That this House welcomes the passage of the British Nationality (Hong Kong) Bill through the House of Lords; and urges Her Majesty's Government to ensure the speedy completion of its remaining stages so that approximately 5000 ethnic minority non-Chinese living in Hong Kong can apply for British citizenship and the right of abode in the United Kingdom as a recognition of their contribution to the life of Hong Kong and their loyalty to the Crown, and in order to give them the same degree of security as those who have either full British citizenship or Chinese nationality.

That this House welcomes the passage of the British Nationality (Hong Kong) Bill through the House of Lords; and urges Her Majesty's Government to ensure the speedy completion of its remaining stages so that approximately 5000 ethnic minority non-Chinese living in Hong Kong can apply for British citizenship and the...

That this House congratulates the Arts Council of England on marking 50 years of achievement in publicly-funded arts by the Council and its predecessor; notes the holding of an exhibition in the Upper Waiting Hall highlighting the achievements of public subsidy over half a century and the benefits of investing in the arts to both the economy and to the community; welcomes the extra resources from the National Lottery to improve the arts infrastructure, to widen access and to help young people; and endorses the National Heritage Committee's view that 'the money available to all four arts councils should be, at least, maintained in real terms year by year'.

That this House congratulates the Arts Council of England on marking 50 years of achievement in publicly-funded arts by the Council and its predecessor; notes the holding of an exhibition in the Upper Waiting Hall highlighting the achievements of public subsidy over half a century and the benefits of investing...

That this House notes with approval the consensus of honourable Members, expressed in recent debates that the excessive and increasing depiction of violence on television is a cause of profound concern; recognises that this trend in the depiction of violence is a factor contributing to a rise in the level of violence, including violent crime, in society; and calls on the BBC governors, the Independent Television Commission, the Broadcasting Standard Commission, as well as commissioners and producers of television programmes, to take steps to bring about a reduction, in the level of violence shown on television.

That this House notes with approval the consensus of honourable Members, expressed in recent debates that the excessive and increasing depiction of violence on television is a cause of profound concern; recognises that this trend in the depiction of violence is a factor contributing to a rise in the level...

That this House salutes the Right honourable Member for Old Bexley and Sidcup, Father of the House, on the occasion of his 80th birthday; pays tribute to his long and distinguished Parliamentary service; and wishes him many more happy returns of the day.

That this House salutes the Right honourable Member for Old Bexley and Sidcup, Father of the House, on the occasion of his 80th birthday; pays tribute to his long and distinguished Parliamentary service; and wishes him many more happy returns of the day.

That this House, recognising that previous Parliaments, speaking for a grateful nation, bestowed munificent gifts upon the first Dukes of Marlborough and Wellington, believing that the services to the nation of the late Sir Winston Churchill were even greater than those of these illustrious predecessors and that Parliament's presentation of an address and a portrait to mark his 80th Birthday was a less tangible asset to him and his heirs than Blenheim Palace or Stratfield Saye, and acknowledging that Sir Winston was entirely justified in seeking to make provision for his heirs by bequeathing his papers, warmly congratulates the Chairman and Trustees of the National Heritage Memorial Fund for acquiring those papers for the nation without having recourse to the public purse; and suggests that those who have derided the decision should recognise the inestimable debt the nation owes to Sir Winston Churchill's leadership, without which they might have neither the opportunity to celebrate the defeat of fascism not the democratic freedom to express their unjustified indignation.

That this House, recognising that previous Parliaments, speaking for a grateful nation, bestowed munificent gifts upon the first Dukes of Marlborough and Wellington, believing that the services to the nation of the late Sir Winston Churchill were even greater than those of these illustrious predecessors and that Parliament's presentation of...

That this House salutes the citizens of Sarajevo, as they mark 1,000 days of seige, for the courage and dignity with which they have withstood devastations and privations no civilised community should be called upon to bear; expresses its profound regret that none of the institutions of the international community have been able effectively to deter the aggression of those Bosnian Serbs who accept the leadership of Radovan Karadic; believes it is essential that such aggression should not be rewarded and that what the Mayor of Sarajevo has recently referred to as `the exceptional and unique charms of multiculturalism', of which the city has been such a shining example, are not allowed to perish; and urges Her Majesty's Government to give whatever support it can to ensure that Sarajevo survives as an open and united city and capital of an independent nation.

That this House salutes the citizens of Sarajevo, as they mark 1,000 days of seige, for the courage and dignity with which they have withstood devastations and privations no civilised community should be called upon to bear; expresses its profound regret that none of the institutions of the international community...

That this House, whilst recognising that Chechnya has for many years been part of the Russian Federation and that it is entirely acceptable for any legitimate government of a nation state to assert its authority over those who unilaterally seek to declare their independence, nevertheless believes that such action should never include the indiscriminate slaughter of a civilian population and the wanton destruction of their homes; considers that those who take such action should not expect their conduct to go unchallenged; accordingly denounces the action taken by Russian troops in Chechnya as being a gross violation of the standards of behaviour acceptable in a civilised society; contends that those who ordered such action have also violated the principles of the Helsinki agreements and forfeited the moral authority to be accepted as the sole arbiters of the fate of the Chechen people; and calls upon Her Majesty's Government to refer recent events in Chechnya to the Security Council of the United Nations and to urge that a code of internationally acceptable conduct for resolving internal disputes within nations, which gives neither encouragement to rebellion nor approval to genocide, be agreed.

That this House, whilst recognising that Chechnya has for many years been part of the Russian Federation and that it is entirely acceptable for any legitimate government of a nation state to assert its authority over those who unilaterally seek to declare their independence, nevertheless believes that such action should...

That this House, deploring the failure of the international community to prevent the carnage of Gorazde, welcomes the new mood of apparent determination and resolution evident in the issuing of the ultimatum which led to the ending of the bombardment of the city and the withdrawing of Serbian forces; believes that this reinforces the message of Sarajevo that such determination and resolution produces results; urges Her Majesty's Government and leaders of the international community never again to forget this; believes it essential, if any honour and hope is to be salvaged from the massacre, misery, and wreckage that is Bosnia, every safe-haven should now be made subject to the same protection as is afforded the ruins of Gorazde; and finally believes that if Serbia and the Bosnian Serbs attempt further slaughter they be told that the Bosnian Government will be supplied with adequate weapons and given such air support as it needs to ensure that the rape of its territory and the ethnic cleansing of its people will not succeed.

That this House, deploring the failure of the international community to prevent the carnage of Gorazde, welcomes the new mood of apparent determination and resolution evident in the issuing of the ultimatum which led to the ending of the bombardment of the city and the withdrawing of Serbian forces; believes...

That this House wishes to place on record its thanks for the life of Bob Cryer, the honourable Member for Bradford South, a dedicated socialist and peace campaigner, a loyal comrade, a committed representative of the Labour movement, a distinguished parliamentarian and a good friend to many honourable Members.

That this House wishes to place on record its thanks for the life of Bob Cryer, the honourable Member for Bradford South, a dedicated socialist and peace campaigner, a loyal comrade, a committed representative of the Labour movement, a distinguished parliamentarian and a good friend to many honourable Members.

That this House wishes to express its appreciation of the distinguished services to the nation of Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Peter Harding; expresses sadness at his untimely resignation; and records its relief that neither Admiral Lord Nelson nor the first Duke of Wellington were subject to the attentions of the tabloid press.

That this House wishes to express its appreciation of the distinguished services to the nation of Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Peter Harding; expresses sadness at his untimely resignation; and records its relief that neither Admiral Lord Nelson nor the first Duke of Wellington were subject to the...

That this House wishes to record its continued regret at the failure of the international community in general, and the countries of NATO and the European Union in particular, the take decisive deterrent action by instituting naval and air blockades when Serbian forces began to bombard Dubrovnic; believes that this lack of response and resolve gave a clear signal to those intent on building a Greater Serbia that they would not be determinedly opposed even if they attacked internationally-recognised nation states; deplores the carnage, rapine, pillage and the obscenity of ethnic cleansing, which have destroyed Bosnia, disfigured the Balkans, and shamed Europe; accepts that the problems created for those who would wish to stop continuing outrages have been accentuated by each successive failure of the international community to act in a cohesive manner; recognises the bravery of UNPROFOR, and especially its British contingent, in distributing humanitarian aid; believes that the time has now come to ensure that the siege of Sarajevo is lifted and that its citizens, and all those in the other beleaguered cities of Bosnia, are not given false hope and brief respite; and trusts that the actions of General Rose and the ultimatum delivered by NATO countries will lead to the establishing of a UN-monitored peace agreement which does not reward aggression or ethnic cleansing.

That this House wishes to record its continued regret at the failure of the international community in general, and the countries of NATO and the European Union in particular, the take decisive deterrent action by instituting naval and air blockades when Serbian forces began to bombard Dubrovnic; believes that this...

That this House wishes to record its deep regret at the failure of the international community in general, and the nations of the European Community in particular, to take decisive deterrent action by instituting naval and air blockades when Serbian forces began to bombard Dubrovnic; believes that this lack of response and resolve gave a clear signal to those intent on building a Greater Serbia that they would not be determinedly opposed even if they attacked internationally recognised nation states; deplores the carnage, rapine, pillage, and the obscenity of ethnic cleansing, which have destroyed Bosnia, disfigured the Balkans, and shamed Europe; accepts that the problems created for those who would wish to stop the continuing outrages have been accentuated by each successive failure of the international community to act in a cohesive manner; recognises the bravery of UNPROFOR, and especially its British contingent, in distributing humanitarian aid; but has no confidence in the Washington agreement because it recognises, and thus rewards, unprincipled and brutal agression and offers neither adequate protection nor reasonable hope to the victims of the worst crimes against humanity since World War Two.

That this House wishes to record its deep regret at the failure of the international community in general, and the nations of the European Community in particular, to take decisive deterrent action by instituting naval and air blockades when Serbian forces began to bombard Dubrovnic; believes that this lack of...

That this House, noting that the European Council at its meeting in Edinburgh accepted the right of countries to acquire the means to defend themselves, believes that it is inconsistent with this declaration to refuse to lift the arms embargo against Bosnia-Herzegovina.

That this House, noting that the European Council at its meeting in Edinburgh accepted the right of countries to acquire the means to defend themselves, believes that it is inconsistent with this declaration to refuse to lift the arms embargo against Bosnia-Herzegovina.

That this House notes with dismay the conclusions in the report of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools, that religious education is taught superficially in many primary schools and that two-thirds of all secondary schools inspected failed to feature religious education in their age 14 to 16 years timetable; believes that for good educational reasons only two or at most three faiths can be studied in any depth within normal religious education time constraints; further believes that all agreed syllabuses should be written in plain English with clear content, and should all reflect the statutory requirements for a mainly Christian balance in that content; and urges the Secretary of State to affirm the Government's commitment to the teaching of mainly Christian religious education in maintained schools by enhancing the scope for parental comments or complaints, and by strengthening the enforcement procedures where schools are in breach of their statutory duties.

That this House notes with dismay the conclusions in the report of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools, that religious education is taught superficially in many primary schools and that two-thirds of all secondary schools inspected failed to feature religious education in their age 14 to 16 years timetable; believes...

That this House calls upon Her Majesty's Government, during its Presidency of the European Council, to initiate the making available of funds, from the European Community, for the restoration and reconstruction of the sites and monuments of international importance in Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina damaged in the current fighting.

That this House calls upon Her Majesty's Government, during its Presidency of the European Council, to initiate the making available of funds, from the European Community, for the restoration and reconstruction of the sites and monuments of international importance in Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina damaged in the current fighting.

That this House recognises the importance of Malta as an independent state; notes that its present Nationalist Tory government have predictably created problems for workers on the island; and wishes the Maltese Labour Party every success when the General Election takes place on 22nd February.

That this House recognises the importance of Malta as an independent state; notes that its present Nationalist Tory government have predictably created problems for workers on the island; and wishes the Maltese Labour Party every success when the General Election takes place on 22nd February.

That this House takes note of the fact that the ancient geographical county of Staffordshire still exists and its existence was in no way jeopardised by the creation of administrative counties in 1988-89, or by the reorganisation of local government in 1963 to 1965, 1972 to 1974 and 1973 to 1975; recognises that administrative authorities bearing the name county were created solely for the purpose of discharging the functions of the first tier of local government; believes that it is important to inhabitants of all geographical counties that their history and their cultural, social and sporting traditions should be enhanced and maintained; calls upon the Secretary of State for Transport to facilitate the erection of boundary posts for the county of Staffordshire on all motorways and trunk roads for which he is responsibile to indicate to motorists which geographical county they are entering; and calls for the Ordnance Survey to be empowered and instructed to show the ancient geographical county of Staffordshire on their maps, in addition to, or instead of, the administrative areas that currently appear.

That this House takes note of the fact that the ancient geographical county of Staffordshire still exists and its existence was in no way jeopardised by the creation of administrative counties in 1988-89, or by the reorganisation of local government in 1963 to 1965, 1972 to 1974 and 1973 to...

That this House views with horror the reported intention of the Fountains Society to fill Parliament Square with a 25-foot high fountain incorporating a bronze unicorn standing in a raised pool with a 45-foot high water jet; and hopes that this threat to clutter a well-loved open space will be abandoned.

That this House views with horror the reported intention of the Fountains Society to fill Parliament Square with a 25-foot high fountain incorporating a bronze unicorn standing in a raised pool with a 45-foot high water jet; and hopes that this threat to clutter a well-loved open space will be...

That this House notes that Joseph Chamberlain represented the City of Birmingham as a Member of Parliament for 38 years following his service as Mayor of Birmingham for three years - a period of municipal enterprise which included the installation of a plentiful, pure and cheap supply of water, the transformation of an inefficient privately-owned gas company into an efficient publicly-owned undertaking, a massive programme of slum clearance, and the provision of much-needed municipal parks, libraries and swimming baths; also notes that Joseph Chamberlain declared himself to have `an abiding faith in municipal institutions and a deep sense of the value and importance of local self-government'; condemns the removal of the statue of Joseph Chamberlain from its place in the Members' Lobby on the recommendation of the Advisory Committee on Works of Art in the House of Commons as a snub to thousands of local councillors who serve their fellow citizens in the tradition of Joseph Chamberlain; and calls for the return of Joseph Chamberlain's statue to the Members' Lobby without delay and the immediate resignation of the members of the Advisory Committee.

That this House notes that Joseph Chamberlain represented the City of Birmingham as a Member of Parliament for 38 years following his service as Mayor of Birmingham for three years - a period of municipal enterprise which included the installation of a plentiful, pure and cheap supply of water, the...

That this House acknowledges the signal service to Church and State of the Most Reverend and Right Honourable Robert Runcie as Archbishop of Canterbury; and wishes him a long, happy and healthy retirement.

That this House acknowledges the signal service to Church and State of the Most Reverend and Right Honourable Robert Runcie as Archbishop of Canterbury; and wishes him a long, happy and healthy retirement.