That this House notes with regret the decision of the Bank of Scotland to close its branches in Bonar Bridge, Dornoch, Helmsdale and Lairg; recognises that the decision follows the closures of branches by the Royal Bank of Scotland and Clydesdale Bank and expresses dismay that those closures will require people and businesses to undertake round trip journeys of up to 110 miles to access their closest bank branch; acknowledges significant local and national concern at the effect those closures will have on small and rural communities, and on businesses and individuals, particularly older people, those with disabilities and those that do not have access to the internet or other connectivity solutions; and requests the Government to review the model of banking regulation in the UK and to introduce a focus on customer service to require local banking service provision that will promote and sustain local economies.

That this House notes with regret the decision of the Bank of Scotland to close its branches in Bonar Bridge, Dornoch, Helmsdale and Lairg; recognises that the decision follows the closures of branches by the Royal Bank of Scotland and Clydesdale Bank and expresses dismay that those closures will require...

That this House reflects carefully on the terms of the Charter of the UN and the emphasis placed on the creation of conditions of stability and wellbeing that are considered necessary for peaceful and friendly relations among nations based on the principle of equal rights and self-determination; notes that UN members are obliged to promote social progress and development, and to observe human rights and the fundamental freedom of all; and recognises that UN members, such as the UK, which assume responsibilities for the administration of territories whose people have not yet attained full self-government are obliged to recognise the principle that the interests of the inhabitants of such territories are paramount and must ensure just treatment, with due respect for the culture of such people, their political, economic, social and educational advancement, including their right to develop self-government, in recognition of the political aspirations of the peoples, and to assist them in the progressive development of their free political institutions, according to the particular circumstances and aspirations of such people.

That this House reflects carefully on the terms of the Charter of the UN and the emphasis placed on the creation of conditions of stability and wellbeing that are considered necessary for peaceful and friendly relations among nations based on the principle of equal rights and self-determination; notes that UN...

That this House expresses grave concern that the Home Office is advising EU nationals, and those from other countries, living in the north of Scotland and wishing to apply for UK citizenship, that they must be prepared to undertake the Life in the UK test in offices as far away as Newcastle, Preston, Blackpool and Northern Ireland; notes that the closest office authorised to conduct this test is a minimum nine hour return car journey from Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross constituency, and that any individual wishing to use public transport must undertake an overnight stay; further notes that a person living in Durness, Sutherland required to attend Blackpool to undertake this examination will be expected to complete a round trip of almost 1,000 miles; and considers it unacceptable to require people to travel such vast distances simply to meet the requirements of a test in circumstances that promote and encourage disadvantage and discrimination.

That this House expresses grave concern that the Home Office is advising EU nationals, and those from other countries, living in the north of Scotland and wishing to apply for UK citizenship, that they must be prepared to undertake the Life in the UK test in offices as far away...

That this House congratulates Pentland Ferries Ltd on the confirmation of its recent order for a purpose-built 85 metre catamaran ROPAX ferry to service its route from mainland Scotland to the Orkney Islands; notes that Pentland Ferries Ltd employees have constructed two breakwaters from recycled floating dry-docks, a link-span terminal, concreted marshalling area and a modern terminal building complex, all used to operate the service from Gills Bay in Caithness to St Margaret's Hope in Orkney; further notes that this order will create fantastic opportunities to further promote business links between Scotland's mainland and islands; recognises that the order will bring employment opportunities to the area and further recognises that the development of Gills Bay will contribute to the tourism industry in the Far North of Scotland as well as advancing opportunities for those travelling the North Coast 500; and commends Mr Andrew Banks and all of the staff at Pentland Ferries Ltd for their hard work and determination in striving for excellence and for promoting and developing their company that has brought positive opportunities to the people of the Far North of Scotland.

That this House congratulates Pentland Ferries Ltd on the confirmation of its recent order for a purpose-built 85 metre catamaran ROPAX ferry to service its route from mainland Scotland to the Orkney Islands; notes that Pentland Ferries Ltd employees have constructed two breakwaters from recycled floating dry-docks, a link-span terminal,...

That this House notes 6 March 2017 as the fourth anniversary since the publication of the UNICEF report, Children in Israeli Military Detention; further notes that following the review of the application of martial law in the West Bank, including analysis of over 400 affidavits collected from detained children, UNICEF concluded that the ill-treatment of children who come in contact with the military detention system appears to be widespread, systematic and institutionalised; recognises UNICEF framed 38 recommendations to implement Israel's legal obligations under the Fourth Geneva Convention, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, Israeli military and civilian law, and accepted international norms relevant to the treatment of children in custody; acknowledges that following the release of UNICEF's report in 2013, Israel implemented a number of positive legal, procedural and administrative developments to the system of martial law but regrets that UNICEF has observed a 98 per cent increase in child detention during the intervening four years, with 61 per cent of parents not being notified of the reasons for arrest, or place of detention in cases where children were arrested from home; and observes the practice of detaining children without charge or trial in administrative detention has been re-introduced following a four-year hiatus with 50 per cent of children continuing to be transferred out of the West Bank to detention facilities inside Israel contrary to Article 76 of the Fourth Geneva Convention; and encourages the Israeli Government to review the system of martial law applied in the West Bank to address the recommendations promulgated by UNICEF in 2013.

That this House notes 6 March 2017 as the fourth anniversary since the publication of the UNICEF report, Children in Israeli Military Detention; further notes that following the review of the application of martial law in the West Bank, including analysis of over 400 affidavits collected from detained children, UNICEF...