That this House welcomes President Obama's commitment to close Guant??namo and his appeal to European countries to take in released detainees; supports the representations by the Government for the release and return of Shaker Aamer, the last British resident held in Guant??namo; notes that Mr Aamer has been detained for nearly eight years without trial or charge; further notes that he was a UK resident before his detention and that his wife and children have always lived in this country; and urges the Government to make renewed representations to the US to secure his release and return to this country.

That this House welcomes President Obama's commitment to close Guant??namo and his appeal to European countries to take in released detainees; supports the representations by the Government for the release and return of Shaker Aamer, the last British resident held in Guant??namo; notes that Mr Aamer has been detained for...

That this House welcomes the launch of the Stations Made Easy facility on the National Rail Enquiries website; notes that it provides passengers with interactive maps of every railway station in Great Britain and routes that avoid stairs and other potential obstacles; believes it will make an important contribution to improving access to the rail network, particularly for disabled and older passengers, but also for first-time visitors and passengers with luggage, bicycles or pushchairs; congratulates the Association of Train Operating Companies on this achievement; and supports the partnership of train companies, Network Rail, the Department for Transport and Transport Scotland that funded it.

That this House welcomes the launch of the Stations Made Easy facility on the National Rail Enquiries website; notes that it provides passengers with interactive maps of every railway station in Great Britain and routes that avoid stairs and other potential obstacles; believes it will make an important contribution to...

That this House supports the proposed statement by the Council of the European Union drafted by the Swedish Presidency calling for negotiations on a two-state solution leading to an independent, democratic, contiguous and viable state of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital; welcomes the statement's clear reiteration that settlements are illegal under international law, as are the separation barrier on occupied land and the demolition of homes; agrees that all three constitute an obstacle to peace by threatening to make a two-state solution impossible; and asks the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to endorse this document at the meeting in Brussels on 7 December 2009.

That this House supports the proposed statement by the Council of the European Union drafted by the Swedish Presidency calling for negotiations on a two-state solution leading to an independent, democratic, contiguous and viable state of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital; welcomes the statement's clear reiteration that settlements...

That this House notes the allegations which have been made in respect of war crimes committed during Operation Cast Lead in Gaza in December 2008 and January 2009 on the basis of investigations by Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and The Guardian newspaper; notes that these allegations include the use of human shields, unmanned aerial vehicles and the targeting of medical staff and medical facilities, all of which are prohibited under the Fourth Geneva Convention; recalls that Britain is a High Contracting Party to the Convention and is, therefore, legally required to uphold its provisions; and urges the Government to call for an independent inquiry sanctioned by the UN Security Council into allegations of war crimes during Operation Cast Lead.

That this House notes the allegations which have been made in respect of war crimes committed during Operation Cast Lead in Gaza in December 2008 and January 2009 on the basis of investigations by Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and The Guardian newspaper; notes that these allegations include the use...

That this House welcomes the launch of Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East to provide a voice for Labour Party members and supporters who want to see a viable and independent state of Palestine alongside Israel; acknowledges that the organisation opposes the use of violence, whether by Israel or Palestinians, and regards the excessive military force used by Israel in Gaza as grossly disproportionate and counterproductive; notes with concern that moderate Palestinian public opinion is being critically undermined by Israel's settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, the confiscation of Palestinian land and the proliferation of checkpoints; presses for international laws to be upheld and the human rights and equality of Palestinians and all peoples in the region to be respected; and looks forward to working with the Government and the Labour Party to promote a just and sustainable peace settlement for Israel and Palestine.

That this House welcomes the launch of Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East to provide a voice for Labour Party members and supporters who want to see a viable and independent state of Palestine alongside Israel; acknowledges that the organisation opposes the use of violence, whether by Israel...

That this House recognises the role played by South Thames College in delivering high quality education and training which develops skills for individuals, employers and the economy; welcomes the acknowledgement of the continually improving standard of service that the college provides to its learners through the awarding of MATRIX standard accreditation for its information, advice and guidance; congratulates the college on acheiving a top grade for its English for Speakers of Other Languages provision; further welcomes the news that the college has the highest Train to Gain success rates in London; and believes that the staff, led by Principal Sue Rimmer, have done an amazing job in turning South Thames College into a leading provider of education and training in London.

That this House recognises the role played by South Thames College in delivering high quality education and training which develops skills for individuals, employers and the economy; welcomes the acknowledgement of the continually improving standard of service that the college provides to its learners through the awarding of MATRIX standard...

That this House is alarmed at the number of incidents involving dogs dangerously out of control; urges local authorities to make full use of existing powers, including anti-social behaviour orders and tenancy conditions, to deter irresponsible owners from using their dogs to intimidate the public; calls on the Government to issue new guidelines on dealing with dangerous dogs, to set a minimum age for dog ownership and to consider the proposals from the Dangerous Dogs Act Study Group for a new Control of Dogs Act with powers to issue control orders backed by powers for dangerous dogs to be destroyed, controlled, muzzled or re-homed, for owners to be disqualified from having charge of a dog on pain of compensation, fines or imprisonment for a procedure for owners to appeal, and for a database to be established of dogs and owners found in breach of the act; but regards as impractical any proposal to take action against specific breeds of dogs or to re-introduce licences.

That this House is alarmed at the number of incidents involving dogs dangerously out of control; urges local authorities to make full use of existing powers, including anti-social behaviour orders and tenancy conditions, to deter irresponsible owners from using their dogs to intimidate the public; calls on the Government to...

That this House recognises the serious damage to health and premature deaths caused by consumption of super strength lagers containing 9 per cent. alcohol; notes that they encourage excess consumption since each 500ml can contains 4.5 units of alcohol which is more than the Government's recommended daily alcohol limit; and calls on the Government to curb their sale by taxing super strength lagers at a higher rate, thus saving the lives and improving the health of many homeless people with alcohol addiction problems.

That this House recognises the serious damage to health and premature deaths caused by consumption of super strength lagers containing 9 per cent. alcohol; notes that they encourage excess consumption since each 500ml can contains 4.5 units of alcohol which is more than the Government's recommended daily alcohol limit; and...

That this House believes that it would be totally wrong to remove the House of Commons from the scope of the Freedom of Information Act while leaving 110,000 other public bodies within its scope; considers that the House of Commons should be on the same footing as other public bodies; acknowledges that it is vital that the Act continues to exempt correspondence between hon. Members and constituents and continues to exempt the identity and personal details of constituents if they are referred to in correspondence between hon. Members and public bodies; acknowledges that risks can arise if constituents' identities and personal details are disclosed in error; and believes that a clarification of the law governing the disclosure of hon. Members' correspondence would be welcomed on all sides.

That this House believes that it would be totally wrong to remove the House of Commons from the scope of the Freedom of Information Act while leaving 110,000 other public bodies within its scope; considers that the House of Commons should be on the same footing as other public bodies;...

That this House regrets the proposal from Wandsworth Council to close Wandsworth Museum; values the work of the museum's small but dedicated staff; notes the museum's success in attracting 30,000 visits last year, including 8,300 school-children; commends the museum for its success in attracting ethnic minority visitors and celebrating immigrant communities in the borough from the Huguenots to the Windrush; congratulates it on being one of only six local authority-funded museums in London to be granted Accredited Status by Museums London; and urges the Council to think again and come forward with options as the basis for consultation with the Wandsworth Historical Society, civic societies and other stakeholders.

That this House regrets the proposal from Wandsworth Council to close Wandsworth Museum; values the work of the museum's small but dedicated staff; notes the museum's success in attracting 30,000 visits last year, including 8,300 school-children; commends the museum for its success in attracting ethnic minority visitors and celebrating immigrant...

That this House welcomes the campaign launched by Building magazine to improve safety standards for cranes following recent crane collapses in Battersea, Liverpool and central London; recognises that there is an increased risk both to construction workers and to the public from the use of tower cranes on brownfield sites in residential areas; and supports the calls from Building magazine for a publicly-available register of checks to cranes and construction equipment and from the Battersea Crane Disaster Action Group for a review of crane safety legislation.

That this House welcomes the campaign launched by Building magazine to improve safety standards for cranes following recent crane collapses in Battersea, Liverpool and central London; recognises that there is an increased risk both to construction workers and to the public from the use of tower cranes on brownfield sites...

That this House congratulates Battersea Arts Centre (BAC) on the huge contribution it has made to well-being both in the London Borough of Wandsworth and in London as a whole, attracting more than 220,000 visitors a year; acknowledges the important part that Wandsworth as well as the Arts Council has played in laying the foundation for BAC's success over the last three decades; notes that BAC won a Wandsworth Business Award for Best Community Contribution from Wandsworth Council only two months ago; fears that the withdrawal of grant and premises by Wandsworth would make BAC unviable; accepts that the responsibility for financial support for BAC should be shared between Wandsworth and the Arts Council; and welcomes any move by Wandsworth to enter into discussions aimed at securing the future of BAC.

That this House congratulates Battersea Arts Centre (BAC) on the huge contribution it has made to well-being both in the London Borough of Wandsworth and in London as a whole, attracting more than 220,000 visitors a year; acknowledges the important part that Wandsworth as well as the Arts Council has...

That this House notes that 2007 will mark the bi-centenary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act introduced by Hull Member of Parliament, William Wilberforce; notes that Hull never benefited from the slave trade as some other British port cities did; and believes that this fact and the role that William Wilberforce played in the abolitionist campaign creates an overwhelming case for the nation's celebrations of this bi-centenary to focus primarily on William Wilberforce's home town of Kingston-upon-Hull.

That this House notes that 2007 will mark the bi-centenary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act introduced by Hull Member of Parliament, William Wilberforce; notes that Hull never benefited from the slave trade as some other British port cities did; and believes that this fact and the role...

That this House notes the election in early 1906 of the 29 Labour Members of Parliament who formed the Parliamentary Labour Party on 12th February of that year: G Barnes (Glasgow, Blackfriars), C Bowerman (Deptford), J R Clynes (Manchester North East), W Crooks (Woolwich), C Duncan (Barrow), A H Gill (Bolton), T Glover (St Helens), J K Hardie (Merthyr), A Henderson (Barnard Castle), J Hodge (Manchester, Gorton), W Hudson (Newcastle), J Jenkins (Chatham), F Jowett (Bradford West), G Kelly (Manchester South West), R MacDonald (Leicester), J T MacPherson (Preston), J O'Grady (Leeds), J Parker (Halifax), T F Richards (Wolverhampton West), G Roberts (Norwich), J Seddon (Newton), D Shakleton (Clitheroe), P. Snowden (Blackburn), T Summerbell (Sunderland), W Thorne (West Ham), S Walsh (Ince), G Wardle (Stockport), A Wilkie (Dundee) and W T Wilson (Westhoughton); further notes that many of these men were the first Labour Members of Parliament to represent their constituencies; and congratulates the Parliamentary Labour Party on its centenary.

That this House notes the election in early 1906 of the 29 Labour Members of Parliament who formed the Parliamentary Labour Party on 12th February of that year: G Barnes (Glasgow, Blackfriars), C Bowerman (Deptford), J R Clynes (Manchester North East), W Crooks (Woolwich), C Duncan (Barrow), A H Gill...

That this House welcomes confirmation that the 2007 Tour de France will start in London; notes that this is only the third time in the Tour's history of over 100 years that it has visited England; celebrates the return of the sporting entente cordiale after last summer's Olympic showdown; acknowledges the popularity and success of British cycling in international competition; and further acknowledges the enormous benefits to public health and the environment, and of reducing congestion, that cycling offers.

That this House welcomes confirmation that the 2007 Tour de France will start in London; notes that this is only the third time in the Tour's history of over 100 years that it has visited England; celebrates the return of the sporting entente cordiale after last summer's Olympic showdown; acknowledges...

That this House expresses its dismay at the decision of the hon. Member for Bethnal Green and Bow to absent himself from his constituency and from Parliament by appearing on a national reality television programme Celebrity Big Brother; notes that the attempt by The Guardian newspaper to raise an enquiry on behalf of a constituent went unanswered by his office other than by his press adviser who, not surprisingly, could not help the constituent; welcomes the internet protest campaign entitled `Get Back to Work, George' which calculates that his absence has cost the British taxpayer over ??1,134; further notes that he has missed a debate on the Crossrail Bill, which will have direct consequences for thousands of his constituents, as well as numerous other debates; and further notes the message on his party's website which, under the title Cultural Events, says, `We must now reach out to people who do not go to political meetings... however, this must be done with the utmost subtlety'.

That this House expresses its dismay at the decision of the hon. Member for Bethnal Green and Bow to absent himself from his constituency and from Parliament by appearing on a national reality television programme Celebrity Big Brother; notes that the attempt by The Guardian newspaper to raise an enquiry...

That this House notes with concern the withdrawal of Young's Ordinary Bitter from sale in Strangers' Bar and its replacement with San Miguel lager; regards this as a deeply retrograde step as Young's is one of the most renowned cask-conditioned ales in the UK, which was put on tap in Strangers' Bar in response to demand from hon. Members in 1990, along with Federation Bitter; further notes that it remains a popular choice among hon. Members from all parts of the country and is brewed with modern equipment but by methods unchanged for generations using only the highest quality traditional ingredients at Great Britain's oldest continuously-working brewery, the Ram Brewery in Wandsworth; further notes that San Miguel at 5.0 per cent. ABV is not only inferior but also far more alcoholic than Young's Bitter at 3.7 per cent. ABV; and urges the Administration Committee to review its choice of beers for Strangers' Bar and to bring Young's back.

That this House notes with concern the withdrawal of Young's Ordinary Bitter from sale in Strangers' Bar and its replacement with San Miguel lager; regards this as a deeply retrograde step as Young's is one of the most renowned cask-conditioned ales in the UK, which was put on tap in...

That this House congratulates the Mayor of London on his plans for half-price travel on London Underground and buses for 16 to 18 year olds; believes that lower fares will encourage teenagers to stay on at school after 16; notes that not all London schoolchildren live or study in areas adequately covered by the London Underground network and they have to pay full fare on trains; further notes that the Strategic Rail Authority will allow above-inflation fare increases from January 2004; and urges the Strategic Rail Authority, the Association of Train Operating Companies and Transport for London to devise and introduce rail discount fares for 16 to 18 year olds in full time education as soon as possible.

That this House congratulates the Mayor of London on his plans for half-price travel on London Underground and buses for 16 to 18 year olds; believes that lower fares will encourage teenagers to stay on at school after 16; notes that not all London schoolchildren live or study in areas...

That this House is concerned about recent articles in the Business newspaper claiming that the East London Line extensions scheme is to be shelved; notes that a business case for the scheme has been made by the Strategic Rail Authority and is awaiting sign-off by the Department of Transport; recognises the benefits of which the East London Line extensions would bring to areas in need of regeneration; further notes that this regeneration is worth ??10 billion in large areas of north, east and south London; recognises that the East London Line extensions would be the cheapest and fastest to complete of all London's major transport infrastructure projects; notes that the scheme cannot proceed until and unless the business case is signed off; and believes that for confidence to be maintained there must be a conclusive decision as soon as possible on extending this regeneration express London Underground line.

That this House is concerned about recent articles in the Business newspaper claiming that the East London Line extensions scheme is to be shelved; notes that a business case for the scheme has been made by the Strategic Rail Authority and is awaiting sign-off by the Department of Transport; recognises...

That this House is aware of the obstacles in the way of building affordable housing of all types and tenures on land in areas of high land values; notes that in these areas the land purchase costs commonly amount to more than half the development costs; welcomes the consultation on a proposal to allow public bodies such as planning, police and fire authorities and national parks to dispose of redundant land at below market price so long as the arrangement contributes to economic, social or environmental well being; believes that these proposals could assist housing associations to acquire sites for development of affordable or key worker housing; further notes that the Government's regeneration agency English Partnerships manages a national portfolio of strategic brownfield sites; and believes that for better co-ordination of land assembly for the provision of affordable and key worker homes, English Partnerships should have first refusal on all disposals of public land.

That this House is aware of the obstacles in the way of building affordable housing of all types and tenures on land in areas of high land values; notes that in these areas the land purchase costs commonly amount to more than half the development costs; welcomes the consultation on...