That this House notes that the haste with which the BBC apologised for a suggestion on Blue Peter that the Red Hand of Ulster was an appropriate emblem; is aware that the Red Hand is the emblem of Tyrone and other international bodies; recognises the right of freedom of expression, but is angered at the BBC's unwillingness in contrast to apologise for Jerry Springer the Opera, despite over 40,000 objections and Jerry Springer's own condemnation; and calls upon the BBC to refrain from gratuitous insults against Jesus Christ and Christianity, even though the UK may be a religiously sceptical nation.

That this House notes that the haste with which the BBC apologised for a suggestion on Blue Peter that the Red Hand of Ulster was an appropriate emblem; is aware that the Red Hand is the emblem of Tyrone and other international bodies; recognises the right of freedom of expression,...

That this House notes with distress the treatment of Catholic Bishop Julius Jia by the Chinese Government; recognises the important work he has done in the community establishing an orphanage in 1991 for unwanted children; expresses its dismay at his treatment by the Chinese Government who ban him from worshipping and subject him to house arrest; notes that he has spent more than 20 years in jail, being arrested on more than 30 occasions; further notes that as Christmas approaches this is a particularly dangerous time for Bishop Jia; and calls on the Chinese Government to promote religious tolerance and allow Bishop Jia and Catholics across China to practise their faith.

That this House notes with distress the treatment of Catholic Bishop Julius Jia by the Chinese Government; recognises the important work he has done in the community establishing an orphanage in 1991 for unwanted children; expresses its dismay at his treatment by the Chinese Government who ban him from worshipping...

That this House backs the UK's bid to host the 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games; congratulates the bid team, led by London 2012, in submitting a first class bid to the International Olympic Committee; celebrates the fact that the Games would bring about tremendous benefits to the whole of the UK by boosting sport at all levels, creating jobs and opportunities for UK plc, boosting tourism, regenerating one of the most deprived parts of the UK, inspiring a generation to embrace sport and physical activity and in so doing helping to improve our nation's health; notes that the Games would provide an opportunity to showcase UK arts and culture to a global audience; and notes that the Games would instil a fantastic sense of pride throughout Britain in hosting the best Games the world has ever seen.

That this House backs the UK's bid to host the 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games; congratulates the bid team, led by London 2012, in submitting a first class bid to the International Olympic Committee; celebrates the fact that the Games would bring about tremendous benefits to the whole of...

That this House warmly commends the All Party Parliamentary Group on Integrated Education in Northern Ireland on the launch of its thoughtful Strategy for Integration which advocates that all parents should have the right to choose to send their children to an integrated school if they so desire; notes that 82 per cent. of people in Northern Ireland support integrated education and that 81 per cent. believe that bringing together children, parents, teachers and governors from all faiths and none is important in building peace and reconciliation but that 52 per cent. said that they did not send their child to an integrated school because there was not one in their local area and that demand outstrips supply with over 1,000 children being turned away each year; further notes that the document urges the Government to establish realistic levels of funding for the achievement of growth targets for integrated education, introduce measures to transform existing schools into integrated ones by supporting and funding a major conference, developing integrated teacher training in Northern Ireland, in line with the rest of higher education and strengthening the position of the Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education; and believes that by bringing Catholic, Protestant and children of other faiths together in a shared learning environment, they can learn to understand and respect, tolerate and celebrate all cultural and religious traditions and differences and thereby contribute to the growth of a culturally rich and self-confident society with a strong, shared identity.

That this House warmly commends the All Party Parliamentary Group on Integrated Education in Northern Ireland on the launch of its thoughtful Strategy for Integration which advocates that all parents should have the right to choose to send their children to an integrated school if they so desire; notes that...

That this House, in common with all parliaments of the Commonwealth, gladly observes Commonwealth Day on Monday 8th March; sincerely supports this year's theme of Building a Commonwealth of Freedom, emphasising the Commonwealth's commitment to being an effective defender of democratic freedoms, freedom of expression, the rule of law and robust civil societies; and recognises the work of the United Kingdom Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association as one of the many organisations committed to the continual strengthening and promotion of the Commonwealth.

That this House, in common with all parliaments of the Commonwealth, gladly observes Commonwealth Day on Monday 8th March; sincerely supports this year's theme of Building a Commonwealth of Freedom, emphasising the Commonwealth's commitment to being an effective defender of democratic freedoms, freedom of expression, the rule of law and...

That this House notes that February 2004 marks the 150th anniversary of Sir Edward Carson's (later Lord Carson) birth in Dublin; and, given the considerable impact the life of Sir Edward had on the peoples of both Great Britain and Ireland, calls upon the Government to press the Irish Republic's Government to mark this historic occasion in an appropriate manner.

That this House notes that February 2004 marks the 150th anniversary of Sir Edward Carson's (later Lord Carson) birth in Dublin; and, given the considerable impact the life of Sir Edward had on the peoples of both Great Britain and Ireland, calls upon the Government to press the Irish Republic's...

That this House notes the large-scale industrial action which took place across several Government departments and agencies on 29th and 30th January; and urges the Government to enter into meaningful discussions with the Public and Commercial Services Union to resolve this dispute as soon as possible.

That this House notes the large-scale industrial action which took place across several Government departments and agencies on 29th and 30th January; and urges the Government to enter into meaningful discussions with the Public and Commercial Services Union to resolve this dispute as soon as possible.

That this House notes that research published by the GMB Union and the University of Durham indicates that average gross pay in the United Kingdom is ??24,740 per annum; further notes that the top 23 areas in terms of average salary are all located in London and the South East of England; further notes that the City of London tops the average salary scale on ??51,000; further notes that the lowest levels of pay are in Scotland, Wales and the North of England with a pay difference of ??30,000; believes that this study gives yet another indication of the growing North-South economic divide within the United Kingdom; and calls on the Government to implement a genuine rural policy in order to combat growing wealth inequalities within the United Kingdom.

That this House notes that research published by the GMB Union and the University of Durham indicates that average gross pay in the United Kingdom is ??24,740 per annum; further notes that the top 23 areas in terms of average salary are all located in London and the South East...

That this House welcomes the NICE guidance on Xeloda, an innovative treatment for colorectal and breast cancer, which for the first time gives cancer patients the choice of treatment at home or in hospital; notes that NICE states that all patients should be offered the choice to receive Xeloda following discussions with their clinician; further notes the significance of the guidance in reinforcing the importance of patients being involved in making decisions about their treatment; and urges the Government to make funding and resources available so that this treatment is equally available to all eligible patients in England and Wales.

That this House welcomes the NICE guidance on Xeloda, an innovative treatment for colorectal and breast cancer, which for the first time gives cancer patients the choice of treatment at home or in hospital; notes that NICE states that all patients should be offered the choice to receive Xeloda following...

That this House supports liberal Muslims, human rights campaigners and others who are calling for an end to cruel traditional punishments for apostasy; recognises that in Christian and Jewish communities there has been a turning away from barbaric forms of punishment; and urges governments and religious communities everywhere to recognise that freedom does not exist where people have not the liberty to convert and practise faiths without extreme duress from family, community or religious law.

That this House supports liberal Muslims, human rights campaigners and others who are calling for an end to cruel traditional punishments for apostasy; recognises that in Christian and Jewish communities there has been a turning away from barbaric forms of punishment; and urges governments and religious communities everywhere to recognise...

That this House congratulates Methodist College Belfast Model UN team on their success in obtaining first place in this year's prestigious Yale University Model UN Conference; recognises they were the first school from Europe to participate in it amongst schools from Africa, Canada, the Near East, South America and the USA; and endorses this method as an educational tool and a vehicle for promoting international friendship.

That this House congratulates Methodist College Belfast Model UN team on their success in obtaining first place in this year's prestigious Yale University Model UN Conference; recognises they were the first school from Europe to participate in it amongst schools from Africa, Canada, the Near East, South America and the...

That this House congratulates the Methodist College Belfast Girl's Choir on winning the 'Sainsbury Youth Choir of the Year'; notes this continues the notable tradition in performing arts; and further notes that it reflects the positive side of Northern Ireland and its young people.

That this House congratulates the Methodist College Belfast Girl's Choir on winning the 'Sainsbury Youth Choir of the Year'; notes this continues the notable tradition in performing arts; and further notes that it reflects the positive side of Northern Ireland and its young people.

That this House congratulates the work of Help the Hospices in highlighting the work and needs of the hospice movement; points out that the Conservative Manifesto commitment at the last general election called for an increase in the NHS contribution for hospice funding from 32 per cent. to 40 per cent. for adult hospices and from four per cent. to 40 per cent. for children's hospices; acknowledges the tireless work of the dedicated staff and volunteers in providing tremendous and unswerving care to the terminally ill; and urges the Government to give the Help the Hospices recommendations their urgent attention.

That this House congratulates the work of Help the Hospices in highlighting the work and needs of the hospice movement; points out that the Conservative Manifesto commitment at the last general election called for an increase in the NHS contribution for hospice funding from 32 per cent. to 40 per...

That this House supports the Prime Minister's opposition to the politics of Jean Marie Le Pen and his description of Mr Le Pen's policies as repellent; notes that Sinn Fein/IRA have a similar percentage of the votes and have policies and association which are equally repellent to many in Northern Ireland, Great Britain and the wider world, yet are in Government in part of the United Kingdom; believes that the raid on the Special Branch offices in Castlereagh, the targeting of senior Conservative Party members and others, the training of FARC terrorists in Colombia, gunrunning from Florida and Russia, and the continued opposition to the legitimate forces of law and order are all actions which would be classed as being repellent and incompatible with holding positions of responsibility in Government; further notes the unity among the main political parties in the Irish Republic against including Sinn Fein in any coalition until the IRA has disbanded; and calls upon the Prime Minister to correct this inconsistency of approach by supporting the same standards of government for Northern Ireland as he holds for the rest of the United Kingdom and all other countries.

That this House supports the Prime Minister's opposition to the politics of Jean Marie Le Pen and his description of Mr Le Pen's policies as repellent; notes that Sinn Fein/IRA have a similar percentage of the votes and have policies and association which are equally repellent to many in Northern...

That this House expresses its concern to close police stations in Northern Ireland at the present time and, in particular, opposes the closure of York Road and Green Castle police stations in North Belfast where there has been an upsurge in violence and where people deserve to be reassured that security is being increased, not reduced.

That this House expresses its concern to close police stations in Northern Ireland at the present time and, in particular, opposes the closure of York Road and Green Castle police stations in North Belfast where there has been an upsurge in violence and where people deserve to be reassured that...

That this House urges the Government to make it an offence of breach of the peace if fireworks are used by private individuals on days other than 5th November, and to encourage the manufacturers to restrict the power and noise of fireworks to a reasonable limit.

That this House urges the Government to make it an offence of breach of the peace if fireworks are used by private individuals on days other than 5th November, and to encourage the manufacturers to restrict the power and noise of fireworks to a reasonable limit.

That this House challenges Selina Scott's comments in the Sunday Mail in which she regarded the comparison between Belfast and Dundee as an 'outrageous slur' on the city of Dundee; condemns BBC Political Editor Andrew Marr for his pseudo-defence of Belfast as 'a late Victorian, heavy industrial, Scottish city, just like Dundee'; questions whether Mr Marr has seen the modern developments which move Belfast beyond the Victorian age; and urges Ms Scott to recognise that Belfast and Dundee are held in the highest respect for their academic institutions.

That this House challenges Selina Scott's comments in the Sunday Mail in which she regarded the comparison between Belfast and Dundee as an 'outrageous slur' on the city of Dundee; condemns BBC Political Editor Andrew Marr for his pseudo-defence of Belfast as 'a late Victorian, heavy industrial, Scottish city, just...

That this House notes with concern that, notwithstanding the Autumn Statement, the pump price of diesel has increased by a further 4 pence per litre since that statement, causing a further devastating erosion of the viability and competitiveness of hauliers and other business; notes that the present price of diesel is 55 pence per litre in France, 54 pence per litre in Belgium and 48 pence per litre in Luxembourg; and calls on the Government to pursue with urgency within the European Union initiatives to establish a common level of duty and tax on diesel and petrol so as to achieve a level playing field for United Kingdom business and in the meantime to introduce a regulatory regime to control the pump prices of diesel by use of a variable rate of duty, thereby holding the pump price to 1999 levels for the next 12 months.

That this House notes with concern that, notwithstanding the Autumn Statement, the pump price of diesel has increased by a further 4 pence per litre since that statement, causing a further devastating erosion of the viability and competitiveness of hauliers and other business; notes that the present price of diesel...

That this House notes that October 2000 is the 50th Anniversary of China's military invasion of Tibet; recognises that human rights in Tibet have deteriorated since Britain and the European Union failed to sponsor a resolution expressing concern over China's human rights record at the Annual meeting of the United Nations Commission for Human Rights; and calls on Her Majesty's Government urgently to re-evaluate this policy, and to explore additional measures to persuade China to end the occupation of Tibet as a matter of priority.

That this House notes that October 2000 is the 50th Anniversary of China's military invasion of Tibet; recognises that human rights in Tibet have deteriorated since Britain and the European Union failed to sponsor a resolution expressing concern over China's human rights record at the Annual meeting of the United...

That this House Welcomes recommendation 1 of the 72 recommendations of the Waterhouse Inquiry that 'an Independent Children's Commissioner for Wales should be appointed'; recognises that this would be a service for all children in Wales; regards it as essential that such a post is also established in England; and calls upon the Government to bring forward the necessary legislation without delay.

That this House Welcomes recommendation 1 of the 72 recommendations of the Waterhouse Inquiry that 'an Independent Children's Commissioner for Wales should be appointed'; recognises that this would be a service for all children in Wales; regards it as essential that such a post is also established in England; and...