That this House offers congratulations, for an excellent annual report, to the British Council which is the United Kingdom's principal agency for cultural relations overseas and which at present is providing great benefit to the 110 countries in which it works.

That this House offers congratulations, for an excellent annual report, to the British Council which is the United Kingdom's principal agency for cultural relations overseas and which at present is providing great benefit to the 110 countries in which it works.

That this House condemns the chaos and disruption caused to all road users by utility companies digging up the road; notes that research by the RAC Foundation has shown the cost to the taxpayer in delays caused by street works is now well over ??100 million a year; believes that a more co-ordinated approach to street works and the congestion they cause is needed to stop the problem from worsening; welcomes the recent announcement by Her Majesty's Government that they intend to implement section 74 of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 so as to penalise those utility companies that fail to co-ordinate their work; and encourages Her Majesty's Government to implement the fines-based scheme as soon as possible to end the misery caused to all road users.

That this House condemns the chaos and disruption caused to all road users by utility companies digging up the road; notes that research by the RAC Foundation has shown the cost to the taxpayer in delays caused by street works is now well over ??100 million a year; believes that...

That this House congratulates the Port of London Authority, the outgoing River Thames regulator, for its innovative approach to regulation on the river; commends the significant steps taken by the PLA in injecting new life into the river, notably the Partners in Progress Initiative, which recognised the importance of tourism on the Thames, and directly resulted in capital investment estimated to stand at over ??25 million; notes that leisure and tourism services attracted over two million visitors to the Thames last year and that this sector, which is a major contributor to the London economy, needs to be promoted and developed; welcomes the PLA's successor, London River Services and urges LRS to develop this important industry and pay due regard to existing tourism and leisure services when introducing new transport services on the Thames.

That this House congratulates the Port of London Authority, the outgoing River Thames regulator, for its innovative approach to regulation on the river; commends the significant steps taken by the PLA in injecting new life into the river, notably the Partners in Progress Initiative, which recognised the importance of tourism...

That this House expresses its gratitude to St. Dunstan's on its continuing work caring for men and women blinded in the service of their country; and regrets that, despite an extending need for the services it provides due to the increasing frailty of the ex-servicemen and women it supports, this charity receives no grant funding.

That this House expresses its gratitude to St. Dunstan's on its continuing work caring for men and women blinded in the service of their country; and regrets that, despite an extending need for the services it provides due to the increasing frailty of the ex-servicemen and women it supports, this...

That this House abhors the public killing, disembowelment and crucifixion of three bulls and six pigs as part of an art action staged by the Orgy Mystery Theatre at Prinzendorf Castle, Mistelbach, Lower Austria; and urges the Government to make strong representations through the European Parliament requesting that they take action to stop this barbaric practice.

That this House abhors the public killing, disembowelment and crucifixion of three bulls and six pigs as part of an art action staged by the Orgy Mystery Theatre at Prinzendorf Castle, Mistelbach, Lower Austria; and urges the Government to make strong representations through the European Parliament requesting that they take...

That this House congratulates Kids Club Network for organising Kids Club Week, from 29th June to 3rd July to highlight the benefits of out of school clubs to both parents and children; and supports initiatives in the National Childcare Strategy to improve the availability, accessibility and affordability of out of school childcare.

That this House congratulates Kids Club Network for organising Kids Club Week, from 29th June to 3rd July to highlight the benefits of out of school clubs to both parents and children; and supports initiatives in the National Childcare Strategy to improve the availability, accessibility and affordability of out of...

That this House congratulates the English Tourist Board on pioneering the Welcome Host training programmes for staff who come into contact with visitors, to improve standards of customer care and management; and notes that this series of training courses have recently been expanded to include Welcome All, to improve awareness of the needs of people with all forms of disability.

That this House congratulates the English Tourist Board on pioneering the Welcome Host training programmes for staff who come into contact with visitors, to improve standards of customer care and management; and notes that this series of training courses have recently been expanded to include Welcome All, to improve awareness...

That this House congratulates Southport FC on winning through to a Wembley final for the first time; notes that their 2-1 aggregate victory in the two-leg FA Trophy semi-final against Slough produced a second half of exciting football which raised enthusiasm from players and supporters of both sides; hails the dedication of Southport's players and directors, under the chairmanship of Charles Clapham; and looks forward to an excellent final at Wembley against Cheltenham Town FC.

That this House congratulates Southport FC on winning through to a Wembley final for the first time; notes that their 2-1 aggregate victory in the two-leg FA Trophy semi-final against Slough produced a second half of exciting football which raised enthusiasm from players and supporters of both sides; hails the...

That this House expresses its concern about the unfairness of applying a higher rate of taxation to travel agents and tour operators selling insurance than that applied to direct insurance companies selling the same product; notes the effect of this higher rate tax on the profit margins of many small, independent travel businesses; further notes the implications of this loss of income for the future viability of these businesses and the impact this will have on local employment opportunities and choice for the consumer; and calls on the Government to remove the distortion by taxing all insurance retailers at the same rate.

That this House expresses its concern about the unfairness of applying a higher rate of taxation to travel agents and tour operators selling insurance than that applied to direct insurance companies selling the same product; notes the effect of this higher rate tax on the profit margins of many small,...

That this House notes the Royal Academy's forthcoming exhibition to bring together many national treasures from one hundred museums and galleries in the English regions; welcomes the quality and diversity of these great collections which include works from the Atkinson Art Gallery in Southport; believes that an understanding of and appreciation for the arts is a key component of education but notes that many of these fine exhibitions are underfunded and lack the resources to display their collections to the full; and urges the Government to consider the funding of regional museums and galleries within the context of its overall commitment to education.

That this House notes the Royal Academy's forthcoming exhibition to bring together many national treasures from one hundred museums and galleries in the English regions; welcomes the quality and diversity of these great collections which include works from the Atkinson Art Gallery in Southport; believes that an understanding of and...

That this House notes that Network SouthEast's tree felling programme at up to 30 sites is destroying valuable wildlife habitats and 'green' corridors; condemns Network SouthEast's failure to notify residents well in advance of this major tree felling exercise; is similarly concerned at Network SouthEast's failure to consult with local authorities; understands that passenger safety must be the priority but questions whether the massive scale of tree felling is justified; calls upon British Rail Chairman, Sir Bob Reid, to undertake an immediate re-examination of British Rail's lineside vegetation management policy; and strongly urges Network SouthEast fully to consult local communities in all areas where these works are being carried out.

That this House notes that Network SouthEast's tree felling programme at up to 30 sites is destroying valuable wildlife habitats and 'green' corridors; condemns Network SouthEast's failure to notify residents well in advance of this major tree felling exercise; is similarly concerned at Network SouthEast's failure to consult with local...

That this House anticipates that air travel will be increasingly essential to both business and leisure by the year 2000; is alarmed that air traffic is a rapidly growing contributor to emissions of carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide as well as ozone depleting pollutants; notes that a Liberal Democrat survey found that British airlines expect a 70 per cent. increase in traffic by the year 2000; believes that airlines are not acting decisively to promote emission reduction technology; urges British airlines to co-operate with each other into research and development of less environmentally harmful jet engines and calls upon the Civil Aviation Authority to take the lead in negotiations to reduce maximum emissions levels allowable by the International Civil Aviation Organisation.

That this House anticipates that air travel will be increasingly essential to both business and leisure by the year 2000; is alarmed that air traffic is a rapidly growing contributor to emissions of carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide as well as ozone depleting pollutants; notes that a Liberal Democrat survey found...

That this House deplores the delay in effecting any real progress toward leasehold reform; expresses concern that many owners of leasehold residential property in many parts of London are still being denied the right to extend their leases or to enfranchise their property; is appalled that many flat dwellers are still being denied the opportunity to buy the freehold or commonhold of their property or to choose who should be responsible for their property's management; is very worried at the growing number of householders who have lost their homes because of leases expiring; fears that a second class market of leases of under 40 years is developing, causing financial hardship to those whose life savings are invested in such leases; notes that the honourable Member for Ealing, Acton, promised in a statement to the House on 12th July 1991 that legislation would be introduced to provide for the freehold ownership and communal management of flats; further notes that no legislation has been introduced; therefore calls for interim measures to be introduced immediately to protect and improve the rights of leaseholders; and demands that the Minister for Housing makes an urgent statement.

That this House deplores the delay in effecting any real progress toward leasehold reform; expresses concern that many owners of leasehold residential property in many parts of London are still being denied the right to extend their leases or to enfranchise their property; is appalled that many flat dwellers are...

That this House welcomes the establishment of the Student Exchange Register, which offers a cost free accommodation exchange service for students, as an excellent initiative in view of the extreme financial and practical difficulties that students experience in finding housing; and believes that similar schemes should be expanded throughout the country with the full co-operation of university accommodation offices and students' unions.

That this House welcomes the establishment of the Student Exchange Register, which offers a cost free accommodation exchange service for students, as an excellent initiative in view of the extreme financial and practical difficulties that students experience in finding housing; and believes that similar schemes should be expanded throughout the...

That this House notes with grave concern the publication of Shelter's report 'Mortgage Rescue: What does it add up to?', indicating that repossessions will continue at high levels despite direct payment of income support and the introduction of mortgage rescue schemes; believes that with an estimated 780,000 mortgate holders in two or more months arrears further action is needed; and calls upon the Government to give further incentives to extend eligibility for mortgage rescue schemes, encourage all lending institutions to participate in the schemes, transfer the administration of mortgage rescue to local authorities and if necessary consider direct financial assistance to mortgage holders in arrears.

That this House notes with grave concern the publication of Shelter's report 'Mortgage Rescue: What does it add up to?', indicating that repossessions will continue at high levels despite direct payment of income support and the introduction of mortgage rescue schemes; believes that with an estimated 780,000 mortgate holders in...

That this House notes that in the first three quarters of 1991, 3, 113 people were killed in road accidents and 222,995 were injured; and further notes that both local and national government have a role to play in reducing the number of accidents by introducing traffic calming measures, reducing speed limits from 30 mph to 20 mph in built up areas, requiring local authorities to carry out road safety audits and lowering the legal blood/alcohol limit for drivers to 50 mg per 100 ml.

That this House notes that in the first three quarters of 1991, 3, 113 people were killed in road accidents and 222,995 were injured; and further notes that both local and national government have a role to play in reducing the number of accidents by introducing traffic calming measures, reducing...

That this House accepts that the continual building of motorways to accommodate the projected increases in motor vehicles is not sustainable and that, in particular, the proposed Preston Southern and Western Bypass is an inappropriate response to traffic demands in Central Lancashire.

That this House accepts that the continual building of motorways to accommodate the projected increases in motor vehicles is not sustainable and that, in particular, the proposed Preston Southern and Western Bypass is an inappropriate response to traffic demands in Central Lancashire.

That this House notes that the Department of Transport is reviewing the criteria relating to the introduction of speed limits currently set out in Roads Circular 1/80 and supports the campaign by North Norfolk Liberal Democrats, who have collected residents' signatures for petitions in 18 villages in North Norfolk calling for a relaxation of the criteria so that highway authorities would be encouraged to introduce 30 mile per hour limits in small villages where local people wanted it.

That this House notes that the Department of Transport is reviewing the criteria relating to the introduction of speed limits currently set out in Roads Circular 1/80 and supports the campaign by North Norfolk Liberal Democrats, who have collected residents' signatures for petitions in 18 villages in North Norfolk calling...

That this House congratulates Shelter on their 25th anniversary of their foundation; applauds the work they have undertaken campaigning on behalf of the homeless; calls upon the Government to facilitate the provision of more short stay hostel places as a short term, emergency measure to reduce the number of people sleeping rough this Christmas and to reform the Vagrancy Act 1824, which is increasingly used to penalise homeless people; and requests that the Minister for Housing meet with representatives from Shelter to formulate further initiatives to tackle the growing homelessness crisis.

That this House congratulates Shelter on their 25th anniversary of their foundation; applauds the work they have undertaken campaigning on behalf of the homeless; calls upon the Government to facilitate the provision of more short stay hostel places as a short term, emergency measure to reduce the number of people...

That this House congratulates Lancashire Liberal Democrats and Blackburn Borough Council for promoting a feasibility study into providing Metro rapid transit rail and bus service for Lancashire; and urges the Government to study environmentally-friendly and sustainable alternatives to the massive and expensive road proposals for the county.

That this House congratulates Lancashire Liberal Democrats and Blackburn Borough Council for promoting a feasibility study into providing Metro rapid transit rail and bus service for Lancashire; and urges the Government to study environmentally-friendly and sustainable alternatives to the massive and expensive road proposals for the county.