That this House welcomes the launch of Scam Awareness month, a campaign to alert the public to deceptive and fraudulent mass marketed scams; notes with deep concern the growing number of scams operated by rogue traders and criminals; particularly notes the increase in scams targeted at small businesses; expresses concern that due to a clause in the Enterprise Act 2002 the Office of Fair Trading lacks the power to intervene and stop business-to-business scams in the same way that it is able to address consumer disputes; urges the Government to offer the same protection to businesses under the law as to consumers and therefore to accept the Federation of Small Businesses' proposal that stop now orders should be extended so that the actions available to enforcement agencies in business-to-business disputes mirror those currently available in consumer disputes.

That this House welcomes the launch of Scam Awareness month, a campaign to alert the public to deceptive and fraudulent mass marketed scams; notes with deep concern the growing number of scams operated by rogue traders and criminals; particularly notes the increase in scams targeted at small businesses; expresses concern...

That this House welcomes the Eating Disorders Association Awareness Week running from 7th to 11th February; notes the Eating Disorders Association report entitled Getting Better? which calls attention to the need for better treatment services for people with eating disorders; and calls upon the Government to ensure that the National Institute for Clinical Excellence guidelines published in January 2004 on treating patients with eating disorders are implemented fully and promptly to help all those across the UK affected by eating disorders.

That this House welcomes the Eating Disorders Association Awareness Week running from 7th to 11th February; notes the Eating Disorders Association report entitled Getting Better? which calls attention to the need for better treatment services for people with eating disorders; and calls upon the Government to ensure that the National...

That this House views with alarm the application for a block exemption for newspaper and magazine publishers and wholesalers that would replace the Vertical Agreement (Exclusion) Order when it is repealed in May 2005, thus preserving a restrictive, inefficient and secretive monopoly supply chain that is not in the interests of consumers and which perpetuates the exploitation of independent news retailers, putting more of them out of business, thus resulting in even larger areas of the UK with no access to specialist titles or home news delivery; and urges the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to resist pressure from powerful media interests and reject the application for a block exemption and to require all parties in the newspaper and magazine industry to take careful note of the constructive and responsible proposals for change made by the National Federation of Retail Newsagents that would modernise the industry throughout the UK, create a vibrant independent retail network, improve services to consumers and sustain access to newspapers and magazines in local communities through compliance with UK and EU competition legislation.

That this House views with alarm the application for a block exemption for newspaper and magazine publishers and wholesalers that would replace the Vertical Agreement (Exclusion) Order when it is repealed in May 2005, thus preserving a restrictive, inefficient and secretive monopoly supply chain that is not in the interests...

That this House notes the inconvenience and distress caused by local authorities giving a new street a name that is similar or identical to the name of another street in the same area; recognises that problems arising from this can include missing credit card bills, the unwanted and unauthorised change of utility suppliers and bailiffs trying to repossess the wrong person's property; therefore calls on local authorities to take greater note of the Street Name Plates and the Numbering of Premises guidelines, as issued by the then Department of Transport in 1993; urges local authorities to consult with Royal Mail when considering new street names, as advised by the guidelines; and stresses the importance to both Royal Mail and the emergency services for local authorities not to give new streets similar names to exiting roads that are in the same locality.

That this House notes the inconvenience and distress caused by local authorities giving a new street a name that is similar or identical to the name of another street in the same area; recognises that problems arising from this can include missing credit card bills, the unwanted and unauthorised change...

That this House notes with concern the growing number of scams operated by rogue traders, including recent bogus data protection scams that have generated in excess of 35,000 complaints to the Office of Fair Trading in the last year alone; acknowledges that such scams cost both consumers and businesses millions of pounds a year; further recognises that many of these scams directly target small businesses in order to misleadingly extort money for goods and services that have not been requested; expresses concern that the Office of Fair Trading lacks the power to intervene and stop business to business scams in the same way that it is able to address consumer disputes; believes that small businesses should be afforded the same protection as consumers under the law; and therefore proposes that Stop Now orders should be extended so that the actions available to enforcement agencies to stop business scams mirror those that are currently available in consumer disputes.

That this House notes with concern the growing number of scams operated by rogue traders, including recent bogus data protection scams that have generated in excess of 35,000 complaints to the Office of Fair Trading in the last year alone; acknowledges that such scams cost both consumers and businesses millions...

That this House expresses concern at the Government's decision to reform the NHS (Pharmaceutical Services) Regulations 1992 and condemns the decision to make this announcement over the summer, thereby denying Parliament the opportunity to scrutinise the proposals; recognises fears expressed by the National Pharmaceutical Association that rather than assisting consumers, new entry exemptions for large shopping developments and pharmacies opening for more than 100 hours a week could harm their interests by putting small local pharmacies out of business; further notes that Ministers have failed to consider these changes in light of the current shortage of pharmacists, who will be vulnerable to aggressive recruitment tactics by supermarkets and large shopping centres, thus putting further pressure on community pharmacies; acknowledges that these proposals represent the first step towards a full deregulation of the market and are incompatible with Government plans to enhance the role of community pharmacies, as outlined in the consultation paper, A Vision for Pharmacy in the New NHS; and therefore calls upon Ministers to urgently review the impact that these proposals will have on community pharmacies.

That this House expresses concern at the Government's decision to reform the NHS (Pharmaceutical Services) Regulations 1992 and condemns the decision to make this announcement over the summer, thereby denying Parliament the opportunity to scrutinise the proposals; recognises fears expressed by the National Pharmaceutical Association that rather than assisting consumers,...

That this House notes with concern the latest survey from the Federation of Small Businesses on Employers' Liability Compulsory Insurance (ELCI), which finds that more than one in four small businesses are still finding it difficult, or impossible to secure the compulsory cover; recognises that despite Government and industry actions to resolve the insurance crisis, 14 per cent. of respondents reported an increase of over 100 per cent. in their premiums since last year; further notes that 51 per cent. of businesses have been given less than two weeks' notice to renew ELCI, despite industry guidelines that at least three weeks' notice must be given by insurers; realises that this makes it impossible to shop around for alternative and affordable quotes and that the difficulties many small businesses are facing in securing affordable employer's liability insurance are far from over; and therefore calls upon the Government to ensure that the agreed minimum notice period for renewal is adhered to by insurers and to introduce statutory requirements if necessary, and to implement swiftly, and in full, recommendations from the Department of Work and Pensions' report on tackling the insurance crisis and to make employers' liability insurance more attractive for insurers in the long term, in order to increase the number of underwriters and boost competition in the market.

That this House notes with concern the latest survey from the Federation of Small Businesses on Employers' Liability Compulsory Insurance (ELCI), which finds that more than one in four small businesses are still finding it difficult, or impossible to secure the compulsory cover; recognises that despite Government and industry actions...

That this House congratulates ANTS (Adequate Nationwide Treatment for Sufferers of Eating Disorders) members on their successful cycle ride to 10 Downing Street to present their petition; recognises the need to raise awareness of the variable, and often inadequate and ineffective levels of treatment for eating disorder sufferers nationwide; welcomes the National Institute for Clinical Excellence guidelines for the treatment of eating disorders in England and Wales, but expresses concern that, according to the Eating Disorders Association, an estimated 1.15 million people are affected by eating disorders in the United Kingdom today, including a high proportion of young people; further notes that, without adequate funding, the publication of the treatment guidelines will raise expectations and lead to a dramatic escalation of waiting lists in an already overburdened sector of the NHS; regrets the lack of specialist service provision for eating disorders, so that many patients have to travel long distances to receive desperately needed treatment; further notes with concern that treatment is commonly offered within general psychiatric units which can cause unnecessary distress and negatively affect recovery; and therefore calls upon the Government to work with the Eating Disorders Association and other specialist organisations and to put in place funding arrangements in order to reduce the growing number of people suffering and dying from eating disorders each year.

That this House congratulates ANTS (Adequate Nationwide Treatment for Sufferers of Eating Disorders) members on their successful cycle ride to 10 Downing Street to present their petition; recognises the need to raise awareness of the variable, and often inadequate and ineffective levels of treatment for eating disorder sufferers nationwide; welcomes...

That this House notes with concern the fifth payment performance table recently published by the Federation of Small Businesses which shows that plcs in the UK have made no improvement in the time it takes them to pay their bills over the last four years; recognises that despite the introduction of statutory interest rights, late payment remains a major problem for small businesses, with large businesses owing small firms a net trade debt of around ??20 billion; expresses further concern that the late payment of commercial debt is forcing an estimated 10,000 small firms out of business each year and restricting the cash flow of countless others; recognises that the Government is failing to lead by example given the outstanding ??55 million DEFRA still owes contractors for work carried out during the foot and mouth epidemic, as highlighted by the Forum of Private Business; condemns the fact that around 73 per cent. of companies are failing to meet their legal obligation to file details of their payment records in their annual reports and laments the fact that the DTI is failing to ensure that this legislation is enforced properly; and therefore calls upon the Government to lead by example by settling its own outstanding debts, introducing an annual register to name and shame those plcs that consistently fail to pay their bills on time, introducing a single standard for reporting payment records and imposing tougher penalties on those companies that fail to disclose these details as required by law.

That this House notes with concern the fifth payment performance table recently published by the Federation of Small Businesses which shows that plcs in the UK have made no improvement in the time it takes them to pay their bills over the last four years; recognises that despite the introduction...

That this House recognises the ten year anniversary commemoration of the genocide in Rwanda which began in April 1994; acknowledges the importance of such an anniversary for international relations; hopes that, following this human tragedy, the United Nations as well as all countries, regions and peoples throughout the world will learn from its terrible consequences and ensure that a similar tragedy never happens again; notes that the campaign by the Survivors' Fund to support women survivors of the genocide who have contracted HIV/AIDS as a result of a concerted campaign of rape and sexual violence in 1994 is valid and indeed crucial for helping the women to lead a normal life; further recognises that the lack of access to affordable antiretroviral drugs inhibits their ability to work and take care of Rwanda's children; therefore acknowledges that the legacy of the genocide is still very much a problem in today's Rwanda; and calls upon the Government to increase pressure on international pharmaceutical companies to reduce the cost of antiretroviral drugs for the developing world.

That this House recognises the ten year anniversary commemoration of the genocide in Rwanda which began in April 1994; acknowledges the importance of such an anniversary for international relations; hopes that, following this human tragedy, the United Nations as well as all countries, regions and peoples throughout the world will...

That this House gives its support for National Pubs Week which is being held between 21st and 28th February; recognises the important contribution that independent pubs make to the social and economic life of local communities; acknowledges that around 20 local pubs close each month due to the consolidation of pub ownership and the prevalence of town centre theme bars; welcomes the launch of the Campaign for Real Ale's Saving Your Pub booklet which gives local communities advice on fighting pub closures in their areas; and calls upon the Government to safeguard local pubs and micro-breweries by extending progressive beer duty to the maximum level of 200,000hl as permitted under EU law, introducing legislation so that endangered urban community pubs can benefit from up to 100 per cent. rate relief in the same way that sole village pubs are able to and by pressing large pub chains to purchase a guest beer from their local brewery.

That this House gives its support for National Pubs Week which is being held between 21st and 28th February; recognises the important contribution that independent pubs make to the social and economic life of local communities; acknowledges that around 20 local pubs close each month due to the consolidation of...

That this House condemns the Chancellor's refusal to consult with small firms regarding his announcement on IR591 in the Pre-Budget Report 2003; urges the Chancellor to be open and to publish further details of his plans to 'ensure that the right amount of tax is paid by owner managers of small incorporated businesses'; presses the Government to introduce a proper period of consultation prior to any new legislation that is unveiled; further notes that the Chancellor's excessive tinkering has created an impenetrable maze of taxation law which most small businesses struggle to comprehend; concludes that it would be more sensible to ensure that all forms of income are taxed equally; and therefore calls on the Chancellor to reduce burdens on business by introducing a fair and transparent system of taxation.

That this House condemns the Chancellor's refusal to consult with small firms regarding his announcement on IR591 in the Pre-Budget Report 2003; urges the Chancellor to be open and to publish further details of his plans to 'ensure that the right amount of tax is paid by owner managers of...

That this House notes the huge contribution made to London, the UK and the world by British engineering talent; urges the Mayor of London, the Fourth Plinth Commissioning Group and others involved in the decision making process, to make provision for a permanent monument to this country's scientists, engineers and technologists on Trafalgar Square's fourth plinth, celebrating the sector and inspiring future generations to pursue careers in these fields.

That this House notes the huge contribution made to London, the UK and the world by British engineering talent; urges the Mayor of London, the Fourth Plinth Commissioning Group and others involved in the decision making process, to make provision for a permanent monument to this country's scientists, engineers and...

That this House expresses concern at a recent survey by Oftel and the Independent Committee for the Supervision of Standards of Telephone Information Services highlighting that just 57 per cent. of callers ringing new 118 directory service providers were given the correct information; is concerned that some service providers are breaching the industry code of practice by failing to offer pricing details before providing onward connection services; is further concerned that the poor quality of services offered by some providers will harm both consumers and the small businesses through the provision of incorrect information and a general lack of price transparency; acknowledges reports that some 118 companies are failing accurately to list businesses and in some cases are failing to list them at all; and recognises that many small firms are losing both money and potential customers as a result; and calls on Ofcom to review the performance of 118 companies when it assumes its role as the new telecoms regulator and to take action against those companies which fail to improve their services.

That this House expresses concern at a recent survey by Oftel and the Independent Committee for the Supervision of Standards of Telephone Information Services highlighting that just 57 per cent. of callers ringing new 118 directory service providers were given the correct information; is concerned that some service providers are...

That this House notes that the findings of the report published on 3rd June by the Department of Work and Pensions and the Office of Fair Trading into liability insurance; considers that the Department of Work and Pensions report lacks firm recommendations and necessary urgency; notes that a number of useful points are contained in the Office of Fair Trading report, but regrets that the Government has not come forward with firm action in relation to insurance premium tax on employers' liability compulsory insurance fixed notice periods where premiums are to be raised or cover is to be withdrawn, the introduction of measures to limit the scope of employers' liability compulsory cover and the establishment of a stronger link between risk and cost; further notes with concern the Government's plans to increase the insurance burden on business by using employers' liability compulsory insurance to recover the National Health Service costs for work place injuries; draws the Government's attention to the findings of the report carried out by Davis Langdon Consultancy on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry, which revealed that premiums within the construction industry have already risen by as much as 500 per cent.; and calls upon the Government to take immediate action and not delay matters to a further report in the Autumn.

That this House notes that the findings of the report published on 3rd June by the Department of Work and Pensions and the Office of Fair Trading into liability insurance; considers that the Department of Work and Pensions report lacks firm recommendations and necessary urgency; notes that a number of...

That this House warmly welcomes the findings of the Office of Fair Trading's review of undertakings given by newspaper wholesalers; notes that they confirm what independent newsagents have been saying; that power is increasingly concentrated in the hands of just three wholesalers, that carriage charges have risen faster than costs yet service quality has fallen, that such high carriage charge increases reduce newspaper availability, that exclusive territories are questionable especially where there is not competitive tendering for the territories, that newsagent shop numbers have peaked and are now falling and that this is affecting home delivery; therefore believes that if the resultant recommendations are to offer any possibility of introducing greater competition in the industry, their implementation must include allowing selling on across territories as suggested in para 6.25; recognises that only newsagents can indicate whether sub-retailing is workable at all; and therefore calls upon the Office of Fair Trading to pay particular attention to the NFRN's further response.

That this House warmly welcomes the findings of the Office of Fair Trading's review of undertakings given by newspaper wholesalers; notes that they confirm what independent newsagents have been saying; that power is increasingly concentrated in the hands of just three wholesalers, that carriage charges have risen faster than costs...

That this House recognises that the Pedlars Act 1871 is both unworkable and confusing; notes that it fails to provide adequate protection to consumers purchasing goods from those trading fraudulently under a false pedlar's licence and allows rogue traders to trade at ease at large public events such as local carnivals; further notes the it is impossible for the police to enforce the Act due to lack of manpower and the puzzling nature of the Act; and calls on the Government to consult upon the possibility of reforming the 1871 Act and granting local authorities the power to license and control trading that takes place within its own area.

That this House recognises that the Pedlars Act 1871 is both unworkable and confusing; notes that it fails to provide adequate protection to consumers purchasing goods from those trading fraudulently under a false pedlar's licence and allows rogue traders to trade at ease at large public events such as local...

That this House believes that the current reform of Parliament should include consideration of the status of Members of the Upper House who have been convicted in a court of law, and that the rules that apply to honourable Members in such circumstances should apply also to Members of the Upper House.

That this House believes that the current reform of Parliament should include consideration of the status of Members of the Upper House who have been convicted in a court of law, and that the rules that apply to honourable Members in such circumstances should apply also to Members of the...

That this House notes with concern the substantial increase in the insurance costs to business for employer's liability and public liability cover; further notes that businesses have had premium increases of 500 per cent. or more imposed, or have been refused insurance cover at short notice; recognises the recent findings of the British Chamber of Commerce survey, showing that 9 per cent. of manufacturing companies have been refused cover, along with 6 per cent. of other businesses; considers that the Government should take an urgent lead; and calls upon the Government to promote an enforceable code of conduct, ensuring a consistent and transparent approach by the insurance industry, and that an acceptable notice period is given when premiums are to be raised significantly or cover is to be withdrawn and to instigate an inquiry into this issue.

That this House notes with concern the substantial increase in the insurance costs to business for employer's liability and public liability cover; further notes that businesses have had premium increases of 500 per cent. or more imposed, or have been refused insurance cover at short notice; recognises the recent findings...

That this House calls on the Government to recognise that many village and community halls are facing closure as a result of the increasing pressure being placed on employees and volunteers to implement health and safety regulations; requests that the effect of such regulations on village and community halls should be reviewed bearing in mind that halls are frequently run by volunteers with limited time and resources; furthermore recognises that difficulties with implementation have been intensified as a result of the lack of funding that is currently available to cover capital costs such as building maintenance; further notes the importance of village and community halls to the life of local people in providing support and opportunities for young and old; and requests that urgent consideration be given to this issue, and also to the underlying problem of the lack of available funding for village halls and community centres.

That this House calls on the Government to recognise that many village and community halls are facing closure as a result of the increasing pressure being placed on employees and volunteers to implement health and safety regulations; requests that the effect of such regulations on village and community halls should...