That this House calls on Ofcom to review urgently and reform the current mail competition regime which is endangering the continuation of the Universal Service Obligation on Royal Mail to deliver to every address in the UK; and believes that access charges are far too low for its competitors which consequently cherry-pick highly profitable, cheap intra- and inter-city deliveries, dumping mail for outlying areas back into Royal Mail and so threatening its future.

That this House calls on Ofcom to review urgently and reform the current mail competition regime which is endangering the continuation of the Universal Service Obligation on Royal Mail to deliver to every address in the UK; and believes that access charges are far too low for its competitors which...

That this House notes that the European Union (EU) has opened a public consultation on a possible EU initiative on conflict minerals; applauds the hard work of UK non-governmental organisations (NGOs), notably Global Witness, Christian Aid and Save the Congo, as well as Congolese NGOs, particularly ASSODIP, CREDDHO, OGP and CENADEP, for their campaign work to end the international trade of minerals that funds conflict in Congo; recalls the central role played by the UK in clamping down on blood diamonds which funded brutal wars in Angola, DRC, Liberia, Sierra Leone and elsewhere; urges the EU Commission to ensure that the initiative is mandatory, based on the Organisation for Economic, Co-operation and Development's Due Diligence Guidance, applies to all segments in the supply chain and focuses on the 3T's (tungsten, tantalum and tin) and gold but that may be extended to any natural resource funding conflict; and further urges the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills and the Chancellor of the Exchequer to pledge UK support for EU-level, legally-binding legislation to ensure that natural resources traded by companies and individuals in the UK are sourced responsibly and have not funded conflict or human rights abuses in foreign countries.

That this House notes that the European Union (EU) has opened a public consultation on a possible EU initiative on conflict minerals; applauds the hard work of UK non-governmental organisations (NGOs), notably Global Witness, Christian Aid and Save the Congo, as well as Congolese NGOs, particularly ASSODIP, CREDDHO, OGP and...

That this House applauds Jonathan Paye-Layleh from Liberia and Michel Kilo from Syria, joint winners of the 2008 Parliamentary Press Gallery Speaker Abbot Award, supported by the Silbury Fund, given since 2003 to international journalists considered to have made the greatest contribution internationally to the protection, promotion and perpetuation of parliamentary democracy; notes that while Jonathan Paye-Layleh was able to receive his award from Mr Speaker in October 2008 at a reception in Mr Speaker's apartments at Westminster, Michel Kilo was arrested on 14th May 2006, accused of publishing `mendacious and exaggerated reports with the aim of discrediting the government' and `defaming the president and the courts', and remains in prison in Syria; and calls on the authorities in Syria to release Michel Kilo and allow him to continue the struggle for democracy in Syria.

That this House applauds Jonathan Paye-Layleh from Liberia and Michel Kilo from Syria, joint winners of the 2008 Parliamentary Press Gallery Speaker Abbot Award, supported by the Silbury Fund, given since 2003 to international journalists considered to have made the greatest contribution internationally to the protection, promotion and perpetuation of...

That this House congratulates the Manic Street Preachers for winning the Best British Group and Best Album awards at the Brit Awards, noting that this reflects the fact that Welsh rock music is now top of the pops with many other successful and prominent Welsh groups; and also congratulates the Manic Street Preachers for their robust defence of comprehensive education and their attack on divisive Government education policy.

That this House congratulates the Manic Street Preachers for winning the Best British Group and Best Album awards at the Brit Awards, noting that this reflects the fact that Welsh rock music is now top of the pops with many other successful and prominent Welsh groups; and also congratulates the...

That this House notes that millions of United Kingdom consumers regularly take higher dose supplements of vitamin B6 both to promote their overall health and well-being and to tackle specific nutritional deficiencies; observes that such products have an excellent safety record and that they are widely believed to be efficacious in a wide range of conditions including, according to the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, helping with the effects of pre-menstrual tension; further notes that the validity of any recent work challenging the safety of higher dose B6 products has been called extensively into question as being based upon fundamentally flawed studies; regrets that the extensive scientific literature supporting the claims of safety of B6 was not considered fully by the Food Advisory Committee prior to its recent discussion on such matters; observes, therefore, that its proposed ban on the sales of higher dose B6 supplements is based upon flawed information, would deny millions of consumers access to safe products of their choice and would adversely affect public health; welcomes the decision of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to consult further about this proposal before reaching any final decision; and invites him to defend consumers' continuing rights of access to such safe products of their choice.

That this House notes that millions of United Kingdom consumers regularly take higher dose supplements of vitamin B6 both to promote their overall health and well-being and to tackle specific nutritional deficiencies; observes that such products have an excellent safety record and that they are widely believed to be efficacious...

That this House notes that millions of United Kingdom consumers regularly take vitamin, mineral and other dietary supplements either to promote their overall health and well-being, or to tackle specific nutritional deficiencies; welcomes the contribution to public health and to reducing demands upon the National Health Service which such supplementation has made and reiterates its view that consumers should continue to have access to dietary supplements of their choice provided there is no safety risk; notes that such a safety-based approach remains the basis of British Government policy and believes that such access should be available to all European consumers within the Single Market; looks forward to the publication in the near future of a European Commission consultation document which could ultimately give rise to a new draft directive on dietary supplements; fears that other member governments of the European Union may use that opportunity once again to argue for a ban on the sale of safe higher dose supplements currently available in the United Kingdom; and urges Her Majesty's Government and consumers of dietary supplements in other European countries to press now for a European Union-wide policy that supplements should be available to consumers provided there is no known safety risk.

That this House notes that millions of United Kingdom consumers regularly take vitamin, mineral and other dietary supplements either to promote their overall health and well-being, or to tackle specific nutritional deficiencies; welcomes the contribution to public health and to reducing demands upon the National Health Service which such supplementation...

That this House notes that W.H. Smith Group plc proposes to introduce a retail display allowance on small circulation publications and that this new charge will be equivalent to 5 per cent. of the cover price; further notes that W.H. Smith Group plc already enjoys premium trading terms from supplying wholesalers and that this new proposal stands only to benefit W.H. Smith Group plc and will be to the detriment of small publications such as Tribune; is aware that the earlier decision by W.H. Smith Group plc to de-lista number of small circulation publications, including Tribune, had resulted in significant loss of sales; furthermore recognises that there are broader moral and legal ramifications associated with this company's attempt to establish margin differentials within the same product group; and condemns W.H. Smith Group plc for their contempt towards diversity and choice.

That this House notes that W.H. Smith Group plc proposes to introduce a retail display allowance on small circulation publications and that this new charge will be equivalent to 5 per cent. of the cover price; further notes that W.H. Smith Group plc already enjoys premium trading terms from supplying...

That this House congratulates Neath Rugby Club on winning the Wales Rugby Union First Division; notes that their victory was achieved by playing open, flowing rugby that produced a record number of tries; and endorses this exciting style of play as a model for the future success of both Welsh and British rugby at domestic and international level,whilst also acknowledging that the Club's success has been built upon a strategic programme of imaginatively developing local playersin concert with Neath College rather than expending on outside players vast resources which a small town such as Neath does not have.

That this House congratulates Neath Rugby Club on winning the Wales Rugby Union First Division; notes that their victory was achieved by playing open, flowing rugby that produced a record number of tries; and endorses this exciting style of play as a model for the future success of both Welsh...

That this House notes with astonishment the swingeing cuts in train services between Swansea and Cardiff on Saturday 4th May, noting that these will drastically curtail the ability of rugby fans from Neath and elsewhere in South West Wales to enjoy a day out at the cup final; and further condemns this decision by Great Western Railways as all too typical of a newly privatised company based in Swindon which is apparently ignorant of and indifferent to the importance of this particular date in requiring maximum rail provision to and from Cardiff.

That this House notes with astonishment the swingeing cuts in train services between Swansea and Cardiff on Saturday 4th May, noting that these will drastically curtail the ability of rugby fans from Neath and elsewhere in South West Wales to enjoy a day out at the cup final; and further...

That this House is astonished at the ignorance displayed by the Secretary of State for Defence at Question Time on 5th March when responding to questions put by the honourable Member for Neath and the supplementary by the honourable Member for Linlithgow concerning the section G9 of the Scott Report, particularly information provided to the Ministry of Defence on the role of provision of dual-use military/civil technology to Iraq; notes that Mr Alan Barrett, an official at the Ministry of Defence's Export Services Secretariat in an intelligence report dated 20th December 1988 and circulated to Defence Ministers stated that 'intelligence sources indicated that (Matrix Churchill) lathes were to be used for making shells and munitions' according to the Scott Report, Volume III, page 1238 at G9.2; and believes the Secretary of State should meet a minimum standard expected when discharging his ministerial duties including briefing himself on those sections of the Scott Report which specifically relate to his Department and undertaking at least to follow up oral questions in written form when he does not know what the answer is.

That this House is astonished at the ignorance displayed by the Secretary of State for Defence at Question Time on 5th March when responding to questions put by the honourable Member for Neath and the supplementary by the honourable Member for Linlithgow concerning the section G9 of the Scott Report,...

That this House, notwithstanding the apology tendered by the honourable Member for Weston-super-Mare concerning his action in tabling an amendment to the Gas Bill in the name of the honourable Member for Falmouth and Camborne, bearing in mind the statements made by the honourable Member for Weston-super-Mare prior to his apology, and the pressing need for Parliament to be seen to act in a manner the public expects, believes the matter should be referred to the Committee of Privileges.

That this House, notwithstanding the apology tendered by the honourable Member for Weston-super-Mare concerning his action in tabling an amendment to the Gas Bill in the name of the honourable Member for Falmouth and Camborne, bearing in mind the statements made by the honourable Member for Weston-super-Mare prior to his...

That this House regrets that the recent announcements by the Minister on the continued availability of herbal products are not sufficient to satisfy the concerns of Right honourable and honourable Members or herbal practitioners; notes that in a Written Answer to the honourable Member for Neath on 22nd November, Official Report, column 86, the Minister acknowledged that his attempts to safeguard the future availability of herbal remedies could not be relied upon because his defence that herbal products are not industrially produced, and thus fall outside the scope of the European directives, could be challenged in British and European courts which, he said, are independent bodies whose decisions cannot be fully predicted; believes that herbalists should expect a more robust and permanent protection from Her Majesty's Government; urges the Minister to return to the European Commission to seek further guarantee or a new European Directive the purpose of which is to guarantee the continued availability of herbal products throughout the European Community; further regrets that the Minister has failed to clarify whether his temporary protection applies only to the production of herbal remedies or also to their supply, and that he has left unclear the position of products supplied directly to herbalists for use in their preparations rather than to the public; and believes that the Minister should refrain from laying the Medicines for Human Use (Marketing Authorisations, Pharmacovigilance and Related Matters) Regulations until these matters are satisfactorily resolved.

That this House regrets that the recent announcements by the Minister on the continued availability of herbal products are not sufficient to satisfy the concerns of Right honourable and honourable Members or herbal practitioners; notes that in a Written Answer to the honourable Member for Neath on 22nd November, Official...

That this House is concerned to note that there are high court writs against the Post Office from Bridgegate Engineering regarding infringement of intellectual property rights; is also concerned that the Post Office has awarded an untendered ??7.5 million contract to Aldo Manta to manufacture equipment potentially at higher cost than available elsewhere for which intellectual property rights are claimed by Bridgegate Engineering and the Post Office, and that a writ has been served against Piriac Ltd., trading under the name of Aldo Manta, for infringements of these rights; is further concerned that Aldo Manta has changed name and ownership numerous times recently and that its two majority shareholders are Lloyd's names who owe thousands of pounds on disaster syndicates; notes that Aldo Manta (Manufacturing) Ltd., based at the same address as Aldo Manta, has used a false VAT number and that Aldo Manta Manufacturing Ltd. did not trade in 1993; requests that the President of the Board of Trade urgently establishes an inquiry into how the Post Office has been accused of breaches of civil law and the awarding of an untendered contract to a company whose credentials appear to fall significantly short of the levels of probity required by the Post Office Code of Conduct; and calls on Post Office management and the Department of Trade and Industry to concentrate on proper, efficient and equitable management of the postal service rather than let their free market fervour for Post Office privatisation distract them from their duties. (Relevant Registered interest declared).

That this House is concerned to note that there are high court writs against the Post Office from Bridgegate Engineering regarding infringement of intellectual property rights; is also concerned that the Post Office has awarded an untendered ??7.5 million contract to Aldo Manta to manufacture equipment potentially at higher cost...

That this House notes that the Post Office Code of Conduct for the purchase of goods and services requires its purchasing to achieve value for money, and requires suppliers to have a track record, long term security, financial standing, stable ownership and brand leadership; notes that the Post Office has awarded an estimated ??7.5 million contract (No. 3094008) to Aldo Manta the trading name for Piriac Ltd. whose directors are Clive Sumner, a Lloyd's name with total losses estimated at ??500,000, and David Tapley, a Lloyd's name with total losses estimated at ??1,200,000, on disaster syndicates; notes that Aldo Manta has changed its name, ownership and structural details several times over the last few years; is concerned that the Post Office has awarded a contract in apparent breach of its own code of conduct to a company that does not have a track record or stable ownership, that the contract was not open to competition and that there is a dispute in the High Court regarding the intellectual property rights of the goods ordered; calls on the President of the Board of Trade to investigate this matter and explain what control his Department exercises over Post Office contracts and management, and when he will address the concerns expressed regarding Post Office contracting in a letter passed on to him from the Leader of the House, the Right Honourable Member for Braintree; and demands that Post Office privatisation must be halted until at least a proper inquiry has been held into this matter. (Relevant registered interest declared).

That this House notes that the Post Office Code of Conduct for the purchase of goods and services requires its purchasing to achieve value for money, and requires suppliers to have a track record, long term security, financial standing, stable ownership and brand leadership; notes that the Post Office has...

That this House rejects recent comments made in this House on 15th June by the Foreign Secretary that Italian neo-fascists are welcome in Britain; reminds the Foreign Secretary of recent remarks made by Gianfranco Fini, leader of the fascist MSI that 'Mussolini was Italy's greatest statesman this century' and Pino Rauti, MSI's Euro-candidate in Rome that 'Mussolini's regime provides valid pointers not only for today but for tomorrow' and fascist MP Piero Buscaroli that 'homosexuals lead terrible lives, if it were up to me I'd send them all to the concentration camps;' notes with dismay that because they are desperate to shore up their deeply unpopular government, Conservatives are prepared to seek allies in any dingy quarter; believes that the Foreign Secretary's statement can only give Nazis both here and across Europe the respectability they crave; and consequently calls on him to sever all links with a government containing fascist ministers beginning with the cancellation of the visit of the Italian Foreign Secretary Antonio Martino scheduled for Wednesday 29th June.

That this House rejects recent comments made in this House on 15th June by the Foreign Secretary that Italian neo-fascists are welcome in Britain; reminds the Foreign Secretary of recent remarks made by Gianfranco Fini, leader of the fascist MSI that 'Mussolini was Italy's greatest statesman this century' and Pino...

That this House notes yesterday's announcement by the Minister for Energy re-appointing Professor Stephen Littlechild as Director General of Electricity Supply for a further five years; believes that Professor Littlechild has irretrievably harmed Britain's energy industries, particularly coal; recalls that the Trade and Industry Select Committee's coal inquiry criticised the way in which Professor Littlechild discharged his duties, concluding that a vigilant regulator would have acted sooner to review price controls on the regional electricity companies' distribution business; suggests that the current crop of regulators are exceeding their remits and that there is no statutory basis for regulators to become policy makers; regrets the over-personalisation of regulation in the electricity supply industry has led to a situation whereby the interests of the electricity shareholders have been favoured over coal communities; notes that under Professor Littlechild's director-generalship that average electricity prices have risen by 10.6 per cent., that in his first year dividends catapulted by 63 per cent. with earnings per share rising 58 per cent.; believes that the principal objective of regulation should be to protect the national interest and not to further feather the nests of extravagantly paid directors of privatised utilities; and calls on the Government to completely overhaul the current regulatory regime, replacing it with a democratically accountable Utilities Commission which would benefit both the consumer and Britain's strategic interests.

That this House notes yesterday's announcement by the Minister for Energy re-appointing Professor Stephen Littlechild as Director General of Electricity Supply for a further five years; believes that Professor Littlechild has irretrievably harmed Britain's energy industries, particularly coal; recalls that the Trade and Industry Select Committee's coal inquiry criticised the...

That this House notes with deep concern the Serious Fraud Office's abandonment of its investigation into the loss making Gooda Walker syndicates; calls on the Attorney General to instruct the Serious Fraud Office to resume its inquiries with a view to prosecutions and to make a statement to the House as to whether the investigation has been in any way obstructed, whether there is a conspiracy in Lloyd's to cover up the corruption, insider dealing and fraud which has been endemic in Gooda Walker syndicates; and calls on the President of the Board of trade to subject the Lloyd's insurance market to statutorily based external regulation that could curb such widespread abuse.

That this House notes with deep concern the Serious Fraud Office's abandonment of its investigation into the loss making Gooda Walker syndicates; calls on the Attorney General to instruct the Serious Fraud Office to resume its inquiries with a view to prosecutions and to make a statement to the House...

That this House rejects the proposal that Britain should be included in the Central European Time Zone; notes that the research which is being cited in support of this idea includes 20 year old data on road traffic accidents and therefore fails to take account of new circumstances such as the welcome reduction in evening drink driving; further notes that Cm 722 states that fuel savings would be `very small compared to total energy costs'; would be appalled by a measure which would delay the winter sunrise until after 10 a.m. in much of Scotland and after 9 a.m. in other parts of the United Kingdom; fears that an artificial extension of morning darkness would have a detrimental effect on postal and goods delivery services, the construction industry and agriculture; condemns a proposal which would endanger people who begin work early in the mornings; noting that accidents to postmen and women doubled in the 1968 to 1971 experiment, and which would compel children to travel to school in darkness on icy roads; and calls on the Government to recognise the natural laws of the solar system by keeping the link with Greenwich Mean Time in accordance with the universally recognised World Time Order of 1944. (Relevant registered interest declared)

That this House rejects the proposal that Britain should be included in the Central European Time Zone; notes that the research which is being cited in support of this idea includes 20 year old data on road traffic accidents and therefore fails to take account of new circumstances such as...

That this House notes EDM No. 874 condemning the 12 honourable Members who registered their involvement with Lloyd's in the 1994 Register of Members' Interests, but declined to supply syndicate numbers; further notes that the entries for the honourable Members for Davyhulme and Amber Valley make no mention of their continued financial involvement with Lloyd's on a range of open syndicates for the years 1991 to 1993 as listed in the Lloyd's Blue Book and Chatset Guide to Open Syndicates; estimates that if their combined losses were added to those listed in EDM No. 874, total estimated losses by honourable Members would be increased significantly; and calls upon the Prime Minister to instruct honourable Member of his party to comply with the rules of this House and to disclose all interests in the published register.

That this House notes EDM No. 874 condemning the 12 honourable Members who registered their involvement with Lloyd's in the 1994 Register of Members' Interests, but declined to supply syndicate numbers; further notes that the entries for the honourable Members for Davyhulme and Amber Valley make no mention of their...

That this House, recalling the Times report of 22nd January 1986 that a Conservative Minister, the honourable Member for North Wiltshire, had heavy losses paid for by parties within Lloyd's and believing that honourable Members should not be given beneficial treatment unavailable to their constituents driven to destitution, bankruptcy and even suicide by similar losses, condemns the decision of at least 12 honourable Members to refuse to disclose their membership on Lloyd's syndicates in the 1994 Register of Members' Interests which, by keeping secret their liabilities, alarms those both inside and outside this House that another special arrangement is being made to alleviate the liabilities of honourable Members alone, therefore avoiding possible bankruptcies and subsequent by-elections; and believes that, because of their refusal, information from Lloyd's Blue Books and the independent Chatset league tables estimating potential Lloyd's losses, using the average premium per member of each syndicate in the absence of a disclosed figure, should be revealed showing combined losses of over ??6 million for the honourable Member for Holland with Boston, the honourable Member for Finchley, the honourable Member for Romsey and Waterside, the Right honourable Member for Old Bexley and Sidcup, the honourable Member for North Norfolk, the Right honourable Member for Wirral West, the honourable Member for Stroud, the honourable Member for North Wiltshire, the honourable Member for South Hams, the honourable Member for Bosworth and the honourable Member for Weston-Super-Mare.

That this House, recalling the Times report of 22nd January 1986 that a Conservative Minister, the honourable Member for North Wiltshire, had heavy losses paid for by parties within Lloyd's and believing that honourable Members should not be given beneficial treatment unavailable to their constituents driven to destitution, bankruptcy and...