That this House notes the Government's intention to publish the Invitations to Tender for the new TransPennine Express franchise in the first quarter of 2015; calls for changes to be included in the specifications for the TransPennine Express franchise to increase capacity on services between Scotland and North West England; further notes that all journeys between Edinburgh or Glasgow and Liverpool currently require changing trains, and in some cases stations; and calls for the new franchise specifications to include direct services between these major population, economic and cultural centres.

That this House notes the Government's intention to publish the Invitations to Tender for the new TransPennine Express franchise in the first quarter of 2015; calls for changes to be included in the specifications for the TransPennine Express franchise to increase capacity on services between Scotland and North West England;...

That this House congratulates Professor Peter Higgs, Emeritus Professor of Theoretical Physics at the University of Edinburgh, for the much merited award to him, along with François Englert, of the Nobel Prize for Physics for their theoretical work on the Higgs Boson which was recently confirmed by experiments at the CERN Large Hadron Collider.

That this House congratulates Professor Peter Higgs, Emeritus Professor of Theoretical Physics at the University of Edinburgh, for the much merited award to him, along with François Englert, of the Nobel Prize for Physics for their theoretical work on the Higgs Boson which was recently confirmed by experiments at the...

That this House is alarmed by Transport Scotland's Rail 2014 consultation on the future of the Scotrail franchise; notes that the document proposes to stop all cross-border services from running beyond Glasgow and Edinburgh and therefore grant Scotrail a monopoly on Scotland's railway; further notes that it also proposes to reduce services and force more interchanges; is shocked that it plans on shielding Scotrail's profits from the wider economy by introducing a risk support mechanism where no real risk exists and in order for dividends to shareholders to remain massive; is appalled at the proposal tocut the numbers of ticket officestaff, conductors and catering staff; is deeply concerned that the proposal for a massive increase in fares to an RPI + three per cent. formula will have a negative effect on both the economy and efforts to encourage modal shift; and believes that the proposed separation of the sleeper services from the main franchise will greatly reduce the quality of service for the travelling public.

That this House is alarmed by Transport Scotland's Rail 2014 consultation on the future of the Scotrail franchise; notes that the document proposes to stop all cross-border services from running beyond Glasgow and Edinburgh and therefore grant Scotrail a monopoly on Scotland's railway; further notes that it also proposes to...

That this House notes with concern the uncertainty over funding by the Department for Education for language assistantships for students from across the UK at English and Welsh universities to teach in schools abroad as part of their language degree in 2011-12; expresses the hope that the Department will approve funding as soon as possible so that recruitment for 2011 can go ahead as normal; and further notes the value of first-hand experience of a foreign culture not just to students once they start work but also to the UK economy, as many such students will go on to work in businesses which are involved in trade with other countries in the EU.

That this House notes with concern the uncertainty over funding by the Department for Education for language assistantships for students from across the UK at English and Welsh universities to teach in schools abroad as part of their language degree in 2011-12; expresses the hope that the Department will approve...

That this House notes that despite seven judgments in their favour in the European Court of Justice, scores of British and other non-Italian staff in Italian universities are still denied parity of treatment under EU single market rules prohibiting discrimination based on nationality with regard to pensions, increments for years of service and access to jobs; further notes that free movement of persons is a fundamental pillar of the EU Treaty; considers that, while respecting the rights of EU workers to take up employment and enjoy equal treatment in the UK, this House cannot ignore longstanding discrimination against UK citizens; and calls on the Government to express its grave concern and to raise this matter as a matter of urgency at the next appropriate meeting of the Council of Ministers.

That this House notes that despite seven judgments in their favour in the European Court of Justice, scores of British and other non-Italian staff in Italian universities are still denied parity of treatment under EU single market rules prohibiting discrimination based on nationality with regard to pensions, increments for years...

That this House expresses its concern over the recent comments by the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills apparently signalling retrenchment in Government funding for UK science; supports the view of the President of the Royal Society that short-term austerity risks undermining the UK's future science base; notes that the United States, China, Germany and France are all significantly increasing their science budgets in the coming years as a central part of their strategies for long-term economic growth; and believes that investment in basic scientific research throughout the UK is vital if the commercial benefits of developing new technology are to be broadly spread, rather than restricting funding to a reduced number of institutions as the Government appears to propose.

That this House expresses its concern over the recent comments by the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills apparently signalling retrenchment in Government funding for UK science; supports the view of the President of the Royal Society that short-term austerity risks undermining the UK's future science base; notes...

That this House notes the decision by the Secretary of State for International Development to withdraw funding for the project First Steps to Change run by the Scottish Development Education Centre which works with early years educators on teaching global citizenship; expresses concern about the way funding was suddenly withdrawn without any consultation or evaluation; recognises the value of development education in the UK; and urges the Government to base funding decisions on proper assessment of the success of projects rather than apparent ideological grounds.

That this House notes the decision by the Secretary of State for International Development to withdraw funding for the project First Steps to Change run by the Scottish Development Education Centre which works with early years educators on teaching global citizenship; expresses concern about the way funding was suddenly withdrawn...

That this House welcomes the Merchant Shipping (Ship-to-Ship Transfers) Regulations 2010 which were laid before it on 9 April 2010, in the previous Parliament; considers the new requirement for harbour authorities regulating cargo transfers to be licensed by the Secretary of State to be appropriate and proportionate without interfering in day-to-day harbour operations; and welcomes the safeguards given in schedules 1 and 2 to European wildlife sites and to the wider environment.

That this House welcomes the Merchant Shipping (Ship-to-Ship Transfers) Regulations 2010 which were laid before it on 9 April 2010, in the previous Parliament; considers the new requirement for harbour authorities regulating cargo transfers to be licensed by the Secretary of State to be appropriate and proportionate without interfering in...

That this House welcomes the campaign for a living wage of £7.15 per hour to tackle low pay in Scotland supported by the Poverty Alliance, the Scottish TUC, Unison, the Child Poverty Action Group and Faith in Communities Scotland; recognises the important advances made in tackling poverty through the introduction of the national minimum wage and tax credits; notes the role that a living wage can play in further reducing in work poverty and that increasing numbers of employers are opting to pay a living wage; and calls on the new Government to support measures to combat poverty such as a living wage rather than making cuts to the tax credits and benefits systems which would reverse the gains made.

That this House welcomes the campaign for a living wage of £7.15 per hour to tackle low pay in Scotland supported by the Poverty Alliance, the Scottish TUC, Unison, the Child Poverty Action Group and Faith in Communities Scotland; recognises the important advances made in tackling poverty through the introduction...

That this House notes the proposed takeover of Cadbury by the American firm Kraft Foods; further notes Cadbury's commitment to Fairtrade for its flagship Cadbury Dairy Milk brand and other products; further notes the work of the ground-breaking Cadbury Cocoa Partnership that Cadbury established in 2008 with the United Nations Development Programme and the governments, farmers and communities in Ghana, India, Indonesia and the Caribbean; and calls on Kraft, if the takeover is confirmed, to continue and build on Cadbury's commitment to Fairtrade and the Cocoa Partnership.

That this House notes the proposed takeover of Cadbury by the American firm Kraft Foods; further notes Cadbury's commitment to Fairtrade for its flagship Cadbury Dairy Milk brand and other products; further notes the work of the ground-breaking Cadbury Cocoa Partnership that Cadbury established in 2008 with the United Nations...

That this House notes with concern the proposal from the LibDem/SNP coalition which runs City of Edinburgh Council to close the four remaining crches at its swimming and leisure centres, having closed the remainder last year; believes that the closure of such facilities would make it much more difficult for many parents, particularly mothers of young children to take part in swimming and other leisure activities; further believes that such closures would undermine the sport, health and community development policies of both the UK and Scottish governments; and accordingly urges the City of Edinburgh Council to keep these crches open.

That this House notes with concern the proposal from the LibDem/SNP coalition which runs City of Edinburgh Council to close the four remaining crches at its swimming and leisure centres, having closed the remainder last year; believes that the closure of such facilities would make it much more difficult for...

That this House expresses its concern at the announcement by Hachette UK that it intends to close the operations at the Edinburgh headquarters of its subsidiary Chambers Harrap, the publisher of respected titles such as The Chambers Dictionary, first published in 1901 and the Chambers Biographical Dictionary, first published in 1897 and to transfer these and other profitable titles to its London and Paris offices; notes that the closure would result in the loss of 27 jobs and the Edinburgh offices; regards the proposed closure as asset-stripping of profitable titles; urges the company to reconsider its decision; and considers that if it is not prepared to keep its operations in Edinburgh itself, it should seek a buyer to allow the operations to continue in Edinburgh under another owner.

That this House expresses its concern at the announcement by Hachette UK that it intends to close the operations at the Edinburgh headquarters of its subsidiary Chambers Harrap, the publisher of respected titles such as The Chambers Dictionary, first published in 1901 and the Chambers Biographical Dictionary, first published in...

That this House expresses its concern at the threatened redundancies at Edinburgh's Telford College, which include both lecturers and support staff; notes that this is against a background of a sharp rise in applications for courses there; further notes that amongst those at risk of being made redundant are lecturers in business and trades which have proved particularly popular at a time when proper provision for the unemployed to retrain and improve their skills is vital; and urges the governing board of Telford College to reconsider the proposals and work constructively with staff and trade union representatives to find other means of resolving the present funding crisis.

That this House expresses its concern at the threatened redundancies at Edinburgh's Telford College, which include both lecturers and support staff; notes that this is against a background of a sharp rise in applications for courses there; further notes that amongst those at risk of being made redundant are lecturers...

That this House notes with concern the dominance of people with a financial services industry background on the board of the Financial Services Authority (FSA); acknowledges the concerns of consumer organisations such as Which? that this limits the board's ability to challenge the application of regulation and supervision by the senior management of the FSA and to promote and represent the interests of ordinary consumers; highlights the importance in the current economic climate of ensuring that the right decisions are taken on issues relating to financial regulation including rewards and remuneration in the sector; and therefore urges the FSA to ensure that suitable consumer representation is reflected on the board as a matter of urgency.

That this House notes with concern the dominance of people with a financial services industry background on the board of the Financial Services Authority (FSA); acknowledges the concerns of consumer organisations such as Which? that this limits the board's ability to challenge the application of regulation and supervision by the...

That this House notes the publication of Drowning in Debt: Scottish CAB Clients and Debt, by Citizens Advice Scotland; is concerned that the average debt levels for Citizens Advice Bureaux (CAB) debt clients seeking advice from their local CAB is ??20,193, a 50 per cent. rise since 2003; further notes that the report highlights the bleak reality for low income households in debt, including the finding that debt has had a negative impact on health for nine out of 10 debt clients; is further concerned at the increasingly ruthless behaviour adopted by creditors in seeking debt repayment, which at times has been unlawful; applauds Citizens Advice Bureaux in Scotland for the free, confidential and impartial frontline advice they have provided to the people of Scotland for the last 70 years; recognises their successes in pressing for improvements in public policy; and urges the Government to assist indebted households like those mentioned in the report by pursuing the report's recommendations to curb unreasonable creditor behaviour, increase access to affordable credit and ensure that advice services are appropriately resourced.

That this House notes the publication of Drowning in Debt: Scottish CAB Clients and Debt, by Citizens Advice Scotland; is concerned that the average debt levels for Citizens Advice Bureaux (CAB) debt clients seeking advice from their local CAB is ??20,193, a 50 per cent. rise since 2003; further notes...

That this House recognises the important role social enterprises have in the promotion of social cohesion and sustainable development within communities, generating substantial social, cultural, environmental and economic benefits; notes the emergence of community benefit contracts which allow public bodies to legally insist on terms that bring extra benefits to disadvantaged communities such as work and training opportunities; and calls on the Government to deliver guidance for procurement officers on the use of community benefit clauses, demonstrating how social enterprises deliver added social value.

That this House recognises the important role social enterprises have in the promotion of social cohesion and sustainable development within communities, generating substantial social, cultural, environmental and economic benefits; notes the emergence of community benefit contracts which allow public bodies to legally insist on terms that bring extra benefits to...

That this House welcomes the launch of the campaign by North Edinburgh Fuel Poverty Action Group calling for an end to the excessive prices paid for gas and electricity by pre-payment meter users; notes that pre-payment meters are used predominantly by consumers on low and fixed incomes; believes it is unacceptable that a pre-payment meter user can pay up to ??340 more each year than a customer using an online payment method; recognises this is an issue for low-income households across the United Kingdom; calls on Ofgem to bring forward regulations at the earliest opportunity to end these punitive charges on the poorest in society; and further believes that if Ofgem fails to act the Government should introduce legislation to address the issue.

That this House welcomes the launch of the campaign by North Edinburgh Fuel Poverty Action Group calling for an end to the excessive prices paid for gas and electricity by pre-payment meter users; notes that pre-payment meters are used predominantly by consumers on low and fixed incomes; believes it is...

That this House notes and welcomes the additional funding provided in the Pre-Budget Report to citizens advice bureaux for face to face debt advice services in England; notes that there was additional consequential funding of ??1 million to the devolved administration in Scotland as a result; notes that the Scottish National Party (SNP) administration in Holyrood failed to indicate how they were allocating this funding, despite pressure from a range of stakeholders, for two weeks; congratulates the campaign of Citizens Advice Scotland and money advice services in Scotland to force the SNP administration in Holyrood into a public commitment; and calls upon the Secretary of State for Scotland to continue to engage with the voluntary and advice sector in Scotland.

That this House notes and welcomes the additional funding provided in the Pre-Budget Report to citizens advice bureaux for face to face debt advice services in England; notes that there was additional consequential funding of ??1 million to the devolved administration in Scotland as a result; notes that the Scottish...

That this House notes the pending decision of the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) on the planned expansion of rail services on the East Coast Main Line between London, the East Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber, the North East of England and Scotland; recognises that there are competing applications for scarce track capacity on sections of the East Coast route; believes that the best use of any available capacity would be for the ORR to allocate it to the operator of the publicly-franchised Inter City East Coast service operating over the entire route, which delivers revenue to the Government for reinvestment in the railways; understands that the 25 new services that National Express East Coast wishes to run from December 2009 will deliver thousands of extra seats per day, create around 50 new jobs, reduce average journey times between London, the East Midlands, Yorkshire, the North East of England and Scotland, and bring about new direct services between London, Lincoln, Cleethorpes, Grimsby, Harrogate, Bradford and other communities; and calls upon the ORR to find in favour of the National Express proposals.

That this House notes the pending decision of the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) on the planned expansion of rail services on the East Coast Main Line between London, the East Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber, the North East of England and Scotland; recognises that there are competing applications for...

That this House welcomes the unveiling of a statue to the great Scottish scientist James Clerk Maxwell, taking place in George Street, Edinburgh on 25th November 2008; recognises that Clerk Maxwell is one of the most influential scientists of all time, his discovery of the nature of electromagnetic waves paving the way for radio, television, radar and the mobile telephone; congratulates the Royal Society of Edinburgh and the many donors who made the monument possible; believes it is right there should be public recognition of the achievements of Clerk Maxwell in the city of his birth; and hopes that wider appreciation of the works of great Scottish scientists and engineers will inspire new generations to seek to follow in their footsteps.

That this House welcomes the unveiling of a statue to the great Scottish scientist James Clerk Maxwell, taking place in George Street, Edinburgh on 25th November 2008; recognises that Clerk Maxwell is one of the most influential scientists of all time, his discovery of the nature of electromagnetic waves paving...