That this House expresses concern that IBM, a company which achieved record profits in 2008, with substantial revenues and cash reserves and which employs around 18,000 staff in the United Kingdom, is proposing changes to its final salary pension scheme that will see it closed to existing employees for future accrual after March 2010; notes that IBM are to implement an early retirement policy which will change the terms and restrict the circumstances in which the company will give its consent to early retirement; believes that this will have a devastating impact on future pensions; and calls on IBM management to address the genuine concerns of loyal and hard-working employees and to protect their pension benefits.

That this House expresses concern that IBM, a company which achieved record profits in 2008, with substantial revenues and cash reserves and which employs around 18,000 staff in the United Kingdom, is proposing changes to its final salary pension scheme that will see it closed to existing employees for future...

That this House is saddened and alarmed by the tragic deaths of 10 cyclists on London's roads this year; notes that eight of these deaths have involved heavy goods vehicles; further notes Transport for London's decision to shut down the Metropolitan Police Commercial Vehicle Education Unit (CVEU); recognises that the CVEU is the only unit in the country with the power to investigate lorry operators; further notes with concern that 70 per cent. of the lorries checked by CVEU since 2005 were found to be defective in some way; believes the work of the CVEU is desperately needed to improve road safety for cyclists; and calls on the Mayor of London to reinstate the funding for the Commercial Vehicle Education Unit.

That this House is saddened and alarmed by the tragic deaths of 10 cyclists on London's roads this year; notes that eight of these deaths have involved heavy goods vehicles; further notes Transport for London's decision to shut down the Metropolitan Police Commercial Vehicle Education Unit (CVEU); recognises that the...

That this House agrees that in order to prevent further climate-related catastrophies, radical action is required at global and local levels; understands that one step towards achieving this goal would be the involvement of local authorities in reducing carbon dioxide emissions via the introduction of measures to reduce local road traffic in their areas; and calls on the Government to help local authorities towards these endeavours by providing sufficient finance to establish a Carbon Reduction Fund for local authorities to use to improve public transport, encourage and make it safer for people to walk and cycle in or around their communities.

That this House agrees that in order to prevent further climate-related catastrophies, radical action is required at global and local levels; understands that one step towards achieving this goal would be the involvement of local authorities in reducing carbon dioxide emissions via the introduction of measures to reduce local road...

That this House notes with concern that the Japanese government continues to issue quotas for the slaughter of around 20,000 dolphins, porpoises and whales in its coastal waters each year despite the International Whaling Commission's ban on commercial whaling; is appalled that almost half a million dolphins, porpoises and whales have been cruelly slaughtered in Japanese waters since implementation of the international whaling ban in 1986; is further concerned that the dolphin hunts are driving some populations to extinction; is alarmed at the considerable health concerns arising from high levels of mercury and other toxins found in whale, dolphin and porpoise products that are sold for public consumption, and even included in school lunches in Japan; and urges the Prime Minister to make the strongest possible representations to the new Japanese government calling on it to stop all whale, dolphin and porpoise hunts immediately.

That this House notes with concern that the Japanese government continues to issue quotas for the slaughter of around 20,000 dolphins, porpoises and whales in its coastal waters each year despite the International Whaling Commission's ban on commercial whaling; is appalled that almost half a million dolphins, porpoises and whales...

That this House notes that when the Government announced its support for a third runway at Heathrow airport a commitment was given that BAA would bring forward a scheme to protect those families whose homes were blighted by the proposed runway; further notes with concern that, despite repeated promises, BAA has failed to trigger the implementation of the scheme, blaming lack of financial guarantees from airlines, with the result that many families are trapped in extremely distressing circumstances, often in unsuitable overcrowded accommodation, unable to sell their homes, with lenders refusing to lend for purchases; and therefore calls on the Government to intervene urgently to resolve the failure of BAA to fulfil its commitments given to the Government on the third runway announcement.

That this House notes that when the Government announced its support for a third runway at Heathrow airport a commitment was given that BAA would bring forward a scheme to protect those families whose homes were blighted by the proposed runway; further notes with concern that, despite repeated promises, BAA...

That this House recognises that eighty per cent. of people with autism on incapacity benefit want to work yet only 15 per cent. are currently in full time work; acknowledges that one third are without access to either benefits or work; further recognises that the system is failing people with autism; agrees that all adults with autism should be supported to work when they can and be able to access benefits when they cannot work; urges the Government to lead the way with a national strategy that meets the employment needs of people with autism; congratulates the National Autistic Society for highlighting these issues in its campaign Don't Write Me Off; and calls for changes to make the system fair for people with autism.

That this House recognises that eighty per cent. of people with autism on incapacity benefit want to work yet only 15 per cent. are currently in full time work; acknowledges that one third are without access to either benefits or work; further recognises that the system is failing people with...

That this House is extremely concerned over the failings of the Student Loans Company to deal effectively with student applications for loans in 2009; notes that when most students had commenced their courses on 4 October 2009, 175,000 were waiting for their loans of which 136,410 were first time applicants; further notes that, despite commitments to manage the backlog, 116,000 undergraduates have received no money; recognises that the Student Loans Company has had to deal with record numbers of applications but has failed to prepare adequately for the increased demand; and calls on the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills to carry out an immediate inquiry into the operation of the Student Loans Company to prevent a reoccurrence in 2010.

That this House is extremely concerned over the failings of the Student Loans Company to deal effectively with student applications for loans in 2009; notes that when most students had commenced their courses on 4 October 2009, 175,000 were waiting for their loans of which 136,410 were first time applicants;...

That this House welcomes the United Nations' mandated report led by eminent judge Richard Goldstone, which details transgressions by both the Israeli military and Palestinian groups during fighting from December 2008 to January 2009 in Gaza; notes that the report concludes that Israel's actions amounted to war crimes and possibly crimes against humanity due to disproportionate use of force that involved the deliberate targeting of civilian infrastructure and the use of illegal weapons and human shields as part of an intentional policy directed at the people of Gaza as a whole; further notes that the Mission urges the UN Security Council to refer the matter to the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court should Israel's internal investigations not prove satisfactory; further notes that Hamas was also considered to have committed war crimes and crimes against humanity in the firing of rockets and mortars at civilians, but that whilst Hamas already faces sanctions from the international community Israel enjoys widespread patronage and support from many nations, including the UK; and calls on the British Government to insist that all parties are held fully accountable for their actions in order to deter future war crimes and crimes against humanity from taking place.

That this House welcomes the United Nations' mandated report led by eminent judge Richard Goldstone, which details transgressions by both the Israeli military and Palestinian groups during fighting from December 2008 to January 2009 in Gaza; notes that the report concludes that Israel's actions amounted to war crimes and possibly...

That this House believes that deaf and severely hard of hearing people are being excluded from benefiting from modern telecommunications; recognises that improvements and modernisation are needed to the telephone relay services by which they and hearing telephone users communicate; further recognises that the technology required to bring about these improvements is available and is in use in several countries; further believes that wide availability of broadband connections will dramatically enhance the relay service facilities that can be offered; and calls on the Government to use the Digital Britain report as the basis to introduce a package of service developments and funding which will end the exclusion of a million of our fellow citizens.

That this House believes that deaf and severely hard of hearing people are being excluded from benefiting from modern telecommunications; recognises that improvements and modernisation are needed to the telephone relay services by which they and hearing telephone users communicate; further recognises that the technology required to bring about these...

That this House notes that the BBC is recognised as setting a quality standard for broadcasting throughout the UK and being a significant employer of those working in broadcasting in the UK and the main provider of education and training in the sector; further notes that the Corporation is uniquely and directly accountable through the BBC Trust to the licence fee payer with the purpose to inform, educate and entertain; believes that the BBC is extremely popular with audiences and provides an unrivalled range of high quality public service content via eight national television channels plus regional programming, 10 national radio stations, 40 local radio stations and an extensive website; and therefore reaffirms its commitment to the future of the BBC and its exclusive use of licence fee funding.

That this House notes that the BBC is recognised as setting a quality standard for broadcasting throughout the UK and being a significant employer of those working in broadcasting in the UK and the main provider of education and training in the sector; further notes that the Corporation is uniquely...

That this House believes that any forthcoming Strategic Defence Review should examine all aspects of United Kingdom defence and security; is concerned that the Government excludes from the review which it has announced consideration of the replacement of the Trident nuclear weapons system; notes the Government's intention to conclude the Initial Gate decision on Trident replacement which will commit additional funds to the submarine design process in September 2009, during the Parliamentary recess; requests that, in the light of pressure on the defence budget and the forthcoming review, the Initial Gate decision be delayed until Parliament is in session and can be presented with the Initial Gate report for scrutiny.

That this House believes that any forthcoming Strategic Defence Review should examine all aspects of United Kingdom defence and security; is concerned that the Government excludes from the review which it has announced consideration of the replacement of the Trident nuclear weapons system; notes the Government's intention to conclude the...

That this House notes that the UK has the highest train fares in Europe; further notes that the Government is cutting its financial contribution to rail and making passengers pay a greater share, and that this policy leads to fare increases on regulated and unregulated tickets in real terms every year, which will mean ticket price rises in real terms in 2010, even though there may be a nominal decrease in some tickets due to deflation; further notes that rail is a low carbon mode of transport; recognises that modal shift to public transport could achieve significant carbon reduction; and calls on the Government to review current rail fares regulation and policy, with a view to reducing fares to encourage more people to take the train instead of driving or flying.

That this House notes that the UK has the highest train fares in Europe; further notes that the Government is cutting its financial contribution to rail and making passengers pay a greater share, and that this policy leads to fare increases on regulated and unregulated tickets in real terms every...

That this House recognises that the closure or the Council for the Registration of Forensic Practitioners (CRFP) on 31 March 2009, mid-way through the Government's consultation into the future regulation of forensic practitioners, has left a hiatus in regulation; further recognises the important role that forensic scientists play in providing expert witness in the criminal and civil courts; is concerned that the 3,000 practitioners, covering 29 specialties of forensic science, who are registered with the CRFP are no longer regulated; and believes that as the Government looks to design a new regulatory model that a robust and thorough debate around the future of the sector is required.

That this House recognises that the closure or the Council for the Registration of Forensic Practitioners (CRFP) on 31 March 2009, mid-way through the Government's consultation into the future regulation of forensic practitioners, has left a hiatus in regulation; further recognises the important role that forensic scientists play in providing...

That this House notes the statement in the Digital Britain report that the Government wishes `to see local TV thrive'; believes that truly local television would make a significant contribution to public service broadcasting and democratic engagement in local communities; acknowledges Ofcom's view that broadband provision complements traditional public service broadcasting platforms; further notes Ofcom's statement `that the potential for broadcasting spectrum to support local television should be kept open'; recognises the UK's commitment, as a signatory to the Council of Europe Declaration on Community Media, to the principle of allocating a sufficient number of frequencies to community media, both radio and television; and looks to the Government to implement the provisions in the Communications Act 2003 to ensure that a viable local television network is established ensuring all citizens have access to a dedicated channel on both Freeview and cable, providing local news, local discussion, community programming and local advertising.

That this House notes the statement in the Digital Britain report that the Government wishes `to see local TV thrive'; believes that truly local television would make a significant contribution to public service broadcasting and democratic engagement in local communities; acknowledges Ofcom's view that broadband provision complements traditional public service...

That this House notes the Chinese government's systematic persecution of those peacefully expressing their beliefs, including detention without trial, torture and judicial execution; further notes, in particular, that July 2009 marks the tenth year of the use of these measures against Falun Gong practitioners; further notes the Vice-President of the European Parliament???s request to the UN Secretary General to initiate an inquiry into this issue; and calls on the Government to support unequivocally the Vice President???s call for an inquiry, and to make representations to the UN Secretary General to that effect.

That this House notes the Chinese government's systematic persecution of those peacefully expressing their beliefs, including detention without trial, torture and judicial execution; further notes, in particular, that July 2009 marks the tenth year of the use of these measures against Falun Gong practitioners; further notes the Vice-President of the...

That this House believes that it is vitally important to involve, rather than simply instruct, people and communities and local authorities in efforts to combat climate change; notes that the Sustainable Energy (Local Action) Bill, introduced by a cross-party group of hon. Members, will set in motion that process by giving councils and citizens a co-operative role in drawing up and implementing sustainable energy plans whose objectives would be to help combat climate change, protect energy security and alleviate fuel poverty; further notes that the bottom-up mechanisms in the Bill are based on those in the Sustainable Communities Act 2007, whch was warmly supported by all sides of the House; and therefore supports the measures in the Bill and hopes they will be enacted soon.

That this House believes that it is vitally important to involve, rather than simply instruct, people and communities and local authorities in efforts to combat climate change; notes that the Sustainable Energy (Local Action) Bill, introduced by a cross-party group of hon. Members, will set in motion that process by...

That this House congratulates the nine waterway organisations including the Inland Waterways Association, Royal Yachting Association and British Marine Federation that have joined together to promote inland waterways; notes that they recognise the importance waterways have for leisure, recreation, business and freight; further notes their call for a comprehensive overhaul of waterways legislation, for recognition across Government departments of inland waterways' importance, for the restoration of derelict waterways and for the construction of new waterways where there is a social, environmental or business case; and believes that the current review of Waterways for Tomorrow should identify clear key performance indicators and timescales for delivery and an appropriate funding strategy.

That this House congratulates the nine waterway organisations including the Inland Waterways Association, Royal Yachting Association and British Marine Federation that have joined together to promote inland waterways; notes that they recognise the importance waterways have for leisure, recreation, business and freight; further notes their call for a comprehensive overhaul...

That this House notes the recently expressed concerns of the Fire Brigades Union that the FireControl Project should have been completed by the end of 2007; further notes that the Government claimed it would make considerable savings, paying for itself within five years and improve on the current system; further notes that the project is considerably over budget and will make no savings, continues to face considerable technical challenges and is now facing further delays which means the full national network may not be in place and rigorously tested in time for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games; further notes the concerns of the Chief Fire Officers Association that the lack of detail in the project requirements will jeopardise the project meeting the recently revised timescales and that further delays will threaten the operational continuity of existing control rooms, including the lack of capacity to meet the transitional requirements within the declared project timescales; and therefore calls for the project to be stopped and for existing control rooms to be swiftly upgraded as necessary to ensure the communications benefits sought by Government are delivered by local fire brigade control rooms as they will be in Scotland and are in Wales without the need for regionalisation.

That this House notes the recently expressed concerns of the Fire Brigades Union that the FireControl Project should have been completed by the end of 2007; further notes that the Government claimed it would make considerable savings, paying for itself within five years and improve on the current system; further...

That this House notes the new research from the University of Dundee released by Mencap and the Changing Places Consortium which reveals that up to 230,252 people require the use of a Changing Places toilet; further notes that this 230,252 includes 36,782 people with profound and multiple learning disabilities, 30,947 people with cerebral palsy, 8,000 people with spina bifida and 8,500 people with multiple sclerosis; is alarmed that despite this massive demand there are only 85 Changing Places toilets available in the UK; understands that a Changing Places toilet is a toilet which has enough space for a disabled person, their carers and the right equipment which includes an adult-sized height-adjustable changing bench and a hoist; further understands that without them people who need support from one or two carers to use the toilet or to have their continence pad changed either have to stay at home or their family carers have to resort to changing them on dirty toilet floors; calls on the Government to encourage the building of Changing Places toilets in venues such as hospitals, shopping centres or large train stations; and further calls on the Government to amend Part M of the Building Regulations to ensure that all newly built major public buildings provide a Changing Places toilet.

That this House notes the new research from the University of Dundee released by Mencap and the Changing Places Consortium which reveals that up to 230,252 people require the use of a Changing Places toilet; further notes that this 230,252 includes 36,782 people with profound and multiple learning disabilities, 30,947...

That this House notes the important contribution interns working for hon. Members make; further notes internships in Parliament offer young people a transformative insight into political life and an important gateway into politics; believes that people from all around the UK, and from diverse backgrounds should have an equal opportunity to take part in internships for hon. Members; further believes hon. Members should be leading the country through providing best practice internships; welcomes the new Interns Agreement launched by the Unite Parliamentary Staff Branch, a document analogous to an employment contract, which sets out what both the hon. Member and the intern can expect from the internship; urges all hon. Members to use an Interns Agreement to ensure that their interns are offered a fulfilling and fair experience with the opportunity for training and development; and urges the House to consider bringing forward measures similar to those of the European Parliament to offer well structured, resourced and transparently advertised internship programmes.

That this House notes the important contribution interns working for hon. Members make; further notes internships in Parliament offer young people a transformative insight into political life and an important gateway into politics; believes that people from all around the UK, and from diverse backgrounds should have an equal opportunity...