That this House notes that Fair Trade bananas are not available in any of the Palace of Westminster's eateries; further notes the website www.recessmonkey.com is campaigning with staff to make a Fair Trade banana available in the Palace precincts; and calls upon the catering departments to provide this alternative as soon as possible.

That this House notes that Fair Trade bananas are not available in any of the Palace of Westminster's eateries; further notes the website www.recessmonkey.com is campaigning with staff to make a Fair Trade banana available in the Palace precincts; and calls upon the catering departments to provide this alternative as...

That this House notes the excellent service of Laurie Kaye MBE; thanks him for his work as a member of the Clerk's Department since 1961 and in particular for his unfailing good humour and helpfulness in the Table Office over the last 26 years; and wishes him a long and happy retirement.

That this House notes the excellent service of Laurie Kaye MBE; thanks him for his work as a member of the Clerk's Department since 1961 and in particular for his unfailing good humour and helpfulness in the Table Office over the last 26 years; and wishes him a long and...

That this House agrees that the first-past-the-post electoral system is the most appropriate for electing honourable Members of Parliament.

That this House agrees that the first-past-the-post electoral system is the most appropriate for electing honourable Members of Parliament.

That this House agrees with the Chairman of British American Tobacco that people are better of avoiding tobacco; accepts the position of the pub and restaurant trade that non-smoking is the general norm and there should be increasing provision of facilities for non-smokers and the availability of clean air; recognises that this House has a responsibility to provide a good working environment for its honourable Members, officers and employees; notes that the Scottish Parliament is entirely smoke-free; acknowledges that almost three-quarters of smokers want to quit smoking but because tobacco is addictive, many smokers find it very difficult to stop; understands the importance of supporting smokers trying to stop, including the provision of smoke-free places that help smokers deal with temptation and craving; and believes that occasions such as No Smoking Day on 13th March are excellent opportunities to try such policies within the House.

That this House agrees with the Chairman of British American Tobacco that people are better of avoiding tobacco; accepts the position of the pub and restaurant trade that non-smoking is the general norm and there should be increasing provision of facilities for non-smokers and the availability of clean air; recognises...

That this House supports measures for encouraging breastfeeding, recognises the benefits to the health of nursing mothers and their babies; believes that improved facilities should be available in the Palace of Westminster to enable breastfeeding to take place in comfort and privacy; deplores, however plans to allow breastfeeding in the Chamber and committee rooms of the House of Commons, which are not suitable environment for nursing babies; and opposes such plans as totally unnecessary given the close proximity of alternative facilities.

That this House supports measures for encouraging breastfeeding, recognises the benefits to the health of nursing mothers and their babies; believes that improved facilities should be available in the Palace of Westminster to enable breastfeeding to take place in comfort and privacy; deplores, however plans to allow breastfeeding in the...

That this House believes that a democratically elected Parliament should seek to reflect the make-up of its population; notes that while women make up 51 per cent. of the UK population, only 18 per cent. of elected honourable Members are women; considers such an imbalance to be unacceptable in the 21st century; welcomes the Government's promise in the Queen's Speech to draft legislation to enable political parties to take positive action in the selection of women as parliamentary candidates; and urges the Leader of the House to bring forward the legislation as soon as possible to ensure the selection of many more women candidates for the next general election.

That this House believes that a democratically elected Parliament should seek to reflect the make-up of its population; notes that while women make up 51 per cent. of the UK population, only 18 per cent. of elected honourable Members are women; considers such an imbalance to be unacceptable in the...

That this House congratulates all the staff in the Members' Tea Room for their dedication, humour and service provided for honourable Members and Officers of the House and for their diligent work throughout the year during very unsocial hours.

That this House congratulates all the staff in the Members' Tea Room for their dedication, humour and service provided for honourable Members and Officers of the House and for their diligent work throughout the year during very unsocial hours.

That this House notes that, according to Standing Orders, procedures for the election of the new Speaker could preclude all but two of the honourable Members who may have declared their candidature from offering themselves to honourable Members for election; calls on the Procedure Committee to bring forward amendments to Standing Orders to provide for democratic elections in which each honourable Member may cast a vote for his or her chosen candidate; and further calls on the candidates to issue personal manifestos so that honourable Members may make informed choices based on the candidates' stated commitment to the rights of backbenchers and the modernisation of the House.

That this House notes that, according to Standing Orders, procedures for the election of the new Speaker could preclude all but two of the honourable Members who may have declared their candidature from offering themselves to honourable Members for election; calls on the Procedure Committee to bring forward amendments to...

That this House notes the development of increasingly sophisticated personal recognition systems within information technology; believes that many of the objections made by some honourable Members to the earlier proposals made by the Committee on the Modernisation of the House of Commons for electronic voting in the House are no longer valid; asks that the Committee re-consider this matter and present a report to Parliament as soon as possible; and further believes that the Committee should lay a Motion for the introduction of such a system before the House and let the honourable Members decide by a free vote on their preference.

That this House notes the development of increasingly sophisticated personal recognition systems within information technology; believes that many of the objections made by some honourable Members to the earlier proposals made by the Committee on the Modernisation of the House of Commons for electronic voting in the House are no...

That this House congratulates the Construction Safety Campaign and Liverpool Victims of Asbestos for organising the Ban White Asbestos Demonstration outside Canada House on 30th June to focus attention on Canada's flawed argument that they should have the freedom to appeal to the World Trade Organisation for the right to peddle their deadly dust around the world; and calls on the UK Government to push ahead with a unilateral ban and join the other nine European countries who have already banned the substance.

That this House congratulates the Construction Safety Campaign and Liverpool Victims of Asbestos for organising the Ban White Asbestos Demonstration outside Canada House on 30th June to focus attention on Canada's flawed argument that they should have the freedom to appeal to the World Trade Organisation for the right to...

That this House notes the overwhelming majority for the Wild Mammals (Hunting with Dogs) Bill; deplores the announced intention of Conservative backbench honourable Members and Peers to block the Bill by procedural devices; and asks the Government to confirm that such manoeuvres will not be allowed to frustrate the will of this House and the British people throughout this Parliament.

That this House notes the overwhelming majority for the Wild Mammals (Hunting with Dogs) Bill; deplores the announced intention of Conservative backbench honourable Members and Peers to block the Bill by procedural devices; and asks the Government to confirm that such manoeuvres will not be allowed to frustrate the will...

That this House congratulates the House authorities for the removal of ashtrays from Committee rooms and other initiatives to discourage smoking in the Palace of Westminster for the welfare and betterment of health of honourable Members and staff.

That this House congratulates the House authorities for the removal of ashtrays from Committee rooms and other initiatives to discourage smoking in the Palace of Westminster for the welfare and betterment of health of honourable Members and staff.

That this House congratulates the Serjeant at Arms' staff for the efficient and courteous manner in which they settled honourable Members in offices after the General Election; and thanks in particular Judy Scott Thomson for her efforts, which went far beyond the already high standard of service delivered by all staff in the Palace.

That this House congratulates the Serjeant at Arms' staff for the efficient and courteous manner in which they settled honourable Members in offices after the General Election; and thanks in particular Judy Scott Thomson for her efforts, which went far beyond the already high standard of service delivered by all...

That this House is concerned at reports that the BBC is considering re-organisation of the Radio 4 Today programme which could extinguish Yesterday in Parliament; considers that Yesterday in Parliament is a unique and effective summary of parliamentary debate using quotes directly from honourable Members themselves; notes that about 20 per cent of the programme covers the House of Lords, which would otherwise receive virtually no direct quote factual reporting; and calls upon the BBC to maintain the Yesterday in Parliament programme in its current format for morning broadcast.

That this House is concerned at reports that the BBC is considering re-organisation of the Radio 4 Today programme which could extinguish Yesterday in Parliament; considers that Yesterday in Parliament is a unique and effective summary of parliamentary debate using quotes directly from honourable Members themselves; notes that about 20...

That this House calls for a moratorium on the implementation of any planned or proposed reorganisation in the staffing of the House, including any variations in staff contracts of employment and alteration of their gradesand duties, until such time as a new House of Commons Commission has been convened and has had an opportunity itself of consulting the staff and the representative organisations.

That this House calls for a moratorium on the implementation of any planned or proposed reorganisation in the staffing of the House, including any variations in staff contracts of employment and alteration of their gradesand duties, until such time as a new House of Commons Commission has been convened and...

That this House notes that dining room staff in the Members' Dining Room are no longer allowed to sit down while that are not serving, because the Director of Catering Services considers it does not give a professional image; reminds the Director that general statutory duties of employers contained in Section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work Act etc. 1974, as amended by the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1992 (SI 1992/2051), include the stipulation that suitable and sufficient facilities for rest must be provided at readily accessible places (Workplace Regulations 1992 Reg.25,1); believes that the removal of the stools in the dining room and inadequate rest room facilities are not compatible with the Act; and calls on the authorities to restore these facilities forthwith.

That this House notes that dining room staff in the Members' Dining Room are no longer allowed to sit down while that are not serving, because the Director of Catering Services considers it does not give a professional image; reminds the Director that general statutory duties of employers contained in...

That this House believes that the unused St. Stephen's Tavern should be turned into a day nursery/child care centre for use of honourable and Right honourable Members and their staff at reasonable rates; notes that this view is supported by the parliamentary branch of the TGWU, which represents secretaries, researchers and assistants; urges the relevant domestic committees to investigate this proposal as a matter of urgency; further recognises the contribution that such a day nursery would make to the recruitment and retention of staff as well as reducing absenteeism; and believes that Parliament should take the lead in supporting decent child-care provision which is so important to enhancing the ability of parents to participate in the workforce.

That this House believes that the unused St. Stephen's Tavern should be turned into a day nursery/child care centre for use of honourable and Right honourable Members and their staff at reasonable rates; notes that this view is supported by the parliamentary branch of the TGWU, which represents secretaries, researchers...

That this House deplores the decision of the Special Health Authority to close all in patient services at Hilda Lewis House, a nationally recognised centre of excellence and the only NHS facility of its type for children with severe learning difficulties and extreme behavioural problems; recognises that the loss of this valuable service will deny already vulnerable children the opportunity of much needed therapy; and demands that the closure decision be reversed and this vital service preserved.

That this House deplores the decision of the Special Health Authority to close all in patient services at Hilda Lewis House, a nationally recognised centre of excellence and the only NHS facility of its type for children with severe learning difficulties and extreme behavioural problems; recognises that the loss of...

That this House pays a sincere tribute to all present and past holders of the office of Serjeant at Arms and Badge Messengers and records its appreciation of the dedicated service given to the House by such office holders down through the years; in view of the fact that all offices of the House from Mr Speaker onwards are open to women, considers that the offices of Serjeant at Arms and Badge Messenger would be enhanced by their being opened to women in the same way as offices in every part of the administration of the House; and considers further that the House should authorise a competition among fashion designers based in the United Kingdom to produce a design for a uniform more in keeping with a modern Parliament towards the end of 20th century.

That this House pays a sincere tribute to all present and past holders of the office of Serjeant at Arms and Badge Messengers and records its appreciation of the dedicated service given to the House by such office holders down through the years; in view of the fact that all...