That this House regrets the campaign being pursued by Cleveland County Council at huge public expense to frustrate the proposals to create four unitary authorities to deliver local services in Middlesbrough, Stockton, Hartlepool and Langbaurgh; notes that a further MORI opinion poll recently commissioned by the county council, reveals that substantial council's propaganda efforts and its framing of the MORI questions; believes that local government re-organisation should go ahead as soon as possible in response to the public's overwhelming demand for change; and urges Cleveland County Council to co-operate in a smooth transition of responsibilities in the interests of the people it was elected to serve.

That this House regrets the campaign being pursued by Cleveland County Council at huge public expense to frustrate the proposals to create four unitary authorities to deliver local services in Middlesbrough, Stockton, Hartlepool and Langbaurgh; notes that a further MORI opinion poll recently commissioned by the county council, reveals that...

That this House notes the views being expressed by many constituents, veterans and ex-servicemen and women that the festivities and public relations events being organised by the Government to mark the 50th Anniversary of the D-Day landings are inappropriate and in bad taste; further notes the reservations expressed by the Royal British Legion, representing 750,000 ex-servicemen and women, about the 'light entertainment tone' of the Government's plans and regrets that this and other veterans' organisations have not been properly consulted by the Government over how to mark the Anniversary; and calls upon the Government to scrap its programme of street parties, fun days, firework displays and cooking contests and to hold, instead, a single, respectful, dignified national service of thanksgiving in grateful memory of those who gave their lives so that others could live in freedom.

That this House notes the views being expressed by many constituents, veterans and ex-servicemen and women that the festivities and public relations events being organised by the Government to mark the 50th Anniversary of the D-Day landings are inappropriate and in bad taste; further notes the reservations expressed by the...

That this House re-affirms its support for locally-based ITV television production which reflects regional identities and interests in keeping with the licences issued to ITV companies under the Broadcasting Act 1990; notes the valuable contribution made by Tyne Tees TV to regional television and the ITV national network; expresses its concern that a successful bid by London Weekend Television for Yorkshire-Tyne Tees plc would require the company to divest itself of the Tyne Tees licence; and calls upon the Independent Television Commission to ensure by every means open to it that the viability, independence and programme standards of Tyne Tees TV are safeguarded whatever change in ownership takes place.

That this House re-affirms its support for locally-based ITV television production which reflects regional identities and interests in keeping with the licences issued to ITV companies under the Broadcasting Act 1990; notes the valuable contribution made by Tyne Tees TV to regional television and the ITV national network; expresses its...

That this House notes the vital role of ITN's News at Ten in keeping the nation informed of the latest twists and turns of Government policy and the activities of government ministers; deplores the proposal to fill this peak-viewing slot instead with adult films and drama; notes that this change is being pushed by, among others, Carlton TV, whose chief, Michael Green, has recently become ITN's chairman; urges the executive, staff and journalists of ITN to resist this pressure by all means open to them; and calls upon the ITC to give them its full backing.

That this House notes the vital role of ITN's News at Ten in keeping the nation informed of the latest twists and turns of Government policy and the activities of government ministers; deplores the proposal to fill this peak-viewing slot instead with adult films and drama; notes that this change...

That this House believes that voluntary and charity activity by the unemployed can improve confidence, employment opportunities and skills and contribute to the development of the local community; notes the Prime Minister's statement on 2nd March that he was willing to consider practical suggestions for improving opportunities for the unemployed to undertake voluntary work; and therefore proposes that the availability for work regulations be changed to allow a volunteer seven days in which to give up a voluntary position, that the regulations on out of pocket expenses be altered to facilitate volunteering, that fourteen day attendance at volunteer camps should be allowed throughout the EC as well as in the United Kingdom as at present, that volunteering through local volunteer bureaux is recognised by claims advisers and that wherever possible discretion is used by local staff to encourage volunteering rather than limit it.

That this House believes that voluntary and charity activity by the unemployed can improve confidence, employment opportunities and skills and contribute to the development of the local community; notes the Prime Minister's statement on 2nd March that he was willing to consider practical suggestions for improving opportunities for the unemployed...

That this House, mindful of the statutory requirement of Independent Television News to maintain strict political independence and impartiality, views as unacceptable the appointment of Carlton TV's Michael Green, a declared supporter and donor to the Conservative Party, as ITN's next Chairman; calls upon ITN's ownership consortium to recognise the importance of keeping ITN's name free from party political taint; and urges them to nominate someone other than Mr Green as head of ITN's board.

That this House, mindful of the statutory requirement of Independent Television News to maintain strict political independence and impartiality, views as unacceptable the appointment of Carlton TV's Michael Green, a declared supporter and donor to the Conservative Party, as ITN's next Chairman; calls upon ITN's ownership consortium to recognise the...

That this House commends the statement adopted by the first Leaders' Conference of the new Party of European Socialists held in Edinburgh immediately prior to the European Council under the excellent chairmanship of the Leader of the Opposition; welcomes the priority given in the conference statement to a substantial European economic recovery plan and regrets the disappointing proposals subsequently made by the European Council; notes the unanimous conclusion of the socialist leaders that Europe's economic and other problems require, for their solution, 'the rapid completion of the ratification of the Maastricht Treaty and its implementation'; recognises that this is in accordance with the view of the October 1992 Labour Party Conference that 'the Maastricht Treaty, while not perfect, is the best that can currently be achieved'; and calls upon the British Government to endorse the Social Chapter of the Treaty so that passage of the European Communities (Amendment) Bill can receive the wholehearted support of both sides of the House at the earliest opportunity.

That this House commends the statement adopted by the first Leaders' Conference of the new Party of European Socialists held in Edinburgh immediately prior to the European Council under the excellent chairmanship of the Leader of the Opposition; welcomes the priority given in the conference statement to a substantial European...

That this House believes that if an error is made in determining a person's benefit the claimant should have a statutory right to have such an official error corrected; therefore regrets that the Government has laid the statutory instrument entitled The Social Security (Miscellaneous Provisions) Amendment (No.2) Regulations 1992 (S.I., 1992, No.2595) as it will diminish the rights of existing and future claimants to such retrospective entitlements; believes that his further attempt to remove Regulation 49 of the 1987 Claims and Payments Regulations is a further attempt to erode the rights of the poorest in the community and reduce social security expenditure by undermining the rights of benefit claimants; and urges the Government to withdraw S.I., No.2595.

That this House believes that if an error is made in determining a person's benefit the claimant should have a statutory right to have such an official error corrected; therefore regrets that the Government has laid the statutory instrument entitled The Social Security (Miscellaneous Provisions) Amendment (No.2) Regulations 1992 (S.I.,...

That this House urges John Birt, BBC Director-General Designate, and David Frost, currently bidding for the Channel Five franchise to explain how a Granada World in Action programme, planned as an expose of David Frost's Paradine Productions business dealings and including an interview by Mr Birt of Mr Frost in Manhattan in November 1970, in which Mr Frost broke down and cried when Mr Birt put allegations to him, was never shown; calls on Mr Birt to explain any causative link between the decision by Granada to pull that programme and his appointment and promotion shortly thereafter as producer of the Frost Programme; notes allegations that in Mr Birt's subsequent ascent of the television career ladder at London Weekend Television at Weekend World, then Head of Current Affairs, as co-producer with David Frost in 1977 of the Nixon Interviews, Controller of Features and Current Affairs and Director of Programmes, Mr Frost's patronage as a founder of London Weekend Television was critical to his advancement; believes that the public standing of the future Director-General of the BBC must be beyond reproach; further notes the announcement that the Frost Programme for which TV-AM paid ??368,000 a year up to its last showing on 28th June is to switch to the BBC for an undisclosed sum; and calls upon Mr Birt to make a full disclosure of the circumstances of the suppression of the 1970 World in Action programme, in the absence of which persistent doubts will remain concerning his suitability for the most vital post in the United Kingdom in public service broadcasting.

That this House urges John Birt, BBC Director-General Designate, and David Frost, currently bidding for the Channel Five franchise to explain how a Granada World in Action programme, planned as an expose of David Frost's Paradine Productions business dealings and including an interview by Mr Birt of Mr Frost in...

That this House congratulates the newspapers, The Independent on Sunday, The Independent and the Daily Telegraph, on their refusal to be involved in the publication of hurtful rumour about the Prince and Princess of Wales; and recommends to other newspapers, especially the Daily Mail and The Sunday Times, that they follow their example and stop intruding in privacy for profit.

That this House congratulates the newspapers, The Independent on Sunday, The Independent and the Daily Telegraph, on their refusal to be involved in the publication of hurtful rumour about the Prince and Princess of Wales; and recommends to other newspapers, especially the Daily Mail and The Sunday Times, that they...