That this House deplores the decision of Post Office Ltd. to close the Greenheys, Manchester Road East, Bolton Road, Linnyshaw, Mosley Common and Topping's Bridge sub-post offices in Worsley; believes the public consultation to have been a travesty; further believes that the consultees were presented by Post Office Ltd. with a fait accompli, given that the closure programme was confirmed in its entirety within days of the end of the consultation period; further deplores that Mr Eddy Herbert, of Post Office Ltd., has yet to reply to post-consultation correspondence from the honourable Member for Worsley; and concludes that the Department for Trade and Industry should inquire into the way in which the Post Office Reinvention Programme has been conducted.

That this House deplores the decision of Post Office Ltd. to close the Greenheys, Manchester Road East, Bolton Road, Linnyshaw, Mosley Common and Topping's Bridge sub-post offices in Worsley; believes the public consultation to have been a travesty; further believes that the consultees were presented by Post Office Ltd. with...

That this House welcomes the verdict of unlawful killing in respect of the death of L.A.C. Ronald Maddison at Porton Down Chemical Research Establishment in 1953; recognises the efforts of the Maddison family, the Porton Down Veterans Support Group, and the Wiltshire Police Operation Antler for their unstinting efforts at discovering the true circumstances surrounding the untimely death of L.A.C. Maddison; and calls upon the Secretary of State for Defence to establish a public enquiry into the treatment of service volunteers in experiments at Porton Down.

That this House welcomes the verdict of unlawful killing in respect of the death of L.A.C. Ronald Maddison at Porton Down Chemical Research Establishment in 1953; recognises the efforts of the Maddison family, the Porton Down Veterans Support Group, and the Wiltshire Police Operation Antler for their unstinting efforts at...

That this House recalls the tabling of EDM 900 Session 1987-88, Iraqi Use of Chemical Weapons; notes that 67 honourable and Right honourable Members condemned the use, by the regime, of chemical weapons on its own people at Halabja; urged the then British Government to apply pressure, through the United Nations Security Council, to bring about the cessation of such barbarous acts; and now observes that the most strident calls for action against Iraq, citing as justification the events at Halabja, comes from honourable Members who failed to endorse EDM 900 in 1988.

That this House recalls the tabling of EDM 900 Session 1987-88, Iraqi Use of Chemical Weapons; notes that 67 honourable and Right honourable Members condemned the use, by the regime, of chemical weapons on its own people at Halabja; urged the then British Government to apply pressure, through the United...

That this House notes that the RJB Mining Company is seeking ??73 million in financial aid from the Government for the purpose of subsidising deep mine coal production; is concerned at the assertion that failure to secure such subsidy will result in the closure of the remaining deep mines in the North East of Yorkshire; believes, however, that deep mine coal production can best be safeguarded by achieving a reduction in open-cast production; and, therefore, urges the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, to aschew granting consent for any further applications to opencast coal, by RJB Mining.

That this House notes that the RJB Mining Company is seeking ??73 million in financial aid from the Government for the purpose of subsidising deep mine coal production; is concerned at the assertion that failure to secure such subsidy will result in the closure of the remaining deep mines in...

That this House regrets the decision of the Football Association to encourage the withdrawal of Manchester United from the 1999-2000 FA challenge cup competition to facilitate participation in a meaningless tournament in South America; believes that the absence of the holders will damage the integrity of the world's foremost football cup competition; doubts, in any case, the efficacy of the club undertaking an arduous overseas campaign at a critical stage of the domestic season; believes that to do so will not be in the best interests of Manchester United and its supporters; and therefore urges the directors of the club to concentrate upon the defence of The Treble to the exclusion of all else in 1999-2000.

That this House regrets the decision of the Football Association to encourage the withdrawal of Manchester United from the 1999-2000 FA challenge cup competition to facilitate participation in a meaningless tournament in South America; believes that the absence of the holders will damage the integrity of the world's foremost football...

That this House notes that BSkyB Television has made an offer to buy Manchester United Football Club plc; further notes that BSkyB Television currently holds the exclusive rights to live broadcasts of Premier League football matches and is likely to bid again for the broadcast rights when the current agreement expires; believes that the possibility of BSkyB Television as both a bidder for television rights to the Premier League and the owner of its most high-profile club is a matter of serious public interest and anxiety; is concerned that the BSkyB bid signals a trend whereby the interests of broadcasters take precedence over those of football clubs; warns that the deal will further concentrate wealth in the hands of an exclusive elite, thus threatening the survival of smaller football clubs and the wellbeing of the game at grassroots level; and, therefore, calls upon the Monopolies and Mergers Commission to recommend rejection of the BSkyB bid as a contribution to safeguarding the future of the national game.

That this House notes that BSkyB Television has made an offer to buy Manchester United Football Club plc; further notes that BSkyB Television currently holds the exclusive rights to live broadcasts of Premier League football matches and is likely to bid again for the broadcast rights when the current agreement...

That this House congratulates the Manchester Evening News on its success in exposing the business malpractices of the Midland Coating Company of Sheepscar Court, Leeds; believes that elderly houseowners, exploited by that company's dubious sales methods, will be relieved by this exposure; is, nonetheless, concerned that following the liquidation of the company on 23rd December 1998, the directors have re-established the business, at the same address, under a new name, Raincheck; draws attention to the fact that Mr Chris Woodhead who, at the Midland Coating creditors meeting, was identified by former employees as the key company decision maker, though not listed as a director; understands that the liquidator expressed the view that Mr Woodhead was likely to be a shadow director to Ms Melanie Archer, named as the sole director in the proceedings; believes this to represent a worrying loophole in company law which allows control without accountability; and, therefore, draws attention to the need to consider appropriate measures to safeguard the interests of consumers in such circumstances.

That this House congratulates the Manchester Evening News on its success in exposing the business malpractices of the Midland Coating Company of Sheepscar Court, Leeds; believes that elderly houseowners, exploited by that company's dubious sales methods, will be relieved by this exposure; is, nonetheless, concerned that following the liquidation of...

That this House congratulates the Bolton Mountain Rescue Team on 30 years of selfless humanitarian service to the community; recognises with gratitude the valuable work that this body of volunteers routinely undertakes; notes that in 1998 no fewer than 63 call outs were responded to, that already in 1999 the team has dealt with several emergencies, including giving assistance in support of the Ambulance Service; hopes that the organisation continues to prosper; and wishes everyone concerned with it a successful future.

That this House congratulates the Bolton Mountain Rescue Team on 30 years of selfless humanitarian service to the community; recognises with gratitude the valuable work that this body of volunteers routinely undertakes; notes that in 1998 no fewer than 63 call outs were responded to, that already in 1999 the...

That this House objects to the agreement where BSkyB Television will purchase Manchester United Plc; feels that this will create a unacceptable situation where BSkyB becomes both the biggest purchaser of televised football and also the owner of Europe's largest football club; is certain that this is not in the best public interest of fans, clubs or television viewers and sport in general; and calls upon the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to refer the proposed takeover to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission in addition to setting up a full inquiry into the funding of football by television, in all its aspects.

That this House objects to the agreement where BSkyB Television will purchase Manchester United Plc; feels that this will create a unacceptable situation where BSkyB becomes both the biggest purchaser of televised football and also the owner of Europe's largest football club; is certain that this is not in the...

That this House welcomes the establishment of a football task force; notes that its aim is to hand the senior game back to the fans; recognises the safety imperatives which led to the demand for all seater stadia; but believes, nonetheless, that low rise standing room paddocks can be safely installed, to provide cheaper accommodation and the singing areas which many football fans crave.

That this House welcomes the establishment of a football task force; notes that its aim is to hand the senior game back to the fans; recognises the safety imperatives which led to the demand for all seater stadia; but believes, nonetheless, that low rise standing room paddocks can be safely...

That this House believes that the provision of out-of-town shopping facilities is incompatible with the policy of reducing pollution from road traffic.

That this House believes that the provision of out-of-town shopping facilities is incompatible with the policy of reducing pollution from road traffic.

That this House welcomes the new campaign by the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection calling for an end to cosmetic testing on animals; notes that the European Commission has recently postponed the proposed ban on the marketing of animal-tested cosmetics by 1st January 1998; further notes that around 100 companies have already shown that this target was feasible by supporting the BUAV's call to meet that target voluntarily; and therefore calls on the Government to ban the testing of cosmetics on animals in the United Kingdom and to further promote such a ban at EU level.

That this House welcomes the new campaign by the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection calling for an end to cosmetic testing on animals; notes that the European Commission has recently postponed the proposed ban on the marketing of animal-tested cosmetics by 1st January 1998; further notes that around...

That this House calls for the abolition of 999 year ground rents, noting that in many cases ??2, ??5 and even ??10 annual rents are costing more to collect than they are worth; recognises that many reputable and conscientious owners of ground rents are selling them, and they are being bought by unscrupulous people, who are in some cases, making threats to households requiring information and offering to sell the individual ground rent at exhorbitant prices with very high legal costs; notes that in other cases companies are behaving like Simarc Property Management Ltd. of 5 Spring Villa Road, Edgware, who are ignoring the custom and practice of the previous owners of the ground rent by not sending out reminders to the householders, and claiming massive legal bills on the strength of late payment, for example claiming a bill of ??171.48 for a late ground rent; and believes that all householders should be aware of such practices, and should either ensure prompt payment of the annual charge or consider using the government scheme to buy out the ground rent with its modest charges.

That this House calls for the abolition of 999 year ground rents, noting that in many cases ??2, ??5 and even ??10 annual rents are costing more to collect than they are worth; recognises that many reputable and conscientious owners of ground rents are selling them, and they are being...

That this House notes that football supporters, with great misgivings, accepted a restriction on their right to stand on the terraces at football grounds following a recommendation of the Taylor Inquiry into the Hillsborough disaster; recognises that this willing acceptance of a loss of personal freedom resulted from a tragic accident which cost many lives; draws attention to the fact that two criminal acts first at Hungerford and more recently at Dunblane resulted in the deaths of over 30 human beings by legally armed gunmen; confirms that society imposed inconvenience and increased costs on millions of football supporters post-Hillsborough; and believes that the imposition of similar constraints on gun enthusiasts should now be accepted and, in pursuit of this objective, an immediate ban on the private ownership of handguns should be legislated for.

That this House notes that football supporters, with great misgivings, accepted a restriction on their right to stand on the terraces at football grounds following a recommendation of the Taylor Inquiry into the Hillsborough disaster; recognises that this willing acceptance of a loss of personal freedom resulted from a tragic...

That this House congratulates M.Eric Cantona on his being elected Footballer of the Year 1996; believes this to be a well deserved award to a player of exceptional talent; recognises his extraordinary contribution to sporting endeavour in the Premiership this season; and wishes him many more successful seasons in English football with Manchester United.

That this House congratulates M.Eric Cantona on his being elected Footballer of the Year 1996; believes this to be a well deserved award to a player of exceptional talent; recognises his extraordinary contribution to sporting endeavour in the Premiership this season; and wishes him many more successful seasons in English...

That this House, whilst condemning the deplorable conduct of Eric Cantona at Crystal Palace recently, believes nonetheless the immediate response of his club, Manchester United, to be wholly inappropriate; considers that this rush to judgement was the result of a hysterical campaign by certain sections of the media, not least by former players now described as soccer pundits; asserts that due to this, no plea of mitigation has been possible, when clearly Mr Cantona was the target of appalling abuse; is appalled at the Football Association appears to be party to the summary punishment meted out on this occasion; notes that in other cases, notably, ones concerning alleged match fixing and alleged illegal payments, the FA has proceeded in a dilatory manner, whilst the accused have been allowed to continue to play and manage; notwithstanding, notes that the FA quite properly acted with understanding and compassion in the case of Paul Merson of Arsenal, who after a period of treatment will soon be playing again; demands the same consideration for Eric Cantona; and, after all mitigating circumstances have been taken into account believes he should be allowed an early resumption of his playing career, certainly before the end of the current season.

That this House, whilst condemning the deplorable conduct of Eric Cantona at Crystal Palace recently, believes nonetheless the immediate response of his club, Manchester United, to be wholly inappropriate; considers that this rush to judgement was the result of a hysterical campaign by certain sections of the media, not least...

That this House urges the Football Association to conduct an inquiry into allegations that Paul Ince of Manchester United was subjected to racial abuse from a fellow professional during the recent fixture between Manchester United and Nottingham Forest; believes that racial abuse from spectators will not be eradicted so long as players indulge in such odious behaviour; and therefore calls upon the clubs and the football authorities to punish severely any proven perpetrator from the professional ranks.

That this House urges the Football Association to conduct an inquiry into allegations that Paul Ince of Manchester United was subjected to racial abuse from a fellow professional during the recent fixture between Manchester United and Nottingham Forest; believes that racial abuse from spectators will not be eradicted so long...

That this House congratulates the Ireland World Cup squad for unanimously rejecting a commercial proposition involving 0891 telephone services; recognises that by taking this course each player has forgone a significant sum of extra income; notes that the players have indicated an unwillingness to benefit from children accruing large telephone bills; and believes this to be a public-spirited action which deserves to be rewarded by success on the football field in the United States of America.

That this House congratulates the Ireland World Cup squad for unanimously rejecting a commercial proposition involving 0891 telephone services; recognises that by taking this course each player has forgone a significant sum of extra income; notes that the players have indicated an unwillingness to benefit from children accruing large telephone...

That this House feels a sense of outrage that the Greater Manchester Police has returned to its original owner a Colt 45 revolver used in an armed robbery which had resulted in the tragic death of a security officer; calls attention to the fact that this was one of eight similar weapons stolen from domestic premises in 1992; regrets that to date three of these have been responsible for the deaths of three persons and the serious wounding of another; believes the return of this killer weapon to be an affront to those bereaved by it and others from the same source; and consequently demands that the police be given powers to destroy weapons which have been used in serious crimes.

That this House feels a sense of outrage that the Greater Manchester Police has returned to its original owner a Colt 45 revolver used in an armed robbery which had resulted in the tragic death of a security officer; calls attention to the fact that this was one of eight...

That this House condemns the proposals by the Department of Transport in relation to the M62 relief road; salutes the efforts of WARR and other anti-motorway campaign groups in Greater Manchester to oppose such proposals; and recognises the determination of the residents of Bury South to put aside political and other differences in their demand that such proposals should be withdrawn as part of a careful evaluation of the transport needs of the British people, which would avoid more concrete jungles, housing and planning blight and environmental pollution.

That this House condemns the proposals by the Department of Transport in relation to the M62 relief road; salutes the efforts of WARR and other anti-motorway campaign groups in Greater Manchester to oppose such proposals; and recognises the determination of the residents of Bury South to put aside political and...