; endorses the goals of the Housing for All compaign which is supported by 46 organisations and which calls for the extension of Part M of the Building Regulations to all new domestic dwellings as soon as possible; believes that building 400,000 homes a year which do not meet the Part M requirements is both socially exclusive and costly to the tax-payer, who often has to pay for alterations made in the long-term; and calls on the Government to address building specifications as a core element of future housing policy.

That this House welcomes the Government's determination to invest in housing with the funds raised from the Capital Receipts Initiative; believes that all new and rehabilitated houses should be built to a minimum standard that guarantees easy access for people with disabilities, the elderly and able-bodied people alike; endorses the...

That this House notes that Midwives, formerly the Midwives Chronicle, and currently the official journal of the Royal College of Midwives, in December this year will cease publication after 110 continuous years, making it the oldest magazine in the world devoted to the promotion of the skills of midwifery; congratulates Midwives on all its achievements over these years; and notes its demise with sadness.

That this House notes that Midwives, formerly the Midwives Chronicle, and currently the official journal of the Royal College of Midwives, in December this year will cease publication after 110 continuous years, making it the oldest magazine in the world devoted to the promotion of the skills of midwifery; congratulates...

That this House notes the considerable pressure being applied to the Nationwide Building Society which is committed to remaining mutual to become a bank; further notes that this would threaten homeowners with higher mortgage interest rates and savers with lower interest rates; and calls for the mutual status of building societies to be respected and maintained to ensure that homeowners and savers have more choice.

That this House notes the considerable pressure being applied to the Nationwide Building Society which is committed to remaining mutual to become a bank; further notes that this would threaten homeowners with higher mortgage interest rates and savers with lower interest rates; and calls for the mutual status of building...