That this House is painfully aware of the widespread devastation that was caused in the East Midlands by recent severe weather conditions causing a long-term loss of crucial water and electricity supplies to factories, pits, hospitals, shops, nursing homes, hostels and to hundreds of thousands of people in their homes, including the aged, young children and others at risk; congratulates all those who worked so hard to re-establish supplies and those who brought water, food and heating to those in need, including local radio stations who helped to keep those with battery-operated radios supplied with vital information about these rescue operations; recognises that the devastation was at its very worst in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire; utterly condemns the Government for failing to handle the emergency including its refusal to announce that Bellwin and other monies will be provided for local authorities,voluntary organisations and individuals involved in rescue operations; further condemns the national media for failing to focus sufficient attention on this crisis; believes that Government and national media action was not forthcoming because of the emergency taking place outside Southern England and because it coincided with the flotation and initial marketing of East Midlands Electricity shares which would have been undersubscribed and have fallen sharply in value if the truth of the situation had been widely known; and expects the Government to act immediately to assist affected populations if severe weather conditions return.

That this House is painfully aware of the widespread devastation that was caused in the East Midlands by recent severe weather conditions causing a long-term loss of crucial water and electricity supplies to factories, pits, hospitals, shops, nursing homes, hostels and to hundreds of thousands of people in their homes,...

That this House re-affirms its deep concern for the plight of masses of people in the East Midlands who are still without electricity supplies some 250,000 people were still without electricity supplies and that under present arrangements significant numbers of these will be without electricity for well over a week before their supplies are reconnected; expresses admiration for the considerable efforts of hard-pressed electricity workers in their attempts to re-establish supplies; but condemns utterly the failure of the Department of Energy to either declare that an emergency exists or to move essential resources into the East Midlands to tackle the crisis; regrets that East Midland Electricity has itself failed to ask the Department of Energy to take emergency action; and believes that this is due to fears of the impact that such a move would have upon the flotation and sale of its electricity shares.

That this House re-affirms its deep concern for the plight of masses of people in the East Midlands who are still without electricity supplies some 250,000 people were still without electricity supplies and that under present arrangements significant numbers of these will be without electricity for well over a week...

That this House is gravely concerned at the plight of the elderly, the disabled and all low income groups; is aware that the beauty of the Christmas card landscape, effected by the artistry of frost and snow, hides a relentless, remorseless enemy which brought death to some in the current severe winter weather and put at risk many more thousands who were required to use fuel to excess in the circumstances because of the abnormality of the extreme cold weather; and calls on the Prime Minister to bring an end to this risk by activating immediately the special cold weather payments.

That this House is gravely concerned at the plight of the elderly, the disabled and all low income groups; is aware that the beauty of the Christmas card landscape, effected by the artistry of frost and snow, hides a relentless, remorseless enemy which brought death to some in the current...

That this House deplores the recent loss of livestock killed while being transported across the Channel in rough weather; and calls upon the Council of Ministers to review and amend European Commission proposals for regulations governing the transportation of live animals to guarantee the welfare of those animals at all times and to end the unnecessary traffic in live animals for slaughter throughout the European Community.

That this House deplores the recent loss of livestock killed while being transported across the Channel in rough weather; and calls upon the Council of Ministers to review and amend European Commission proposals for regulations governing the transportation of live animals to guarantee the welfare of those animals at all...

That this House congratulates Hinckley and Bosworth District Council, Leicestershire County Council, the Leicestershire police, fire and ambulance services and all other services in the county who worked so hard at the weekend to cope with appalling weather conditions.

That this House congratulates Hinckley and Bosworth District Council, Leicestershire County Council, the Leicestershire police, fire and ambulance services and all other services in the county who worked so hard at the weekend to cope with appalling weather conditions.

That this House congratulates the East and West Midlands independent radio stations Mercia FM and Leicester Sound for their efforts to inform the public of the atrocious weather conditions of the weekend and its consequences; notes that Mercia FM broadcast its snowline information service non-stop from 6 a.m. Saturday to 1 a.m. Tuesday morning, took 15,000 telephone calls during this period, helped with advice for schools, broadcast 240 live on-air reports from more than 20 authorities and services and dropped revenue earning sponsored programmes in the public interest; further notes that Leicester Sound operated unusually for 24 hours per day at the weekend to provide vital information and a snowline and schools line for headmasters to keep parents in touch, and made particular efforts to contact individuals who were stranded or cut off; and congratulates the staff of both stations.

That this House congratulates the East and West Midlands independent radio stations Mercia FM and Leicester Sound for their efforts to inform the public of the atrocious weather conditions of the weekend and its consequences; notes that Mercia FM broadcast its snowline information service non-stop from 6 a.m. Saturday to...

That this House is deeply concerned about the plight of masses of people who are still without electricity and water supplies three days after the arrival of recent severe weather conditions; is especially worried about the well-being of half a million such people in the East Midlands, many of whom under present arrangements will have to wait a further four days or so for their electricity supplies to be re-connected; applauds the selfless efforts of workpeople and organisations which have assisted those in such desperate circumstances, but utterly condemns the failure of the Department of Energy to recognise that an emergency exists in the East Midlands requiring the moving of resources and expertise into the area to help tackle the current crisis; and notes that the Secretary of State's main interest in the electricity industry is its privatisation, a move which is contrary to the needs of the current situation and the long-term interests of the nation.

That this House is deeply concerned about the plight of masses of people who are still without electricity and water supplies three days after the arrival of recent severe weather conditions; is especially worried about the well-being of half a million such people in the East Midlands, many of whom...

That this House congratulates BBC Radio WM for the magnificent display of broadcasting professionalism over the weekend of 8th and 9th December in keeping the citizens of Birmingham and the West Midlands informed during the worst winter storms for over 20 years; notes that while other local radio stations continued to play music and London-based broadcasters ignored the serious situation for several hours, Radio WM issued a constant stream of useful information and broadcast pleas for help from people trapped in both houses and motor vehicles, particular those trapped in motor vehicles on the M6 motorway for several hours, including honourable Members, and gave details of transport arrangements and changing road conditions; believes this is what local radio should be about; and requests the London-based BBC Board of Governors to give a sign that they recognised what a valuable asset they hold on trust for the public in the shape of Radio WM.

That this House congratulates BBC Radio WM for the magnificent display of broadcasting professionalism over the weekend of 8th and 9th December in keeping the citizens of Birmingham and the West Midlands informed during the worst winter storms for over 20 years; notes that while other local radio stations continued...