That this House notes with concern the sudden and unexpected decision by the British Geological Survey (BGS) to close the world-leading offshore and onshore hydrocarbon core repositories and samples stores in Gilmerton and Loanhead; deplores the decision to ignore the concerns of the many active academic and business stakeholders; notes that there currently is no alternative facility for these unique samples; rejects claims that this closure will result in efficiency savings or better science; further notes the announcement of the closure by BGS management in August 2009, a month before the consultant's report was finalised and published; further notes that there is no evidence of any geoscientist or other academic user, service user or oil industry stakeholder being consulted about this move and that the consultative group had no representative of the sponsoring Department, nor any scientist or other member who could credibly represent the views of Gilmerton and Loanhead's main users; regrets that BGS management cannot guarantee the safe transport of the historic core stock; further notes that the management dispensed with 24/7 security two years ago; further notes the failure of the Tribal Group to consider all options and the discrepancies between its report and its final recommendations; calls on the Government to halt the closure plan; and calls on the National Audit Office to carry out an assessment of the costs and a value-for-money audit of these proposals.

That this House notes with concern the sudden and unexpected decision by the British Geological Survey (BGS) to close the world-leading offshore and onshore hydrocarbon core repositories and samples stores in Gilmerton and Loanhead; deplores the decision to ignore the concerns of the many active academic and business stakeholders; notes...

That this House congratulates the achievement of Edinburgh Napier University in receiving the Queen's Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education for 2009, awarded biennially to reward universities and colleges that demonstrate work of a world-class standard of excellence; notes this award was made in recognition of the outstanding contribution to knowledge exchange made by the Building Performance Centre for innovative housing construction for environmental benefit and quality of life; and further notes that this recognition complements the world-leading classification awarded to the University's Architecture and Built Environment expertise during the Research Assessment Exercise 2008.

That this House congratulates the achievement of Edinburgh Napier University in receiving the Queen's Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education for 2009, awarded biennially to reward universities and colleges that demonstrate work of a world-class standard of excellence; notes this award was made in recognition of the outstanding contribution...

That this House welcomes the Climate Change Act 2008 as the world's first example of a government adopting a legally binding target based on the scientific evidence of the scale of greenhouse gas emissions reductions required to avoid dangerous climate change; welcomes the Committee on Climate Change's advice for an intended 42 per cent. 2020 target; believes adopting this target now would show continued international leadership on climate change legislation; and calls on the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change to adopt an immediate target to cut greenhouse gas emissions within the UK by 42 per cent. by 2020.

That this House welcomes the Climate Change Act 2008 as the world's first example of a government adopting a legally binding target based on the scientific evidence of the scale of greenhouse gas emissions reductions required to avoid dangerous climate change; welcomes the Committee on Climate Change's advice for an...

That this House welcomes the Prime Minister's decision to ask the Shadow Committee on Climate Change for early advice on the Climate Change Bill to inform the final stages of debate in Parliament; congratulates the Committee and its chair Lord Turner for providing robust advice despite the time pressure; welcomes their recommendation that the United Kingdom should be more ambitious in its target with cuts in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050; further welcomes Lord Turner's further statement that this should include all emissions, including aviation and shipping; and urges all parties to support amendments to incorporate these changes in the Climate Change Bill.

That this House welcomes the Prime Minister's decision to ask the Shadow Committee on Climate Change for early advice on the Climate Change Bill to inform the final stages of debate in Parliament; congratulates the Committee and its chair Lord Turner for providing robust advice despite the time pressure; welcomes...

That this House recognises the importance at the onset of a disaster of providing information people need, at the time they need it, in a format which is easy to use; commends the development of the All in Diary as a practical tool for humanitarian workers which provides a comprehensive, single source of the most up-to-date information and tools for use in emergencies; congratulates the authors for their vision and tenacity in bringing this project to fruition with limited resources; supports the All in Diary's principle of equal access to information for all local, national and international humanitarian workers; encourages the commitment to improve collaboration with and accountability to national governments and communities affected by disaster; and calls on those involved in the humanitarian sector to acknowledge and support this project.

That this House recognises the importance at the onset of a disaster of providing information people need, at the time they need it, in a format which is easy to use; commends the development of the All in Diary as a practical tool for humanitarian workers which provides a comprehensive,...

That this House welcomes the proposal from Stephen Hockman QC, Chris Osborne and LECG to establish an International Court for the Environment, as the supreme legal authority for settling issues regarding harm to the environment, and for specifying the ecological conditions which must be met if the biosphere is to operate effectively without a major disruption to human communities and other life; notes that a symposium on this is being held in the British Library on 28th November; and calls on the Government and business to combine to support such a measure for the sake of a sustainable future.

That this House welcomes the proposal from Stephen Hockman QC, Chris Osborne and LECG to establish an International Court for the Environment, as the supreme legal authority for settling issues regarding harm to the environment, and for specifying the ecological conditions which must be met if the biosphere is to...

That this House condemns the decision of the Scottish National Party (SNP) in Scotland to cut ??10 million in real terms from the free buses transport budget for senior citizens, disabled people and those aged over 60 years; notes that this comes on top of the 10 per cent. increase forced by the SNP in Edinburgh and elsewhere on fares, due to its failure to pass on the Treasury's fuel duty payments; deplores any attempt to restrict the bus pass to those aged over 65 years; further notes that, yet again, the SNP is adopting an anti-environmental policy and undermining bus use in Scotland; and calls on the SNP to reverse this decision.

That this House condemns the decision of the Scottish National Party (SNP) in Scotland to cut ??10 million in real terms from the free buses transport budget for senior citizens, disabled people and those aged over 60 years; notes that this comes on top of the 10 per cent. increase...

That this House notes with regret the decision taken by the Scottish National Party-led administration to penalise bus users with an inflation-busting 10 per cent. fares rise in Edinburgh and elsewhere because of its refusal to pass on to Scottish bus operators the UK Government's fuel duty rebate; and further notes the results of the Competition Commission's examination of the Scottish Government's budget revealed that no fuel duty will be rebated in the next three years, as a consequence of which Scottish bus passengers will be forced to pay higher fares which will damage the UK Government's aim of encouraging greater use of public transport.

That this House notes with regret the decision taken by the Scottish National Party-led administration to penalise bus users with an inflation-busting 10 per cent. fares rise in Edinburgh and elsewhere because of its refusal to pass on to Scottish bus operators the UK Government's fuel duty rebate; and further...

That this House recognises the bravery of the female and male pilots from the UK, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, Canada, Sri Lanka, Chile, China, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Eire, Estonia, France, Holland, India, Malaya, Mauritius, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Siam, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland and the USA who served in the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA) during World War II ferrying Spitfires and other war planes from factories to airfields, and between airfields; deeply regrets the loss of life of pilots like record-breaking Amy Johnson during her service in the ATA; congratulates the Government on giving consideration to a badge of honour for all the survivors of the ATA; and expresses its appreciation to the ATA Association and to Giles Whittell for highlighting the feats of many of these pilots in his book Spitfire Women of World War II.

That this House recognises the bravery of the female and male pilots from the UK, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, Canada, Sri Lanka, Chile, China, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Eire, Estonia, France, Holland, India, Malaya, Mauritius, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Siam, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland and the USA who served...

That this House welcomes the introduction of the Climate Change Bill to Parliament and the United Nations Development Programme's (UNDP's) recent Human Development Report which described the Bill as a bold and innovative proposal to create a national carbon budget; notes however that the UNDP also warned that the Bill needed improving as its targets were not ambitious enough, and international aviation emissions were excluded, meaning that even if the Bill were applied to every developed country, global temperature would rise well beyond the two degrees Celsius limit and perhaps as high as four or five degrees; congratulates the Prime Minister on his speech on 19th November 2007, when he acknowledged the evidence now suggests that as part of an international agreement developed countries may have to reduce their emissions by up to 80 per cent.; and urges the Government to support amendments to the Bill during its passage through Parliament to address the UNDP concerns, making it an unequivocally world-leading response to climate change.

That this House welcomes the introduction of the Climate Change Bill to Parliament and the United Nations Development Programme's (UNDP's) recent Human Development Report which described the Bill as a bold and innovative proposal to create a national carbon budget; notes however that the UNDP also warned that the Bill...

That this House welcomes the Foresight Report Tackling Obesities: Future Choices; notes with considerable concern its forecast that, by 2050, 70 per cent. of girls and 55 per cent. of boys will be overweight or obese; also welcomes the study by the World Cancer Research Fund that demonstrates a link between poor diet and an increased risk of cancer; notes that an unhealthy diet is also linked to cardiovascular health problems, diabetes and mental health problems; welcomes the forthcoming introduction of the Food Products (Marketing to Children) Bill that seeks to introduce a 9 p.m. watershed for television advertising of unhealthy food and stop the promotion of unhealthy food to children across all non-broadcast media; and finally notes that this Bill is supported by a range of expert groups in the fields of health, consumer rights and children's welfare, as well as the majority of parents.

That this House welcomes the Foresight Report Tackling Obesities: Future Choices; notes with considerable concern its forecast that, by 2050, 70 per cent. of girls and 55 per cent. of boys will be overweight or obese; also welcomes the study by the World Cancer Research Fund that demonstrates a link...

That this House notes with dismay the dictatorial practices of President Robert Mugabe which have reduced the people of Zimbabwe to poverty and a state of terror; further notes his brutal suppression of political opponents and his attacks on non-governmental organisations providing humanitarian aid; further notes that the University of Edinburgh bestowed an honorary degree on Mugabe when he made a positive contribution to the political rights of the majority of the population; but now concludes that the university should swiftly withdraw this degree in the light of the recent oppressive and brutal regime over which he is presiding.

That this House notes with dismay the dictatorial practices of President Robert Mugabe which have reduced the people of Zimbabwe to poverty and a state of terror; further notes his brutal suppression of political opponents and his attacks on non-governmental organisations providing humanitarian aid; further notes that the University of...

That this House notes with alarm the disreputable actions of Jacques Arnold in falsifying a letter from the Assistant Serjeant-at-Arms, distributing it to the media and misrepresenting its findings which rejected his complaints unreservedly against the honourable Member for Gravesham; considers Jacques Arnold's actions to be those of a dishonest and disreputable man; and calls for Jacques Arnold to be brought before the bar of the House to explain his deceitful misuse of the Serjeant-at-Arms' letter, apologise to the Serjeant-at-Arms and to the House, and accept whatever punishment the House decides for such a grave offence.

That this House notes with alarm the disreputable actions of Jacques Arnold in falsifying a letter from the Assistant Serjeant-at-Arms, distributing it to the media and misrepresenting its findings which rejected his complaints unreservedly against the honourable Member for Gravesham; considers Jacques Arnold's actions to be those of a dishonest...

That this House is alarmed at the threat to the future of the planet from global warming; notes with concern the decision of President Bush to reject the Kyoto Protocols following the Rio Convention signed by this father, and that his Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill warns that the proposed global warming treaty does not go far enough, and that scientists on the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Control warn that the earth is warming faster than they predicted six years ago; further notes that without the treaty, US carbon dioxide emissions are projected to increase by 34 per cent. of 1990 levels by 2012, and that each person in the developing world produces about 2 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year from fuel combustion while every European produces about 12 tonnes and every US citizen about 20 tonnes and that in 1999 the US produced 5,558 billion kilos of carbon dioxide; recalls that 84 countries agreed to the Kyoto Protocols and that leading senators and representatives have tabled a cross-party Bill calling for US utility companies to meet Kyoto targets; and urges Coca Cola, which helped fund President Bush's election, to campaign to persuade the President to endorse the Kyoto agreement in Bonn in July,

That this House is alarmed at the threat to the future of the planet from global warming; notes with concern the decision of President Bush to reject the Kyoto Protocols following the Rio Convention signed by this father, and that his Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill warns that the proposed global...

That this House cherishes Christmas Day as a special day, particularly for families and children, and welcomes the campaign by USDAW, the shopworkers' union, on behalf of the 2.6 million shopworkers of United Kingdom; regrets that many shops remain open on Christmas Day because employers put undue pressure on shop workers to abandon their family responsibilities on this important religious and public holiday; notes that the vast majority of shop workers are parents who should be able to spend Christmas with their children; notes that current law offers no protection to such workers when Christmas Day does not fall on a Sunday; further notes that Christmas is an extremely busy and stressful period for shop workers and believes that they deserve at least one day off; and calls on the Government to protect shopworkers on Christmas Day.

That this House cherishes Christmas Day as a special day, particularly for families and children, and welcomes the campaign by USDAW, the shopworkers' union, on behalf of the 2.6 million shopworkers of United Kingdom; regrets that many shops remain open on Christmas Day because employers put undue pressure on shop...

That this House congratulates the honourable Member for Luton South for presenting a Ten Minute Rule Bill to crack down on rogue traders; acknowledges that thousands of people are victims of unfair trading practices such as oppressive selling tactics, unjustifiably high prices and shoddy workmanship; welcomes the Public Accounts Committee's excellent report, 'The Office of Fair Trading: protecting the consumer from unfair trading practices', highlighting the failure of the current legislation; congratulates bodies such as the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux and the National Consumer Council on their campaign to reform the law; and urges the Government either to support the Rogue Traders Bill or include a Consumer Bill in the next Queen's Speech.

That this House congratulates the honourable Member for Luton South for presenting a Ten Minute Rule Bill to crack down on rogue traders; acknowledges that thousands of people are victims of unfair trading practices such as oppressive selling tactics, unjustifiably high prices and shoddy workmanship; welcomes the Public Accounts Committee's...

That this House believes that every child should have a holiday; congratulates the Family Holiday Association for organising a millennium project, Time2Care, to provide holidays for every child in residential care during 2000; notes there are around 6,000 children in care, many from deprived backgrounds and many who have disabilities; further notes Time2Care will help many socially excluded children in every part of the country and in almost every constituency; congratulates the industry for pledging ??2 million pounds worth of holidays to the Time2Care project and Steven Freudmann, the President of ABTA, for nominating Time2Care as his President's Charity for 1999; and urges the Government to ensure this project is fully supported.

That this House believes that every child should have a holiday; congratulates the Family Holiday Association for organising a millennium project, Time2Care, to provide holidays for every child in residential care during 2000; notes there are around 6,000 children in care, many from deprived backgrounds and many who have disabilities;...

That this House notes with concern the report from the Law Society of Scotland censuring Andrew Renton of Simpson and Marwick solicitors for 'unprofessional conduct to be deplored'; in relation to his dealings with ERDC construction company; also deplores the actions of Simpson and Marwick in using every device to frustrate the arbitration procedures of the Law Society of Scotland, forcing other parties to bear disproportionate costs and suffer intolerable delays; notes that in the case of ERDC construction company, this resulted in Simpson and Marwick engineering a five year delay in settling an account, with consequential costs rising from ??65,000 to over ??250,000, mainly in lawyers' bills, forcing ERDC to divert resources from expanding their business and creating skilled jobs, to paying hefty legal bills for each challenge Simpson and Marwick made to the arbiter's findings in favour of ERDC; calls on the Law Society of Scotland to investigate why this arbitration took so many years, and to consider revising its procedures to ensure that its lawyer members do not frustrate arbitration at every turn and add crippling amounts to other parties in lawyers' bills; regrets that the delay in the ERDC case is a grave blow to public confidence in the arbitration system endorsed by the Law Society of Scotland; and further regrets that the Law Society of Scotland did not require its member Simpson and Marwick to pay any compensation to ERDC for its 'unprofessional conduct'; and urges the society to consider what payment in compensation is commensurate with the offence.

That this House notes with concern the report from the Law Society of Scotland censuring Andrew Renton of Simpson and Marwick solicitors for 'unprofessional conduct to be deplored'; in relation to his dealings with ERDC construction company; also deplores the actions of Simpson and Marwick in using every device to...

That this House congratulates the Government in ensuring that the application for extradition by the Spanish judicial authorities of General Pinochet is being properly dealt with in accordance with international law; and recalls the crimes and atrocities, including the torture and murder of thousands of Chilean civilians which he instigated as dictator of Chile.

That this House congratulates the Government in ensuring that the application for extradition by the Spanish judicial authorities of General Pinochet is being properly dealt with in accordance with international law; and recalls the crimes and atrocities, including the torture and murder of thousands of Chilean civilians which he instigated...

That this House notes with concern the potential for yet more injuries and fatalities from aerial shell fireworks over Christmas and the New Year; regrets that the Minister has failed to heed warnings about these shells which have now killed three people; notes that the Minister has emergency powers under the Consumer Protection Act 1987 to ban the sale of these fireworks to the general public and calls on him to exercise those powers without delay; notes that these calls echo those of the West Yorkshire Coroner, Mr David Hinchcliff, and the West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service; and notes that unless such a ban is instituted without delay aerial shells will enter the supply chain and be freely available in the run up to next year's bonfire night.

That this House notes with concern the potential for yet more injuries and fatalities from aerial shell fireworks over Christmas and the New Year; regrets that the Minister has failed to heed warnings about these shells which have now killed three people; notes that the Minister has emergency powers under...