That this House welcomes the publication of The All Party Parliamentary Building Societies and Financial Mutuals Group Short Inquiry into financial mutuals and the Mutuo Report 'Mutuals and their Communities: how one in three enjoy the mutual advantage'; notes that both these reports demonstrate that mutuals are continuing to offer high quality services and good value to their members whilst maintaining their commitment to local communities; further notes that their presence in a mixed economy offers choice and competition; and calls upon Her Majesty's Treasury to take full account of the economic and social contribution of the mutual sector in its forthcoming Myners Report.

That this House welcomes the publication of The All Party Parliamentary Building Societies and Financial Mutuals Group Short Inquiry into financial mutuals and the Mutuo Report 'Mutuals and their Communities: how one in three enjoy the mutual advantage'; notes that both these reports demonstrate that mutuals are continuing to offer...

That this House congratulates the Methodist Church on its celebration of the tercentenary of the birth of John Wesley, born 17th June 1703, in Epworth, North Lincolnshire, renowned preacher and leader of the 'Methodist revival'; values his enormous contribution to the awakening of spiritual and social values in individuals and communities throughout the world; and further compliments the Methodist Church on its innovative website, www.wesley2003.org.uk.

That this House congratulates the Methodist Church on its celebration of the tercentenary of the birth of John Wesley, born 17th June 1703, in Epworth, North Lincolnshire, renowned preacher and leader of the 'Methodist revival'; values his enormous contribution to the awakening of spiritual and social values in individuals and...

That this House welcomes the publication of the Cambridge Centre for Housing and Planning Research's Report entitled, Partnerships for Financial Inclusion, which highlights the roles of building societies and housing associations can play in tackling financial exclusion for tenants; notes that one third of households in the UK currently do not have access to mainstream forms of credit and 1.5 million households use no financial products; further notes that building societies' mutual status means that they do not need to focus on shareholder return, so that they can get involved in projects proprietary companies cannot; and calls upon the Government to extend the powers of the Housing Corporation to allow it to provide start up funding for financial inclusion and community regeneration projects.

That this House welcomes the publication of the Cambridge Centre for Housing and Planning Research's Report entitled, Partnerships for Financial Inclusion, which highlights the roles of building societies and housing associations can play in tackling financial exclusion for tenants; notes that one third of households in the UK currently do...

That this House believes that social enterprises - businesses that are accountable to their members and the communities in which they operate - could play a major role in the delivery of a range of services to the public; welcomes the Second Reading given to the Industrial and Provident Societies Bill, which will provide a strong and stable framework within which these mutual organisations could grow and prosper, on a level playing field with other businesses; and calls on the Government to ensure that the Bill represents a pragmatic mechanism to facilitate a proper overhaul of Industrial and Provident legislation.

That this House believes that social enterprises - businesses that are accountable to their members and the communities in which they operate - could play a major role in the delivery of a range of services to the public; welcomes the Second Reading given to the Industrial and Provident Societies...

That this House notes that the Adoption and Children Bill prohibits two adults in a stable long-term relationship, but who are unmarried, from jointly adopting a child; believes that a child should have the right to a legal relationship with both parents; is aware that it is estimated that currently 40 per cent. of children are born outside marriage and that many adults live in committed relationships but not in marriage; observes that some adults in 2001 have a philosophical opposition to marriage and that this need not lessen their commitment to each other; is concerned that if joint adoption is restricted to married adults it can only reduce the opportunity for children to find adoptive parents at a time when there is already a shortage of adopters for many groups of children; notes that a recent Mori survey showed that 68 per cent. of respondents supported joined adoption by unmarried couples in stable long-term relationships; notes that the Secretary of State for Health said at Second Reading that it 'must be for the courts' to decide who is or is not an appropriate prospective parent; and concludes that it is time for this prohibition to be removed.

That this House notes that the Adoption and Children Bill prohibits two adults in a stable long-term relationship, but who are unmarried, from jointly adopting a child; believes that a child should have the right to a legal relationship with both parents; is aware that it is estimated that currently...