That this House warmly congratulates all the senior football clubs in Angus, Arbroath FC, Brechin FC, Forfar FC and Montrose FC, in declaring their respective grounds, Gayfield, Glebe Park, Station Park and Links Park, as breastfeeding friendly football grounds; commends their initiative as being a very positive and proactive step to making football grounds all across the country accessible to families, and women in particular; notes that almost 70 per cent of Scotland's 42 professional football clubs have now signed up to the breastfeeding friendly scheme; and looks forward to many more clubs in the UK joining them in the very near future.

That this House warmly congratulates all the senior football clubs in Angus, Arbroath FC, Brechin FC, Forfar FC and Montrose FC, in declaring their respective grounds, Gayfield, Glebe Park, Station Park and Links Park, as breastfeeding friendly football grounds; commends their initiative as being a very positive and proactive step...

That this House notes that the Declaration of Arbroath has been recognised as a UNESCO Memory of the World; welcomes the recognition of the international importance of the document and its influence on democracy and the significant impact on the Declaration of American Independence; recognises the long campaign for recognition of the importance of the Declaration; and hopes that, now this has been recognised, UNESCO will again look at granting world heritage status to Arbroath Abbey.

That this House notes that the Declaration of Arbroath has been recognised as a UNESCO Memory of the World; welcomes the recognition of the international importance of the document and its influence on democracy and the significant impact on the Declaration of American Independence; recognises the long campaign for recognition...

That this House believes retrospective legislation contradicts the principles that underpin a fair and competitive tax regime; further believes that people’s actions should only be judged under the law as it stood at the time; notes with concern that the legal definition of partners and changes to rules regarding double taxation agreements introduced through section 58(4) of the Finance Act 2008 were deemed always to have had effect; further notes that the Chartered Institute of Taxation called this measure extreme and unjustified, the Law Society said it was wrong in principle and the Institute of Chartered Accountants said it sent out a damaging signal about the stability of the UK tax system; further notes HM Treasury’s estimate that up to 2,200 taxpayers are affected by these changes; further notes a survey by the No To Retro Tax campaign which suggests that 38 per cent of those affected will be bankrupted and 47 per cent will have to sell their homes; further notes with concern the explanation that retrospective legislation was introduced in this instance to remove the need for costly and protracted litigation; questions why, if section 58 did not change the legal situation, there was any need to introduce it; further notes previous comments from the Chancellor of the Exchequer that retrospective legislation in tax matters will be confined to wholly exceptional circumstances; further questions in what way this arrangement was exceptional; and further believes that those affected by the legislation should have their actions judged according to the law as it stood at the time.

That this House believes retrospective legislation contradicts the principles that underpin a fair and competitive tax regime; further believes that people’s actions should only be judged under the law as it stood at the time; notes with concern that the legal definition of partners and changes to rules regarding double...

That this House notes the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets' (Ofgem) review of the electricity transmission network, Project Transmit which was due to decide on a new transmission charging regime in 2012; believes that the current model of transmission charging is outdated and renewable generators are being penalised both for the location of their plants and in the way in which they generate electricity; suggests that a new charging regime is urgently needed to encourage investment in renewable technologies in Scotland and take advantage of its wind, wave and tidal resources; urges Ofgem to make public its decision-making timetable so that industry has clarity about when the new regime will be in place; and further notes that this clarity is needed to continue to stimulate investment in renewable energy in Scotland.

That this House notes the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets' (Ofgem) review of the electricity transmission network, Project Transmit which was due to decide on a new transmission charging regime in 2012; believes that the current model of transmission charging is outdated and renewable generators are being penalised both...

That this House notes that at the start of this year's Fair-Trade Fortnight Scotland became a Fair Trade nation; and congratulates the many groups and individuals throughout Scotland who have tirelessly campaigned for fair trade in their communities, schools and places of work to bring about this magnificent achievement.

That this House notes that at the start of this year's Fair-Trade Fortnight Scotland became a Fair Trade nation; and congratulates the many groups and individuals throughout Scotland who have tirelessly campaigned for fair trade in their communities, schools and places of work to bring about this magnificent achievement.

That this House expresses its alarm that the regulator, Ofcom has failed to register the dangers to Royal Mail's provision of the universal service obligation; notes in particular, that Ofcom has allowed the introduction of delivery competition without putting into place any safeguards to ensure that Royal Mail can fund the universal service, in the event of the loss of a substantial amount of delivery work; further notes that Ofcom has placed no obligation on competitors to meet Royal Mail delivery standards, or even to publish details of delivery performance in a manner accessible to customers and the public; and therefore calls on the regulator to reconsider its decision and ensure that Royal Mail is not subjected to unfair competition in delivery provision.

That this House expresses its alarm that the regulator, Ofcom has failed to register the dangers to Royal Mail's provision of the universal service obligation; notes in particular, that Ofcom has allowed the introduction of delivery competition without putting into place any safeguards to ensure that Royal Mail can fund...

That this House notes that, under current VAT legislation, food for assistance dogs is not VAT-exempt but that food for other working dogs, such as sheepdogs and greyhounds, is; further notes that working dogs' food is exempt as they require a high-protein diet but that such a diet is not appropriate for assistance dogs as they work in a different manner; considers that, where a charitable organisation was to supply food for assistance dogs from donations, an exemption from VAT would result in significant savings, which could be used to assist their client group; believes that this issue could be easily resolved to the benefit of relevant charitable organisations and individual owners who feed their own assistance dogs; and calls on the Chancellor of the Exchequer to consider this matter with a view to bringing forward such an exemption.

That this House notes that, under current VAT legislation, food for assistance dogs is not VAT-exempt but that food for other working dogs, such as sheepdogs and greyhounds, is; further notes that working dogs' food is exempt as they require a high-protein diet but that such a diet is not...

That this House notes the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets' (Ofgem) review of the electricity transmission network, Project Transmit; welcomes its preliminary recommendations as a step towards a fairer charging regime for projects on the Scottish mainland; hopes that these reforms will encourage investment in renewable technologies in Scotland, which is home to the best wind, wave and tidal resources in the UK; believes that the charges quoted by Ofgem for Scotland's islands could make development uneconomic and may harm the emerging wave and tidal sector there; underlines the importance of Scotland's islands in the production of clean renewable electricity; and urges Ofgem to take action in ensuring a fairer charging framework for Scottish islands during the transition to a low carbon economy.

That this House notes the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets' (Ofgem) review of the electricity transmission network, Project Transmit; welcomes its preliminary recommendations as a step towards a fairer charging regime for projects on the Scottish mainland; hopes that these reforms will encourage investment in renewable technologies in Scotland,...

That this House condemns proposals by HM Treasury to extend air passenger duty to cover helicopters transferring workers to offshore drilling platforms; notes this move would cost the offshore oil and gas industry in excess of 165 million a year; believes that this additional burden would threaten jobs and investment and drive up domestic energy prices; and calls on the Government to abandon these proposals and transfer responsibility for air passenger duty in Scotland from Westminster to the Scottish Parliament, as recommended by the Calman Commission.

That this House condemns proposals by HM Treasury to extend air passenger duty to cover helicopters transferring workers to offshore drilling platforms; notes this move would cost the offshore oil and gas industry in excess of 165 million a year; believes that this additional burden would threaten jobs and investment...

That this House congratulates Brechin City Football Club on its magnificent achievement in reaching the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup for the first time in its long history; further congratulates the players and Manager, Jim Weir; notes that Brechin City is one of the last remaining clubs owned by its members; regrets the decision of broadcasters not to cover the match on television; and calls on them to reconsider the decision and allow Brechiners everywhere to join in this historic occasion.

That this House congratulates Brechin City Football Club on its magnificent achievement in reaching the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup for the first time in its long history; further congratulates the players and Manager, Jim Weir; notes that Brechin City is one of the last remaining clubs owned by its...

That this House believes that vital and vibrant high streets are the focal point for economically successful communities; further believes that, at a time when economic downturn has contributed to the closure of over 12,000 high street shops, planning rules must incentivise town centre development, regeneration and retail diversity; and calls on the Government to bring forward amendments to the Localism Bill to include a duty to promote sustainable high streets in order to ensure that local people have the legal power they need to promote the shops they want and to resist those they do not want in places they will do harm, thereby securing the future of local high streets.

That this House believes that vital and vibrant high streets are the focal point for economically successful communities; further believes that, at a time when economic downturn has contributed to the closure of over 12,000 high street shops, planning rules must incentivise town centre development, regeneration and retail diversity; and...

That this House notes with concern the programme of closures of local driving test centres, including Arbroath and Forfar in Angus constituency; further notes that there have been 22 such closures in the last two years and that many such closures are being undertaken without any consultation with those directly affected or the local community; believes such closures are against the Government's own announced policy of localism; and calls on the Department for Transport to suspend immediately any such closures and to instruct the Driving Standards Agency that no closures may be undertaken without a full public consultation.

That this House notes with concern the programme of closures of local driving test centres, including Arbroath and Forfar in Angus constituency; further notes that there have been 22 such closures in the last two years and that many such closures are being undertaken without any consultation with those directly...

That this House congratulates Royal Mail employees in their sterling efforts to keep mail deliveries going in Scotland despite the recent atrocious weather; contrasts this with the decision of several private delivery services to abandon all attempts to deliver in Scotland; believes that this demonstrates the difference between Royal Mail's social obligations under universal service and the attitude of private operators; and calls upon the Government to abandon plans to privatise Royal Mail or, at the very least, to state that no company which has shown itself unwilling to continue deliveries in these circumstances would be considered as a purchaser or partner of Royal Mail.

That this House congratulates Royal Mail employees in their sterling efforts to keep mail deliveries going in Scotland despite the recent atrocious weather; contrasts this with the decision of several private delivery services to abandon all attempts to deliver in Scotland; believes that this demonstrates the difference between Royal Mail's...

That this House welcomes the re-opening on 12 December 2010 of the rail line between Bathgate in West Lothian andAirdrie in North Lanarkshire, linking the east coast of Scotland through Edinburgh Waverley station with the west coast of Scotland through Glasgow Queen Street station to Dumbarton, Helensburgh and Balloch; and recognises the benefits in terms of employment, business and leisure opportunities that this will open up for the communities of Livingston, Bathgate, Armadale, Whitburn, Blackridge, Caldercruix and Airdrie along the new route, with similar benefits to the people living on the rail line to the west of Glasgow in Helensburgh, Dumbarton and other communities from having a new direct rail link to Livingston and Edinburgh following the re-opening of this vital rail link.

That this House welcomes the re-opening on 12 December 2010 of the rail line between Bathgate in West Lothian andAirdrie in North Lanarkshire, linking the east coast of Scotland through Edinburgh Waverley station with the west coast of Scotland through Glasgow Queen Street station to Dumbarton, Helensburgh and Balloch; and...

That this House condemns the Government's refusal to give Scotland the promised immediate and unconditional access to 191 million of Scotland's fossil fuel levy monies; expresses concern at proposals within the Comprehensive Spending Review to place the money in a green investment bank; notes that Ministers have providedno details on the timing of the bank's creation, its governance, business model or funding sources; and believes that the Government's action is damaging to Scotland's economy, and that these funds should be released to invest in key renewables projects and jobs without further delay.

That this House condemns the Government's refusal to give Scotland the promised immediate and unconditional access to 191 million of Scotland's fossil fuel levy monies; expresses concern at proposals within the Comprehensive Spending Review to place the money in a green investment bank; notes that Ministers have providedno details on...

That this House notes that whilst the basic state pension is being increased by 2.5 per cent. in April 2010 additional state pensions are being frozen; further notes that State Pension Information Booklet BR33 sets out the situation when a pensioner defers taking their basic state pension and states categorically `When your state pension increases every April, your extra state pension will increase as well'; further notes that many pensioners deferred taking their pension on this assurance; believes that by failing to increase the additional state pension the Government has broken this assurance to pensioners; and calls upon the Government to honour its commitment and increase the additional pension along with the basic state pension.

That this House notes that whilst the basic state pension is being increased by 2.5 per cent. in April 2010 additional state pensions are being frozen; further notes that State Pension Information Booklet BR33 sets out the situation when a pensioner defers taking their basic state pension and states categorically...

That this House is appalled by a surge in energy companies' profits during the coldest winter for 30 years; believes that the big six energy producers should rightly pass on the massive reduction in wholesale energy prices they have been enjoying since 2008; recognises that positive steps, such as the Scottish Government's Energy Assistance Package, bring welcome help for the fuel poor; and calls for firmer action from the UK Government to help the increasing number of people suffering in fuel poverty.

That this House is appalled by a surge in energy companies' profits during the coldest winter for 30 years; believes that the big six energy producers should rightly pass on the massive reduction in wholesale energy prices they have been enjoying since 2008; recognises that positive steps, such as the...

That this House welcomes confirmation that Scotland is edging ever closer to meeting its 40 per cent. recycling target as new figures show that the country is recycling 35.9 per cent. of waste; notes the figures from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, which include figures from the second quarter of 2009, also show that, for the first time ever, the majority of Scotland's local authorities met or exceeded the 2010 target to recycle over 40 per cent. of municipal solid waste; recalls that before devolution, Scotland was almost wholly dependent on landfill, an out of sight and out of mind approach that was unsustainable and damaging to the environment; believes that with this is mind, it is a fantastic achievement for the same local authorities to be now recycling nearly half of their waste; and further believes these figures are testament to the hard work of households, businesses and the public sector.

That this House welcomes confirmation that Scotland is edging ever closer to meeting its 40 per cent. recycling target as new figures show that the country is recycling 35.9 per cent. of waste; notes the figures from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, which include figures from the second quarter of...

That this House welcomes the progression of plans to build an offshore electricity transmission network linking Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland; recognises that this grid will maximise the use of renewable energy from wind and wave power in Scotland; notes that harnessing Scotland's green wind and marine energy potential has the potential to create thousands of green jobs across the country; further recognises that Scotland is taking a global lead on the fight against climate change and is working hard with its partners across Europe, and the world, to develop green economic opportunities for Scotland and a sustainable future for the planet.

That this House welcomes the progression of plans to build an offshore electricity transmission network linking Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland; recognises that this grid will maximise the use of renewable energy from wind and wave power in Scotland; notes that harnessing Scotland's green wind and marine energy potential has...

That this House welcomes the approval by the Scottish Government for the upgrade of the Beauly - Denny power line to harness, transmit and export Scottish renewable energy; notes that the upgrade will boost grid capacity along the line and unlock Scotland's onshore and offshore renewables potential; further welcomes the conditions set by Scottish Ministers to protect the interests of communities and minimise the impact on the environment along the line; and further notes that there are over 50 potential projects totalling around 4.2 gigawatts in the north of Scotland, two-thirds of peak Scottish demand, meaning that the Beauly - Denny upgrade will help unlock Scotland's renewable energy potential.

That this House welcomes the approval by the Scottish Government for the upgrade of the Beauly - Denny power line to harness, transmit and export Scottish renewable energy; notes that the upgrade will boost grid capacity along the line and unlock Scotland's onshore and offshore renewables potential; further welcomes the...