That this House welcomes the call made by the European Parliament's Agricultural Committee for an amnesty of three years on cross-compliance penalties relating to electronic identification of sheep and goats; notes that the committee made this call because this is a new and complex technology which will require some time for farmers to become accustomed to and for the systems to be road-tested; believes that such an amnesty would remove the current threat of high fines which Scottish farmers and crofters face as they struggle to cope with technology which has been shown to be far from perfect; and calls on the Government to seek the agreement of the European Commission for the early introduction of such an amnesty in the UK.

That this House welcomes the call made by the European Parliament's Agricultural Committee for an amnesty of three years on cross-compliance penalties relating to electronic identification of sheep and goats; notes that the committee made this call because this is a new and complex technology which will require some time...

That this House notes the forthcoming meeting of the Assembly of States Parties to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in May 2010 in Kampala to reach an international agreement on the definition of the crime of aggression and the jurisdiction of the ICC over this crime; further notes the division between those states that wish ICC jurisdiction to be subject to Security Council approval and those that believe the ICC should be able to investigate crimes of aggression without Security Council authorisation; reaffirms its support for the Security Council's primary role in the maintenance of international peace and security, as set out in the UN charter; recalls, however, that the veto power of the permanent members often prevents the Security Council from agreeing on action; and therefore urges the UK Government to press for the adoption of the so-called Red Light measure which would allow the ICC to exercise its jurisdiction over the crime of aggression if the Security Council was unable to make a decision, within an agreed time limit, on an application by the ICC to investigate an allegation of this crime.

That this House notes the forthcoming meeting of the Assembly of States Parties to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in May 2010 in Kampala to reach an international agreement on the definition of the crime of aggression and the jurisdiction of the ICC over this crime; further notes the division...

That this House welcomes National Manufacturing Week organised by the Engineering Employers Federation, which begins on 1 March 2010; appreciates the importance of British manufacturers in establishing a healthy and sustainable economy; notes that UK manufacturing currently accounts for 2.5 million jobs and 50 per cent. of British exports; further notes that despite an extension of the Enterprise Finance Guarantee to 31 March 2011, many small UK businesses are still not getting the support they need; recognises the potential that UK manufacturing holds in finding solutions to future challenges faced all over the world; and urges the Government to invest in long-term sustainability of the UK economy by supporting British manufacturers through this difficult economic climate.

That this House welcomes National Manufacturing Week organised by the Engineering Employers Federation, which begins on 1 March 2010; appreciates the importance of British manufacturers in establishing a healthy and sustainable economy; notes that UK manufacturing currently accounts for 2.5 million jobs and 50 per cent. of British exports; further...

That this House welcomes Fairtrade Fortnight from 22 February to 7 March 2010 and this year's Big Swap theme; commends the work of schools, churches and community groups across the country in promoting Fairtrade Fortnight; congratulates progress made by the Fairtrade Foundation in the UK with sales of Fairtrade products reaching ??712 million in 2008; notes recent progress in bringing Fairtrade into the mainstream with significant brand names, including KitKat, Dairy Milk, Tate and Lyle, Sainsburys and the Co-op, now exclusively sourcing Fairtrade-certified chocolate, sugar, tea and coffee; and calls on all relevant UK businesses to follow the example of these industry leaders, and to procure relevant goods from Fairtrade-certified sources.

That this House welcomes Fairtrade Fortnight from 22 February to 7 March 2010 and this year's Big Swap theme; commends the work of schools, churches and community groups across the country in promoting Fairtrade Fortnight; congratulates progress made by the Fairtrade Foundation in the UK with sales of Fairtrade products...

That this House commends the life-saving work of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) crews in coastal communities around the UK; recognises that this work would not be possible without the selfless generosity of 40,000 volunteers who offer their time freely; notes that 2009 was one of the busiest years on record for RNLI crews; and wishes the RNLI and their supporters every success in their fundraising efforts, including SOS Day 2010.

That this House commends the life-saving work of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) crews in coastal communities around the UK; recognises that this work would not be possible without the selfless generosity of 40,000 volunteers who offer their time freely; notes that 2009 was one of the busiest years...

That this House notes with sadness the death of Bill McLaren, rugby commentator, teacher, citizen of Hawick and family man; understands the importance he placed on education and community life; remembers fondly his vivid use of language; and recognises above all his dedication to rugby, and to its enjoyment by millions, over many decades.

That this House notes with sadness the death of Bill McLaren, rugby commentator, teacher, citizen of Hawick and family man; understands the importance he placed on education and community life; remembers fondly his vivid use of language; and recognises above all his dedication to rugby, and to its enjoyment by...

That this House welcomes the launch of a campaign by the Electrical Safety Council, the UK's only charity dedicated to electrical safety, to increase awareness of the dangers of purchasing unsafe goods via the internet and, in particular, shares the charity's concerns following independent safety testing which found that chargers bought from a range of online auction sites and retailers do not pass current UK safety standards; and further welcomes the online purchasing guide published by the charity, which gives advice to UK consumers on the safe purchasing of electrical goods online, and which has been made available free of charge to consumers via a dedicated website.

That this House welcomes the launch of a campaign by the Electrical Safety Council, the UK's only charity dedicated to electrical safety, to increase awareness of the dangers of purchasing unsafe goods via the internet and, in particular, shares the charity's concerns following independent safety testing which found that chargers...

That this House is extremely concerned about the serious delays in the issuing of tax repayments by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC); notes that HMRC regularly fails to meet its own four-week target for the completion of security checks; further notes that telephone and mail enquiries are frequently unanswered, and that the centralisation of the HMRC service has created confusion within the HMRC about which offices and individuals are handling each case, with the result that they are often neglected; further notes that this poor standard of service has come about following the Government's closure of local HMRC offices across the country on the grounds of improving efficiency; shares the dismay of those affected, particularly at a time when small businesses and the self-employed can least afford them; believes that this level of service is unacceptable; and calls on the Government to take immediate action to ensure that HMRC delivers a proper standard of service.

That this House is extremely concerned about the serious delays in the issuing of tax repayments by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC); notes that HMRC regularly fails to meet its own four-week target for the completion of security checks; further notes that telephone and mail enquiries are frequently unanswered,...

That this House notes the fourth anniversary of the G8 Gleneagles summit on 6 July 2009, and recalls the commitments made to the developing world at that summit, including to increase Official Development Assistance by $50 billion per year by 2010; deeply regrets the failure to honour these and other pledges in years of sustained global economic growth and believes that in a time of economic downturn concerted action to fulfil these outstanding pledges is now essential to prevent a dramatic reversal of progress towards the Millennium Development Goals; further notes the upcoming G8 summit in L'Aquila, Italy on 8-10 July 2009 as an opportunity to reaffirm the G8's commitment to meet its Gleneagles pledges, but is concerned that Italy, as chair and host nation, has the worst record of the G8 nations and has actually reduced its aid budget; and therefore calls on the Government to provide the necessary leadership on development issues to ensure that every member of the G8 recommits to the Gleneagles pledges and takes action to implement them.

That this House notes the fourth anniversary of the G8 Gleneagles summit on 6 July 2009, and recalls the commitments made to the developing world at that summit, including to increase Official Development Assistance by $50 billion per year by 2010; deeply regrets the failure to honour these and other...

That this House commends the work of Alive and Kicking, a charity which takes on previously unemployed adults in Kenya, Zambia and South Africa to hand-stitch durable sports balls for local communities; welcomes the opportunity that these sports balls give for children in some of the poorest communities in Africa to play games; notes that every job provided by Alive and Kicking usually supports an extended family of up to seven or eight people; recognises the importance of the health messages printed on the balls, which raise awareness of HIV and AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis; and wishes this innovative charity a successful future, particularly in the build-up to the 2010 World Cup which is to be held in South Africa.

That this House commends the work of Alive and Kicking, a charity which takes on previously unemployed adults in Kenya, Zambia and South Africa to hand-stitch durable sports balls for local communities; welcomes the opportunity that these sports balls give for children in some of the poorest communities in Africa...

That this House believes that the Fairtrade label is a respected marker indicating a just deal for producers in the developing world; notes the Olympic Games in London in 2012 present an opportunity to highlight the best of British sport and culture, while achieving a positive legacy for the development of London; further believes the Olympic Games also offer the opportunity to demonstrate Britain's global outlook and its commitment to international development; and therefore calls on all the bodies involved with the delivery of the 2012 Olympic Games to ensure that all relevant food, drink, and merchandise carries the Fairtrade label.

That this House believes that the Fairtrade label is a respected marker indicating a just deal for producers in the developing world; notes the Olympic Games in London in 2012 present an opportunity to highlight the best of British sport and culture, while achieving a positive legacy for the development...

That this House notes the devastating impact of conflict and armed violence on the lives of vulnerable people within the developing world; further notes the role that irresponsible arms trade plays in perpetuating such conflicts; believes a comprehensive, global arms trade treaty (ATT) based on respect for human rights and international humanitarian law would be instrumental in tackling illegal and irresponsible transfers of arms and ammunition; commends the Government's support for the ATT and its lead on the issue at the United Nations; recalls the opposition of the Bush administration to the ATT process and regrets that the US and Zimbabwe voted against the ATT process at the UN in October 2008; welcomes President Obama's stated multilateral and diplomatic approach to international affairs; and strongly urges the new US administration to reconsider the US's position on the Arms Trade Treaty.

That this House notes the devastating impact of conflict and armed violence on the lives of vulnerable people within the developing world; further notes the role that irresponsible arms trade plays in perpetuating such conflicts; believes a comprehensive, global arms trade treaty (ATT) based on respect for human rights and...

That this House notes the Regional Review Programme of Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) which will continue beyond April 2008; is concerned about the threat of closure of HMRC offices in non-urban areas such as Shropshire and Herefordshire; appreciates the high level of service provided by HMRC staff in such offices; recognises the pressures that would be placed on HMRC staff by having to travel further to their place of work; further notes the economic impact that would be imposed by such closures and the additional burdens which could be faced by customers in non-urban areas; and calls on the Government to withdraw the threat of HMRC office closures in all non-urban areas and to implement a full socio-economic review of the impact of such office closures in those areas affected by these draconian proposals.

That this House notes the Regional Review Programme of Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) which will continue beyond April 2008; is concerned about the threat of closure of HMRC offices in non-urban areas such as Shropshire and Herefordshire; appreciates the high level of service provided by HMRC staff in...

That this House welcomes Fairtrade Fortnight from 25th February to 9th March 2008; congratulates progress made by the Fairtrade Foundation in the UK with sales of Fairtrade products reaching ??284 million in 2006; notes that the UK is the most dynamic Fairtrade market with average annual growth of 40 per cent. and on current trends sales will exceed ??547 million by 2011; welcomes the Fairtrade Foundation's Fairtrade Schools Scheme which aims to ensure that children are educated on fair trade and development issues; notes Fairtrade's target of securing 2,000 primary and 500 secondary Fairtrade Schools by 2009 and urges all schools to sign up to the scheme; supports fair trade as an established way for developing communities to trade their way out of poverty; and further supports the recommendation of the International Development Committee that the Government encourages and funds proposals for the expansion of fair trade.

That this House welcomes Fairtrade Fortnight from 25th February to 9th March 2008; congratulates progress made by the Fairtrade Foundation in the UK with sales of Fairtrade products reaching ??284 million in 2006; notes that the UK is the most dynamic Fairtrade market with average annual growth of 40 per...

That this House notes that at least 72 million children worldwide do not receive any primary education and that 57 per cent. of these children are girls and 33 per cent. have a disability; further notes the Millennium Development Goal to achieve universal primary education by 2015 and is dismayed that according to the UN's most recent assessment the international community will not meet this target in sub-Saharan Africa and across Asia; supports the Global Campaign for Education and its belief that education is a universal human right and the key to poverty alleviation and sustainable human development; and therefore calls on the Government and the international community to redouble their efforts towards achieving free access to primary education worldwide by 2015.

That this House notes that at least 72 million children worldwide do not receive any primary education and that 57 per cent. of these children are girls and 33 per cent. have a disability; further notes the Millennium Development Goal to achieve universal primary education by 2015 and is dismayed...

That this House welcomes World Water Day on 22nd March; notes with great concern that over one billion people in the developing world do not have access to safe water, that water-related disease is the second biggest killer of children worldwide and that the average distance walked by women in Africa and Asia to collect water is four miles; encourages participation in Samaritan's Purse's Turn on the Tap walks in Westminster on 18th March and parliamentary constituencies on 10th May to highlight the issue; and supports the work of Samaritan's Purse and others who are contributing towards achieving Millennium Development Goal 7.3 to reduce by half the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water.

That this House welcomes World Water Day on 22nd March; notes with great concern that over one billion people in the developing world do not have access to safe water, that water-related disease is the second biggest killer of children worldwide and that the average distance walked by women in...

That this House congratulates Sierra Leone for its recent conduct of successful parliamentary and presidential elections, and the peaceful transition of power to the new regime; notes the important role of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy in providing training and support to the political parties in Sierra Leone; supports the Foundation's ongoing work in the country; further supports President Koroma's desire to tackle corruption; believes that Sierra Leone can now build on these elections to create a prosperous and democratic state; recognises the role that Britain and the United Nations played in bringing stability to Sierra Leone; welcomes the trial of Charles Taylor at the Special Court for Sierra Leone in the Hague; and hopes that the conclusion of this trial will allow Sierra Leone to leave its difficult past behind it.

That this House congratulates Sierra Leone for its recent conduct of successful parliamentary and presidential elections, and the peaceful transition of power to the new regime; notes the important role of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy in providing training and support to the political parties in Sierra Leone; supports the...

That this House welcomes the recent visit of representatives of the opposition movement in Burma to the Scottish Parliament; expresses its support for their campaign for freedom, justice and democracy in Burma; believes that all countries that share those values should put maximum pressure on the army generals at the head of the Burmese regime; notes that Burma has been heavily criticised by the United Nations for its crackdown on anti-government protests last month and the deaths and suffering caused to unarmed civilians; is therefore outraged that the First Minister of Scotland's most recent communication with the Burmese junta has been to ask for its help and support for his campaign for observer status for Scotland at the United Nations rather than in support of the international response to this crisis; believes that the First Minister could have avoided this situation if he had followed the agreed concordat with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and had discussed his letter to Burma with the FCO before it was sent; reiterates its wholehearted support for the pro-democracy protesters in Burma and condemns the oppressive actions of the military junta past and present; and calls on all political institutions, including the Office of the First Minister, to fully support international efforts to bring peace and democracy to Burma.

That this House welcomes the recent visit of representatives of the opposition movement in Burma to the Scottish Parliament; expresses its support for their campaign for freedom, justice and democracy in Burma; believes that all countries that share those values should put maximum pressure on the army generals at the...

That this House welcomes the recent visit of representatives of the opposition movement in Burma to the Scottish Parliament; expresses its support for their campaign for freedom, justice and democracy in Burma; believes that all countries that share those values should put maximum pressure on the army generals at the head of the Burmese regime; notes that Burma has been heavily criticised by the United Nations for its crackdown on anti-government protests last month and the deaths and suffering caused to unarmed civilians; is therefore outraged that the First Minister of Scotland's most recent communication with the Burmese junta has been to ask for its help and support for his campaign for observer status for Scotland at the United Nations rather than in support of the international response to this crisis; believes that the First Minister could have avoided this situation if he had followed the agreed concordat with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and had discussed his letter to Burma with the FCO before it was sent; reiterates its wholehearted support for the pro-democracy protesters in Burma and condemns the oppressive actions of the military junta past and present; and calls on all political institutions, including the Office of the First Minister, to fully support international efforts to bring peace and democracy to Burma.

That this House welcomes the recent visit of representatives of the opposition movement in Burma to the Scottish Parliament; expresses its support for their campaign for freedom, justice and democracy in Burma; believes that all countries that share those values should put maximum pressure on the army generals at the...

That this House notes with concern the plans by ITV to amalgamate regional news services across the United Kingdom, in particular to merge ITV Border with Tyne Tees leaving a much more limited news operation in Carlisle to cover the franchise area in the south of Scotland and the north of England; regrets that there have been no details provided about future news coverage for the south of Scotland; believes that the proposals represent an undermining of ITV's public service broadcasting obligations; further notes that the proposals do not comply with the current ITV Border franchise agreement and will therefore require approval by the regulator Ofcom; welcomes the willingness of Mr Michael Grade, and other senior managers at ITV, to meet hon. and right hon. Members representing constituencies in the region; urges ITV to re-consider the proposals; and further urges that if ITV does not revise its plans, Ofcom reject them.

That this House notes with concern the plans by ITV to amalgamate regional news services across the United Kingdom, in particular to merge ITV Border with Tyne Tees leaving a much more limited news operation in Carlisle to cover the franchise area in the south of Scotland and the north...