That this House welcomes July 2013's resumption of direct talks between Israeli and Palestinian negotiators; congratulates US Secretary of State John Kerry for his endeavours; urges both sides to refrain from any acts that undermine the trust required for successful negotiations; further urges both the Israeli and Palestinian leadership to ensure that these negotiations achieve a two state solution, based on the pre-1967 borders with agreed land swaps, and East Jerusalem as the capital for the new state of Palestine; and applauds the work of civil society groups such as the OneVoice Movement, whose vital work highlights the will of the majority of Israelis and Palestinians who seek an end to the prolonged occupation and conflict.

That this House welcomes July 2013's resumption of direct talks between Israeli and Palestinian negotiators; congratulates US Secretary of State John Kerry for his endeavours; urges both sides to refrain from any acts that undermine the trust required for successful negotiations; further urges both the Israeli and Palestinian leadership to...

That this House supports recognition by the UN of Palestine as a state alongside the state of Israel.

That this House supports recognition by the UN of Palestine as a state alongside the state of Israel.

That this House notes the success of the Sustainable Communities Act 2007 as the first step towards building a bottom up democracy; further notes the enthusiasm shown by local authorities across England in deciding to use the Act, with 100 councils having already used that process and a further 50 councils having stated their intention to do so at the next available opportunity, showing that nearly half of all councils wish to use the Act's process in the future; notes also the genuine cross-party support that the original Act commanded; and so supports the provisions of the Sustainable Communities Act Amendment Bill introduced in Session 2008-09 which would extend the 2007 Act by ensuring that the process of involvement established by the Act becomes an on-going process rather than a one-off event, by involving parish and town councils and their county associations in the process and by empowering citizens to petition their councils to use the Act if they are not already doing so.

That this House notes the success of the Sustainable Communities Act 2007 as the first step towards building a bottom up democracy; further notes the enthusiasm shown by local authorities across England in deciding to use the Act, with 100 councils having already used that process and a further 50...

That this House recognises that patients with pulmonary hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, muscular dystrophy and other conditions require supplemental oxygen when travelling by air; is dismayed that the vast majority of airlines operating in the UK currently charge passengers requiring supplemental oxygen on flights; applauds the work of the Pulmonary Hypertension Association, the British Lung Foundation and the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign to end the unfair financial impact of what is effectively a tax on the disabled; calls on all airlines flying from or through UK airports to allow passengers requiring in-flight supplemental oxygen to either bring personal oxygen equipment on board and use it, subject to necessary security checks, or to have supplemental oxygen provided for them by the airline, in both cases without charge; welcomes the recent decision by British Airways, Emirates and Cathay Pacific to drop all charges; notes that as of 1 May 2009 airlines in the United States of America will have to allow passengers requiring supplemental oxygen to be able to use their own portable oxygen concentrator free of charge; and urges all airlines operating in the UK to follow suit.

That this House recognises that patients with pulmonary hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, muscular dystrophy and other conditions require supplemental oxygen when travelling by air; is dismayed that the vast majority of airlines operating in the UK currently charge passengers requiring supplemental oxygen on flights; applauds the work of the...

That this House notes that 28 March 2009 marks the 30th anniversary of the motion of no confidence in Her Majesty's Government moved by Margaret Thatcher; recalls that the passage of this motion by 311 votes to 310 directly led to the election of Britain's first woman Prime Minister; and reaffirms its belief that the need for a Conservative government is as strong now as it was in 1979.

That this House notes that 28 March 2009 marks the 30th anniversary of the motion of no confidence in Her Majesty's Government moved by Margaret Thatcher; recalls that the passage of this motion by 311 votes to 310 directly led to the election of Britain's first woman Prime Minister; and...

That this House acknowledges the hard work of small and independent retailers; congratulates them on the vital role they play in many diverse communities across the country; recognises the ongoing economic and commercial pressures threatening their viability and survival; is concerned that the regulatory burden placed upon them should be maintained at an appropriate level; expresses its concern that proposed measures to ban the display of tobacco products in small shops are not balanced, proportionate or firmly evidence-based; calls upon the Government to further consider the effects of the measures on the viability of small shops and the market in illicit tobacco; welcomes Government action to address illegal sales of tobacco; and urges the Government to pursue the most effective and proven measures by which under-18 year olds can be deterred from smoking.

That this House acknowledges the hard work of small and independent retailers; congratulates them on the vital role they play in many diverse communities across the country; recognises the ongoing economic and commercial pressures threatening their viability and survival; is concerned that the regulatory burden placed upon them should be...

That this House welcomes the end of hostilities in Gaza and the withdrawal of Israeli forces; deplores the loss of over 1,300 Palestinian and 13 Israeli lives; recognises the need for the international community to begin an urgent and substantial humanitarian relief and reconstruction effort to alleviate the suffering in Gaza; supports efforts by the UN and charities to provide relief to the people of Gaza; condemns the shelling of the UN Headquarters in Gaza; believes that allegations of war crimes should be properly investigated; recognises the urgent need to find ways to prevent weapons from being smuggled into Gaza; calls on the Israeli and Egyptian governments to ensure that Gaza's borders are open on a continuous and safe basis; calls for international monitoring arrangements to ensure that rocket attacks into Israel cannot be resumed; appeals for energetic diplomatic action from the new U.S. administration, EU countries and countries of the region to secure a return to negotiations for a lasting peace settlement in the Middle East; and recognises the long-term resolution to the conflict as being the two state solution with a secure Israel living alongside a sovereign and viable Palestinian state.

That this House welcomes the end of hostilities in Gaza and the withdrawal of Israeli forces; deplores the loss of over 1,300 Palestinian and 13 Israeli lives; recognises the need for the international community to begin an urgent and substantial humanitarian relief and reconstruction effort to alleviate the suffering in...

That this House welcomes the review announced by Government of the long-standing policy on NHS co-payments to be led by Professor Mike Richards; affirms that the NHS should continue to strive to optimise health outcomes for patients wherever this is possible; believes that the current ban on co-payments is cruel, because it can result in NHS care being withdrawn from dying patients, and illogical, because co-payments already exist in some parts of the NHS; notes that, under co-payments, no public money need leave the NHS to enable patients to obtain part of their treatment not currently available in the NHS; therefore believes that co-payments can assist one patient without harming the prospects of any other NHS patient; and calls on Professor Richards to take these factors into consideration in compiling his report.

That this House welcomes the review announced by Government of the long-standing policy on NHS co-payments to be led by Professor Mike Richards; affirms that the NHS should continue to strive to optimise health outcomes for patients wherever this is possible; believes that the current ban on co-payments is cruel,...

That this House supports the development of the Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare, an effort led by a number of world governments, supported by the World Organisation for Animal Health, and underpinned by the World Society for the Protection of Animals, Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Compassion in World Farming in the UK, and by hundreds more animal welfare organisations worldwide; and calls upon the Government to give its full and publicly-stated support for this initiative, including active support within the European Union and the United Nations.

That this House supports the development of the Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare, an effort led by a number of world governments, supported by the World Organisation for Animal Health, and underpinned by the World Society for the Protection of Animals, Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals...

That this House recognises the global imperative of tackling climate change; notes the importance of decarbonising the UK's energy production in order to meet this imperative; is therefore concerned by current plans to develop over 10GW of new coal power stations in Britain, resulting in 50 million extra tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions from the UK economy per annum; and asks the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform to hold a public inquiry before making a decision on the application for consent to build a new coal-fired power station at Kingsnorth in Kent, in order that full consideration is given to the implications of the proposed development for the UK's climate change and energy policies.

That this House recognises the global imperative of tackling climate change; notes the importance of decarbonising the UK's energy production in order to meet this imperative; is therefore concerned by current plans to develop over 10GW of new coal power stations in Britain, resulting in 50 million extra tonnes of...

That this House notes that massive expansion of renewable energy generating capacity is essential in order to cut the UK's carbon emissions significantly and to meet the EU renewable energy targets; further notes that the UK generates just five per cent. of its electricity from renewable sources; recognises that many European countries have adopted a feed-in tariff system with considerable success, paying a long-term, guaranteed premium price for renewable electricity exported to the grid; appreciates that a feed-in tariff has played a transformational role in Germany which now generates 13 per cent. of its electricity from renewable sources and employs 236,000 people in the renewable energy sector; further notes the finding of the Stern Review that `comparisons between deployment support through tradeable quotas and feed-in tariff price support suggest that feed-in mechanisms achieve larger deployment at lower costs'; believes that there is an urgent need for a feed-in tariff to support smaller scale renewable electricity schemes; recognises that a UK feed-in tariff could work alongside other policy mechanisms that support large scale renewable electricity generation; and calls on the Government to introduce the necessary enabling powers for a feed-in tariff in the current Energy Bill and give a commitment to introduce, following appropriate consultation, a UK feed-in tariff to support smaller non-merchant renewable electricity generation.

That this House notes that massive expansion of renewable energy generating capacity is essential in order to cut the UK's carbon emissions significantly and to meet the EU renewable energy targets; further notes that the UK generates just five per cent. of its electricity from renewable sources; recognises that many...

That this House congratulates the England rugby team on their victory over France on Saturday and wishes them good luck in the Rugby World Cup final against South Africa this weekend.

That this House congratulates the England rugby team on their victory over France on Saturday and wishes them good luck in the Rugby World Cup final against South Africa this weekend.

That this House notes that 14th June is Falkland Islands Liberation Day; recalls the enormous courage and determination of Her Majesty's armed forces in liberating the Islands; pays tribute to the inspirational leadership of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher who, with the support of Parliament, helped restore the Islanders' democratic way of life; remains resolutely dedicated to strengthening the historic ties between the UK and the Falkland Islands; reaffirms the UK's sovereignty over the Falkland Islands and her commitment to defend their right to choose their own future; and acknowledges with deep gratitude the sacrifice of 255 men who gave their lives for this cause.

That this House notes that 14th June is Falkland Islands Liberation Day; recalls the enormous courage and determination of Her Majesty's armed forces in liberating the Islands; pays tribute to the inspirational leadership of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher who, with the support of Parliament, helped restore the Islanders' democratic way...

That this House salutes the bravery with which the right hon. Member for Penrith and The Border has for several years defied the onset of multiple sclerosis so crippling that a less determined person would have been confined to a wheelchair long ago; endorses the decision of the House of Commons Department of Finance and Administration to approve his purchase of an outdoor vehicle, from the appropriate Parliamentary allowance, to enable him to negotiate the largest rural constituency in England; and accordingly condemns the journalists and broadcasters who sensationalised this story for playing down, and in some cases not even mentioning, the devastating effects of his illness and his refusal to give in to it.

That this House salutes the bravery with which the right hon. Member for Penrith and The Border has for several years defied the onset of multiple sclerosis so crippling that a less determined person would have been confined to a wheelchair long ago; endorses the decision of the House of...

That this House notes and supports United Nations Resolution 1754 adopted by the Security Council on 30th April 2007; welcomes the initiative by the Kingdom of Morocco to grant substantial autonomy to the Western Sahara offering an opportunity to peacefully resolve separatists claims by guaranteeing to all Sahrawis inside and outside the territory a leading role in the bodies and institutions of the region whilst recognising Morocco's sovereign integrity; and urges the Government to encourage all parties to respond to UN endeavours to establish an enduring solution to this geopolitical dispute of three decades duration.

That this House notes and supports United Nations Resolution 1754 adopted by the Security Council on 30th April 2007; welcomes the initiative by the Kingdom of Morocco to grant substantial autonomy to the Western Sahara offering an opportunity to peacefully resolve separatists claims by guaranteeing to all Sahrawis inside and...

That this House believes that small and medium-sized businesses are vital to the future of the UK economy; recognises that they generate over half the UK's national wealth and private sector jobs; notes that the twin burdens of regulation and an over-complex tax system have worsened considerably since 1997; further notes the absence of an effective voice for small businesses in Government; regrets that entrepreneurial activity has declined for the last two years; and calls on all Ministers to recognise and include the needs of small businesses in all policy making and implementation.

That this House believes that small and medium-sized businesses are vital to the future of the UK economy; recognises that they generate over half the UK's national wealth and private sector jobs; notes that the twin burdens of regulation and an over-complex tax system have worsened considerably since 1997; further...

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...