That this House notes with concern the findings of The Puppy Smuggling Scandal report by Dogs Trust which was the result of a six-month investigation into the illegal entry of dogs into the UK under the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS); further highlights the documented exploitation of the 2012 changes to PETS; and welcomes the report's recommendations to the Government that it should develop and implement an action plan to address the abuse of PETS and the number of undeclared dogs entering the UK every day, ban the importation of puppies under the age of six months into the UK under PETS, create a centrally-accessible database logging pets' microchip numbers at the point of entry into the UK so that it can be traced when and how a dog has entered the country, and actively encourage cross agency working and develop an intelligence system specifically to record and share data in respect of illegally-traded commercial consignments of animals.

That this House notes with concern the findings of The Puppy Smuggling Scandal report by Dogs Trust which was the result of a six-month investigation into the illegal entry of dogs into the UK under the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS); further highlights the documented exploitation of the 2012 changes to...

That this House is gravely concerned by the continuing assault on human rights in Congo, and in particular the Kabila regime's decision to expel Scott Campbell, director of the UN's Joint Human Rights Office in Congo, for publishing a report implicating the Congolese National Police in the summary execution of at least nine civilians and the enforced disappearance of 32 others in Kinshasa between November 2013 and February 2014; notes that Save the Congo has described this as Kabila's latest attempt to silence human rights defenders in Congo; supports Save the Congo's call to the Minister for Africa to make urgent representation to the Kabila regime over these issues; and urges the Government to report to the House on the results of the representations as soon as practical.

That this House is gravely concerned by the continuing assault on human rights in Congo, and in particular the Kabila regime's decision to expel Scott Campbell, director of the UN's Joint Human Rights Office in Congo, for publishing a report implicating the Congolese National Police in the summary execution of...

That this House celebrates the successes of British sportswomen and men in many spheres in the last year, most notably in the Commonwealth, Olympic and Paralympic Games, but notes with regret that the inclusivity and diversity of British sports players is not evident in the management and governance structures of any national sports governing body; further notes that Sport England's recent survey of 45 national governing bodies found that just one was chaired by a BME person, and that only three per cent of board members were of black or ethnic minority heritage; and therefore calls on the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport to work with each national body urgently to consider how to make it more representative of the nation and of those who participate in the sport it governs, and to set itself challenging performance standards by which its success in doing so can be objectively measured.

That this House celebrates the successes of British sportswomen and men in many spheres in the last year, most notably in the Commonwealth, Olympic and Paralympic Games, but notes with regret that the inclusivity and diversity of British sports players is not evident in the management and governance structures of...

That this House is alarmed at the steps taken by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard to begin destroying a historically important Bahá'i cemetery in Shiraz, Iran; observes that attacks on Bahá'i cemeteries are part of a wide ranging, multifaceted, cradle-to-grave campaign of persecution against Bahá'is conducted by the Iranian government with the aim of eliminating the community as a viable entity in Iran; deplores this recent act of desecration; and calls on the Government to strongly urge the Iranian authorities to prevent further destruction of the cemetery.

That this House is alarmed at the steps taken by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard to begin destroying a historically important Bahá'i cemetery in Shiraz, Iran; observes that attacks on Bahá'i cemeteries are part of a wide ranging, multifaceted, cradle-to-grave campaign of persecution against Bahá'is conducted by the Iranian government with...

That this House welcomes the publication by the Department for Energy and Climate Change of the report, Energy Efficiency Opportunity in the UK, in November 2012 which shows the potential for cost effectively reducing the demand for electricity by 69TWh by 2020, for gas by 74TWh by 2020 and for oil and other fuels by 53TWh by 2020; further welcomes the publication of the report, Electricity Demand Reduction, in May 2013 which showed that a further 32TWh of electricity could be saved by 2030; and so supports the proposals contained in the Energy Demand Reduction Bill introduced in the last session for the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change to draw up and implement a strategy to achieve those reductions.

That this House welcomes the publication by the Department for Energy and Climate Change of the report, Energy Efficiency Opportunity in the UK, in November 2012 which shows the potential for cost effectively reducing the demand for electricity by 69TWh by 2020, for gas by 74TWh by 2020 and for...

That this House welcomes the publication by the Department for Energy and Climate Change of the report, Energy Efficiency Opportunity in the UK, in November 2012 which shows the potential for cost effectively reducing the demand for electricity by 69TWh by 2020, for gas by 74TWh by 2020 and for oil and other fuels by 53TWh by 2020; further welcomes the publication of the report, Electricity Demand Reduction, in May 2013 which showed that a further 32TWh of electricity could be saved by 2030; and so supports the proposals contained in the Energy Demand Reduction Bill for the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change to draw up and implement a strategy to achieve those reductions.

That this House welcomes the publication by the Department for Energy and Climate Change of the report, Energy Efficiency Opportunity in the UK, in November 2012 which shows the potential for cost effectively reducing the demand for electricity by 69TWh by 2020, for gas by 74TWh by 2020 and for...

That this House is concerned that the future of two historic textile machines, unique examples of innovative nylon and polyester yarn-making equipment from the 1950s, may be at risk following reorganisation of exhibits at the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) in Manchester; notes that the Fluflon and air-jet weaving machines are irreplaceable artefacts from the UK's hey-day of artificial fibre textile development; and calls on the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport to work with MOSI to secure their safe preservation for posterity.

That this House is concerned that the future of two historic textile machines, unique examples of innovative nylon and polyester yarn-making equipment from the 1950s, may be at risk following reorganisation of exhibits at the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) in Manchester; notes that the Fluflon and air-jet weaving...

That this House congratulates Stockport Hydro, a renewable energy scheme on the River Goyt, Marple in Stockport which generates renewable electricity and has been feeding it into the National Grid since October 2012 for being Greater Manchester's first community-owned hydro-electric project and for passing its 100,000 thousandth kilowatt hour of power generation in March 2013; commends its use of the Government's feed in tariff scheme to enable the costs of the project; notes that any profits made will not only be returned to investors but will be distributed amongst community-based projects in Stockport; recognises that the scheme will yield 20 per cent more electricity than originally anticipated; and therefore calls on the Government to showcase Stockport Hydro as a national example to encourage other towns to set up similar community-owned renewable energy schemes across the UK, to simplify the administration of such schemes by reviewing the current burden, often daunting, to small community schemes of planning, fundraising and financing, accreditation (Ofgem), monitoring (Energy Alternatives), documentation and tariffs reform and to ensure that the loan criteria of the Green Bank facilitates support for similar projects in the future.

That this House congratulates Stockport Hydro, a renewable energy scheme on the River Goyt, Marple in Stockport which generates renewable electricity and has been feeding it into the National Grid since October 2012 for being Greater Manchester's first community-owned hydro-electric project and for passing its 100,000 thousandth kilowatt hour of...

That this House notes the serious concerns expressed by the Hindu community at the possible consequences of the provisions in the Enterprise and Regulatary Reform Act 2013 relating to caste within the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010; and recognises the need to ensure a full and proper consultation period of at least two years with the affected communities to address the issues they have raised about practical difficulties with the legislation.

That this House notes the serious concerns expressed by the Hindu community at the possible consequences of the provisions in the Enterprise and Regulatary Reform Act 2013 relating to caste within the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010; and recognises the need to ensure a full and proper consultation...

That this House recognises that a quarter of total carbon dioxide emissions come from the use of homes and that the most cost-effective carbon reduction strategy for the UK is to improve their efficiency, simultaneously cutting fuel imports, fuel bills and fuel poverty as well as slowing climate change; welcomes the measures taken so far by the Government to improve building efficiency standards and the start of the Green Deal; further welcomes the Prime Minister's restatement of the Government's intention to become the Greenest Government Ever and the Coalition's commitment to achieve a Zero Carbon Home standard for new homes by 2016; congratulates Building magazine on its Green for Growth campaign, supported by many leading professions, companies and organisations in the construction sector; and urges the Government now to press forward urgently on announcing further energy performance upgrades to building standards so that industry can prepare in a timely way for the full benefits for households, the economy and the planet to be delivered at the earliest possible time.

That this House recognises that a quarter of total carbon dioxide emissions come from the use of homes and that the most cost-effective carbon reduction strategy for the UK is to improve their efficiency, simultaneously cutting fuel imports, fuel bills and fuel poverty as well as slowing climate change; welcomes...

That this House recognises the failure of the Indeterminate Sentence for Public Protection (IPP) to provide an effective prison sentence; notes that the thematic review published by the Criminal Justice Joint Inspectorate has branded the current position `unsustainable'; supports the Inspectorate's calls for a major policy review at ministerial level to examine the efficacy and utility of the IPP, taking into account that IPPs confuse the public and fail to satisfy the victims of crime; notes that the IPP is destabilising the running of prisons and contributing disproportionately to prison overcrowding; recognises the large numbers of IPP prisoners unable to access courses required before their release, thus remaining in prison beyond their tariff; further recognises the double punishment imposed on those who are mentally ill or have a learning disability who are effectively barred from participating in such courses; notes that the criticisms of the IPP voiced by the Lord Chief Justice, the Chairman of the Parole Board and the Chief Inspector of Prisons, among others, have not been satisfactorily resolved by the amendments to the sentence introduced by the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008; and therefore urges the Government to commission a review immediately.

That this House recognises the failure of the Indeterminate Sentence for Public Protection (IPP) to provide an effective prison sentence; notes that the thematic review published by the Criminal Justice Joint Inspectorate has branded the current position `unsustainable'; supports the Inspectorate's calls for a major policy review at ministerial level...

That this House welcomes the Free Burma's Political Prisoners Now campaign being organised by former political prisoners from Burma; congratulates the organisers on securing 250,000 signatures in support of the campaign; notes that more than 2,100 political prisoners languish in Burma's gaols, having committed no crime other than to want freedom and democracy, or to deliver aid to victims of Cyclone Nargis; expresses deep concern that political prisoners are deliberately being denied medical treatment; supports the call for UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to make it his personal priority to secure the release of all of Burma's political prisoners; and calls on the Government to do all it can to assist the UN Secretary General in this objective.

That this House welcomes the Free Burma's Political Prisoners Now campaign being organised by former political prisoners from Burma; congratulates the organisers on securing 250,000 signatures in support of the campaign; notes that more than 2,100 political prisoners languish in Burma's gaols, having committed no crime other than to want...

That this House strongly supports VAT relief available on a range of products and services for people with disabilities; is concerned at the lack of awareness amongst people with disabilities of the availability of VAT relief; and, given the current economic climate, calls on HM Revenue and Customs actively to increase the publicity of VAT relief in order to raise awareness of its availability amongst people with disabilities and members of the construction and maintenance industry.

That this House strongly supports VAT relief available on a range of products and services for people with disabilities; is concerned at the lack of awareness amongst people with disabilities of the availability of VAT relief; and, given the current economic climate, calls on HM Revenue and Customs actively to...

That this House is aware that false self-employment, where workers are registered as self-employed but have all the characteristics of an employee but none of the employment rights which accompany such a status, is endemic in a number of industries in the UK, notably the construction industry; acknowledges recent research commissioned by the trade union UCATT, the Evasion Economy, prepared by Professor Mark Harvey which estimated that there are at least 400,000 false self-employed construction workers in the UK, which costs taxpayers approximately ??1.7 billion per year; and believes that the Government should act immediately to end such practices both in the interests of the economy and more importantly for those who are forced or encouraged into such employment scenarios by unscrupulous employers whose intent is merely to make a fast buck, whatever the consequences for those they employ.

That this House is aware that false self-employment, where workers are registered as self-employed but have all the characteristics of an employee but none of the employment rights which accompany such a status, is endemic in a number of industries in the UK, notably the construction industry; acknowledges recent research...

That this House, while recognising the importance of Tetra telephone masts in enabling the emergency services to communicate effectively and better protect the public, supports a reform of planning laws, which currently allows applications for the location and erection of Tetra mobile telecommunication masts to be approved without taking the concerns of local councils into account; recognises that local councils should have the power to make final decisions relating to Tetra masts; further supports placing the power to approve or reject planning applications for Tetra mobile telecommunications masts in the hands of local councils; and considers that councils should be able to reject certain applications and support better alternative sitings for such masts.

That this House, while recognising the importance of Tetra telephone masts in enabling the emergency services to communicate effectively and better protect the public, supports a reform of planning laws, which currently allows applications for the location and erection of Tetra mobile telecommunication masts to be approved without taking the...

That this House believes that if the Government's target of all new homes being zero carbon by 2016 is to be met it is imperative that there must be a uniform definition of what constitutes zero carbon, specifically with regard to the source of heat and power generation; urges the Department of Communities and Local Government and the Treasury to work together to provide clarity in this area to the building industry; calls on the Treasury to lay before the House the definition of a zero carbon home before 31st December 2008; and believes that such definition should be subject to affirmative resolution procedure.

That this House believes that if the Government's target of all new homes being zero carbon by 2016 is to be met it is imperative that there must be a uniform definition of what constitutes zero carbon, specifically with regard to the source of heat and power generation; urges the...

That this House notes that carers' earnings cannot exceed ??95 net per week in order to qualify for the carer's allowance benefit, that maximum individual earnings combined with the carer's allowance equates to only ??7,568 per annum and, as a result, working carers are in the group affected by the abolition of the 10 per cent. tax rate; further notes that most carers care for adults and are thus not entitled to child tax credits, nor do they qualify for working tax credits because they cannot work the requisite hours; believes that carers make an invaluable contribution to society; and urges the Government to take the opportunity when publishing its forthcoming National Strategy for Carers to help those carers made worse off as a result of last year's budget.

That this House notes that carers' earnings cannot exceed ??95 net per week in order to qualify for the carer's allowance benefit, that maximum individual earnings combined with the carer's allowance equates to only ??7,568 per annum and, as a result, working carers are in the group affected by the...

That this House notes that more than a third of the UK's housing stock predates 1945 and that at current replacement rates it will take several centuries to replace; therefore believes that greater research is needed into evaluating the complete life-cycle carbon footprints of existing housing stock, taking account of energy used in the manufacture of building materials, construction of the home, its efficiency in use, and eventual demolition and recycling or disposal of materials; and urges the Government to investigate the total carbon budgets for renewal and upgrading of existing homes against their demolition and replacement with houses built to higher environmental standards.

That this House notes that more than a third of the UK's housing stock predates 1945 and that at current replacement rates it will take several centuries to replace; therefore believes that greater research is needed into evaluating the complete life-cycle carbon footprints of existing housing stock, taking account of...

That this House believes that Virgin Media's policy of charging their customers an additional ??5 for paying their bills by methods other than direct debit to be an extortionately high penalty; further believes that it is a policy that discriminates against those who do not have bank accounts, many of whom are elderly and on fixed incomes; notes that the company refuses to enter into correspondence with hon. Members who take up the concerns of constituents on this matter; and urges Virgin Media to re-think their policy on charging customers for non-direct debit payments, and to reassess their corporate social responsibility strategy for dealing with customer complaints and hon. Members enquiries.

That this House believes that Virgin Media's policy of charging their customers an additional ??5 for paying their bills by methods other than direct debit to be an extortionately high penalty; further believes that it is a policy that discriminates against those who do not have bank accounts, many of...

That this House notes with grave concern the ongoing violence with impunity against Dalits in India (formerly called untouchables); recalls the tragic murder of Surekha, Priyanka, Sudhir and Roshan Bhotmange in Khairlanji village in September 2006; regrets the chronic deficiencies in the investigation and the lack of prosecution of negligent police officers involved in the case; notes that official figures record approximately 26,000 atrocities against Dalits every year; further notes that this statistic is unlikely to represent the true extent of violence; further notes a recent study on untouchability in rural India finding that Dalits faced discrimination in their access to police stations in 28 per cent. of villages and in their treatment in police stations in 32 per cent. of villages; further notes the European Parliament Resolution of 1st February on the human rights situation of the Dalits in India; recognises the existence of legislation to protect Dalits from caste-based violence and humiliation in India; and calls upon the UK Government to make representations to the Indian government to urge the effective implementation of laws protecting Dalits from violent attacks.

That this House notes with grave concern the ongoing violence with impunity against Dalits in India (formerly called untouchables); recalls the tragic murder of Surekha, Priyanka, Sudhir and Roshan Bhotmange in Khairlanji village in September 2006; regrets the chronic deficiencies in the investigation and the lack of prosecution of negligent...