That this House recognises the important role played by the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington DC since it opened its doors to the public on 24 September 2016, documenting and enabling the study of the life, history and culture of African Americans; notes that it serves as a place of collaboration to work with many other museums and educational institutions that have explored and preserved this important history; asserts the national importance of the life, history and culture of Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities in the UK and their global influences; believes that there should be a DCMS-sponsored national UK museum for the study of Black, Asian and minority ethnic history and culture on a similar scale and model to the Washington Museum; and calls on the Government, whilst reviewing inequalities’ issues generally, to make an assessment of the potential merits of such a national museum.

That this House recognises the important role played by the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington DC since it opened its doors to the public on 24 September 2016, documenting and enabling the study of the life, history and culture of African Americans; notes that...

That this House welcomes the setting up by the National Association of Pensions Funds of the independent Workplace Retirement Income Commission, under the chairmanship of Lord McFall of Alcluith; notes that by 2030, the number of people over 65 years will be around 50 per cent. higher than today, and that while age-related public spending on health, pensions and gross social care was 16.5 per cent. of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2009-10, that figure will increase to 20.6 per cent. of GDP by 2049-50; applauds the Commission's remit to build on the work of the Turner Commission and deliver a consensus on solutions to strengthen workplace retirement saving; and believes that further reform is needed to ensure that saving through the workplace remains the best means by which UK citizens can retire in dignity and security.

That this House welcomes the setting up by the National Association of Pensions Funds of the independent Workplace Retirement Income Commission, under the chairmanship of Lord McFall of Alcluith; notes that by 2030, the number of people over 65 years will be around 50 per cent. higher than today, and...

That this House believes that the chalk rivers of England provide a unique habitat for a rich diversity of fish, riparian creatures and rare plant species which is under serious threat; expresses concern at the recent Environment Agency finding that less than 20 per cent. of the rivers and lakes of England and Wales are currently at `good' status due to growing pollution, over-abstraction of water and habitat destruction; and calls on the Government to develop a plan to protect and enhance the condition of rivers, including the chalk rivers, setting firm and demanding targets.

That this House believes that the chalk rivers of England provide a unique habitat for a rich diversity of fish, riparian creatures and rare plant species which is under serious threat; expresses concern at the recent Environment Agency finding that less than 20 per cent. of the rivers and lakes...

That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, praying that the School Organisation and Governance (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2009 (S.I., 2009, No. 1556), dated 23 June 2009, a copy of which was laid before this House on 30 June, be annulled.

That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, praying that the School Organisation and Governance (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2009 (S.I., 2009, No. 1556), dated 23 June 2009, a copy of which was laid before this House on 30 June, be annulled.

That this House believes that the chalk rivers of England provide a unique habitat for a rich diversity of fish, riparian creatures and rare plant species which is under serious threat; expresses concern at the recent Environment Agency finding that less than 20 per cent. of the rivers and lakes of England and Wales are currently at good status due to growing pollution, over-abstraction of water and habitat destruction; and calls on the Government to develop a plan to protect and enhance the condition of rivers, including the chalk rivers, setting firm and demanding targets.

That this House believes that the chalk rivers of England provide a unique habitat for a rich diversity of fish, riparian creatures and rare plant species which is under serious threat; expresses concern at the recent Environment Agency finding that less than 20 per cent. of the rivers and lakes...

That this House congratulates Lewis Hamilton of Tewin in Hertfordshire on his spectacular victories during the Formula One racing season; notes that he has achieved a high level of success within a very short time; recognises that eight podium finishes is a great accomplishment; hopes to see his continuing success in the remainder of this season's races and his racing career; and wishes him success in the Silverstone Grand Prix.

That this House congratulates Lewis Hamilton of Tewin in Hertfordshire on his spectacular victories during the Formula One racing season; notes that he has achieved a high level of success within a very short time; recognises that eight podium finishes is a great accomplishment; hopes to see his continuing success...

That this House recognises the need to reform legal aid to ensure good quality legal services, value for money and access to justice; notes that approximately 50 per cent. of the Criminal Legal Aid Budget is spent on one per cent. of cases; acknowledges the Report of the Bar Working Group into Long and Complex Cases which criticised unrealistic over-charging of defendants by prosecutors, over-loading of indictments, mismanagement of disclosure and poor case management and concludes that all savings needed in the Legal Aid Budget could be made from within the one per cent. of cases; further notes that research underpinning the Carter Review showed that small solicitors' firms provide the lowest costs and the high standard client service and are well regarded by clients; is concerned that Government has failed to act on this; believes that if Government did choose to act on this evidence, much could be done to prevent hundreds of small high street solicitors from being forced out of business by the Government's proposals; believes that large scale closure of small high street solicitors would erode communities and leave vulnerable people without effective access to justice; welcomes the stand taken by charities and representative bodies in pointing out the potential risks to high street solicitors and vulnerable people; and calls on the Government to reconsider its proposals so as to deliver an efficient system for long and complex cases, recognition of the economic and social case for small high street solicitors and the need to provide fair access to justice.

That this House recognises the need to reform legal aid to ensure good quality legal services, value for money and access to justice; notes that approximately 50 per cent. of the Criminal Legal Aid Budget is spent on one per cent. of cases; acknowledges the Report of the Bar Working...

That this House expresses its relief at the transfer of ministerial responsibility for local elections away from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister to the Department for Constitutional Affairs; but observes that this is the fourth Whitehall department with responsibility for local election administration since 2001; following the labelling of the UK as a `banana republic' by an election court, believes that this move is a sign of no confidence in the ability of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister to run elections in a safe, secure and efficient manner; regrets that the Government's constant fiddling with the constitution has undermined the UK's long-standing reputation as a beacon for democracy and fair play; and calls on the Lord Chancellor to use the opportunity which this change provides to make a statement in line with Electoral Commission recommendations abandoning all-postal balloting and accepting individual voter registration.

That this House expresses its relief at the transfer of ministerial responsibility for local elections away from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister to the Department for Constitutional Affairs; but observes that this is the fourth Whitehall department with responsibility for local election administration since 2001; following the labelling...

That this House welcomes the commitment of the Lord Chancellor, Lord Falconer, to reform of the judicial system; commends the positive steps he has taken to modernise the constitutional agenda, including a strong commitment to diversity; notes that the reforms will modernise the legal system through the creation of a Judicial Appointments Commission as well as giving greater access to justice for millions of people; and encourages Lord Falconer to continue his work in transforming the British legal system.

That this House welcomes the commitment of the Lord Chancellor, Lord Falconer, to reform of the judicial system; commends the positive steps he has taken to modernise the constitutional agenda, including a strong commitment to diversity; notes that the reforms will modernise the legal system through the creation of a...

That this House expresses its deep concern that Her Majesty's Stationery Office has been downgraded and given the new title of the Office of Public Sector Information; deplores the fact that this is yet another example of the Government pointlessly attempting to change the name of a department; expresses its disquiet at the wiping out of the UK's historic ties with royal institutions as has previously happened with the Prison Service, Northern Ireland's Police Service and Consignia; and calls upon the Government to re-establish the royal connection to Her Majesty's Stationery Office.

That this House expresses its deep concern that Her Majesty's Stationery Office has been downgraded and given the new title of the Office of Public Sector Information; deplores the fact that this is yet another example of the Government pointlessly attempting to change the name of a department; expresses its...

That this House expresses its deep concern at the plans to impose massive house building on Hertfordshire; notes that such plans are based on the Government's Sustainable Communities Plan launched by the Deputy Prime Minister; congratulates the Environmental Audit Committee on its report Housing: Building a Sustainable Future, which attacks the Government's plans as not adequately considering the environmental impacts of the proposed increase in house building, with the environment as the principal loser, as establishing the principal role of planning as being simply to meet market demand without regard to democratic accountability, as not having an adequate evidence base, as not referring to environmental protection, as making efforts towards sustainability that are little more than window dressing and as likely to result in a dramatic increase in the number of properties flooded; calls on the Government to undertake the research recommended by the Committee to amend its plans to take account of the environmental impacts and not to take forward the current misconceived proposals, which would lead to overdevelopment in Hertfordshire and other parts of the South East and East, and to traffic congestion, train overcrowding and undue pressure on all local services; and condemns the Government for pressing ahead with this plan even though the East of England Regional Assembly has withdrawn its support.

That this House expresses its deep concern at the plans to impose massive house building on Hertfordshire; notes that such plans are based on the Government's Sustainable Communities Plan launched by the Deputy Prime Minister; congratulates the Environmental Audit Committee on its report Housing: Building a Sustainable Future, which attacks...

That this House expresses its deep concern at the weaknesses in the postal voting system highlighted by the comment of the judge in the recent Birmingham case that the postal voting system was wide open to fraud; notes that the inaccuracy of electoral registers and the lack of proper checks on them is at the root of the problem; further notes that the tried and tested Northern Ireland system of individual voter registration using National Insurance numbers has led to accurate registers and reduced opportunities for fraud; and calls on the Government to accept the recommendation of the Electoral Commission and other parties and immediately to introduce legislation to effect such a change.

That this House expresses its deep concern at the weaknesses in the postal voting system highlighted by the comment of the judge in the recent Birmingham case that the postal voting system was wide open to fraud; notes that the inaccuracy of electoral registers and the lack of proper checks...

That this House expresses its concern that the House of Lords is having to take on more and more of the work of scrutiny of Bills now that the Government refuses through its guillotining of Bills to give the necessary time to do it in this House; notes that since the Queen's Speech, 32 groups of clauses and amendments have not been debated on the report stage of Bills in this House and in addition, in committee, 45 groups of amendments and 117 clauses and schedules have not been debated; considers that the outcome of the Prevention of Terrorism Bill was a victory for Parliament; and calls on the Government not to seek to reduce the powers of the House of Lords, but instead to give adequate time for debate in this House.

That this House expresses its concern that the House of Lords is having to take on more and more of the work of scrutiny of Bills now that the Government refuses through its guillotining of Bills to give the necessary time to do it in this House; notes that since...

That this House expresses its gratitude for the tireless commitment, hard work and assistance when the House of Commons sits long hours of its attendants, cleaning and maintenance services, clerks and assistants, doorkeepers, police, fire and security services, Hansard reporters, the Vote Office, the Table Office, the Library, office keepers, Press Gallery reporters, the Post Office, the Refreshment Department, the Serjeant at Arms Department, the Speaker's Office and all support staff; recognises the considerable demands placed upon them; and praises such professionalism which is a vital part of the Parliamentary process and without which honourable Members could not operate effectively.

That this House expresses its gratitude for the tireless commitment, hard work and assistance when the House of Commons sits long hours of its attendants, cleaning and maintenance services, clerks and assistants, doorkeepers, police, fire and security services, Hansard reporters, the Vote Office, the Table Office, the Library, office keepers,...

That this House expresses its deep concern at the plans to impose massive house building on Hertfordshire; notes that such plans are based on the Government's Sustainable Communities Plan launched by the Deputy Prime Minister; congratulates the Environmental Audit Committee on its report Housing: Building a Sustainable Future, which attacks the Government's plans as not adequately considering the environmental impacts of the proposed increase in house building, with the environment as principal loser, as establishing the principal role of planning as being simply to meet market demand without regard to democratic accountability, as not having an adequate evidence base, as not referring to environmental protection, as making efforts towards sustainability that are little more than window dressing and as likely to result in a dramatic increase in the number of properties flooded; calls on the Government to undertake the research recommended by the Committee to amend its plans to take account of the environmental impacts and not to take forward the current misconceived proposals, which would lead to overdevelopment in Hertfordshire and other parts of the South East and East, and to traffic congestion, train overcrowding and undue pressure on all local services; and condemns the Government for pressing ahead with this plan even though the East of England Regional Assembly has withdrawn its support.

That this House expresses its deep concern at the plans to impose massive house building on Hertfordshire; notes that such plans are based on the Government's Sustainable Communities Plan launched by the Deputy Prime Minister; congratulates the Environmental Audit Committee on its report Housing: Building a Sustainable Future, which attacks...

That this House expresses its deep concern that during the debate on consideration of the Mental Capacity Bill on 14th December, a document relating to and important to the debate was not made available by Ministers to honourable Members in all parts of the House, but only to Labour honourable Members, namely a letter from the Lord Chancellor to the Archbishop of Cardiff; considers that it is a matter of constitutional importance that all relevant documents referred to by Ministers in the House should be made available to all honourable Members; notes the remarks of the Lord Chancellor on the Today programme of 15th December that the correspondence took place at around lunchtime and was sent straight down to the Commons and distributed around the Commons; further notes that despite these remarks the letter from the Lord Chancellor was not available in the Vote Office at 3.45 p.m.; applauds the ruling of Mr Deputy Speaker that this should not happen again; and calls on the Leader of the House to make a statement giving such an assurance on behalf of the Government.

That this House expresses its deep concern that during the debate on consideration of the Mental Capacity Bill on 14th December, a document relating to and important to the debate was not made available by Ministers to honourable Members in all parts of the House, but only to Labour honourable...

That this House notes that the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster has completed just eight minutes at the Dispatch Box since his appointment in September; also notes that the Minister for the Cabinet Office has declined to reveal the sum earmarked by her Department to cover the cost of creating a separate Chancellor of the Duchy; further notes that previous holders of the post primarily engaged in election campaigning have not been paid a full Cabinet Minister's salary; and accordingly regrets the departure from precedent in the case of the Right honourable Member for Darlington.

That this House notes that the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster has completed just eight minutes at the Dispatch Box since his appointment in September; also notes that the Minister for the Cabinet Office has declined to reveal the sum earmarked by her Department to cover the cost of...

That this House notes that the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster has completed just eight minutes at the Dispatch Box since his appointment in September; also notes that the Minister for the Cabinet Office has declined to reveal the sum earmarked by her Department to cover the cost of creating a separate Chancellor of the Duchy; further notes that previous holders of the post primarily engaged in election campaigning have not been paid a full Cabinet Minister's salary; and accordingly regrets the departure from precedent in the case of the Right honourable Member for Darlington.

That this House notes that the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster has completed just eight minutes at the Dispatch Box since his appointment in September; also notes that the Minister for the Cabinet Office has declined to reveal the sum earmarked by her Department to cover the cost of...

That this House notes that on 31st March a petition from Sandra Cole and 1632 other residents of Royston, Hertfordshire was presented expressing their dismay at the decision of NTL to site a mobile phone mast in Stamford Avenue, Royston; expresses its concern that NTL have so far ignored public opinion and actually erected the mast the day after the petition was presented; and calls on the Government to give more control over phone masts and antennae to local communities through planning procedures and local councillors to ensure that councillors are able to take account of the proximity of schools and the health fears of local residents.

That this House notes that on 31st March a petition from Sandra Cole and 1632 other residents of Royston, Hertfordshire was presented expressing their dismay at the decision of NTL to site a mobile phone mast in Stamford Avenue, Royston; expresses its concern that NTL have so far ignored public...

That this House expresses its concern that select committees are not able to obtain from the Government the documents and witnesses necessary in order to fulfil their role of scrutinizing the Executive; notes the comments of the honourable Member for Thurrock in the debate on the Hutton Report when he said that Lord Hutton had been able to cross-examine John Scarlet in public, but the Foreign Affairs Committee was refused access to him, and that they had been refused the drafts of the September dossier but Lord Hutton published them on the worldwide web; and calls on the Leader of the House to institute a major review into the way in which Government and ministers treat select committees and the provisions of the Osmotherly Rules and the Ministerial Code.

That this House expresses its concern that select committees are not able to obtain from the Government the documents and witnesses necessary in order to fulfil their role of scrutinizing the Executive; notes the comments of the honourable Member for Thurrock in the debate on the Hutton Report when he...