That this House, noting the launch of the Pound Campaign, a non-partisan group to initiate debate on the effects of the UK exchange rate on British manufacturers and exporters, recognises that exporting is vital for Britain and fundamental to generating sustainable UK economic growth; further recognises the need to boost and strengthen manufacturing to rebuild a healthy broad-based economy; notes the persistence and scale of the UK trade deficit on goods and that Britain has not had an overall trade surplus since 1983 as a result; further notes the link between the level of UK exchange rate and the profitability of manufacturing and exporting for UK-based companies; and therefore calls on the Government to investigate the impact of the current rise in the exchange rate of the pound on the sustainability and profitability of UK-based manufacturers and exporters.

That this House, noting the launch of the Pound Campaign, a non-partisan group to initiate debate on the effects of the UK exchange rate on British manufacturers and exporters, recognises that exporting is vital for Britain and fundamental to generating sustainable UK economic growth; further recognises the need to boost...

That this House recognises the need for journalists to pursue difficult stories in the public interest without fear of prosecution; is concerned about the situation facing journalists who have been arrested and charged in relation to charges of conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office; believes that such charges, levied against individuals who had no role in the authorisation of payments nor responsibility for a workplace culture where such payments were institutionalised and where trade union recognition was not allowed, do nothing to tackle the real issue of corporate responsibility for any alleged wrongdoing; regrets that it is ordinary working journalists who are being targeted, whilst senior executives and the companies themselves escape blame; further regrets that to discount the public interest defence in bringing legal proceedings sets a very damaging precedent for the industry; and therefore calls on the Director of Public Prosecutions to ensure that a consistent and fair approach is taken in regard to such cases.

That this House recognises the need for journalists to pursue difficult stories in the public interest without fear of prosecution; is concerned about the situation facing journalists who have been arrested and charged in relation to charges of conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office; believes that such charges,...

That this House recognises that the bedroom tax, spare room subsidy, is unjust, discriminates against disabled and sick people, carers, separated parents, grandparents, the low paid and the poorest, will not reduce homelessness or housing benefit spending as claimed, and puts financial and social strain on communities, landlords and local authorities; and calls on the Government to suspend the policy pending a review of its impact and effectiveness, which should consider writing off the tenant and landlord arrears it has caused.

That this House recognises that the bedroom tax, spare room subsidy, is unjust, discriminates against disabled and sick people, carers, separated parents, grandparents, the low paid and the poorest, will not reduce homelessness or housing benefit spending as claimed, and puts financial and social strain on communities, landlords and local...

That this House is concerned that the BBC is refusing to enter into meaningful negotiations with the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) on behalf of its members and is instead insisting on compulsory redundancies of BBC journalists rather than the redeployment of posts under an agreed scheme as requested by the NUJ; notes that despite extensive efforts by NUJ representatives and officials, a number of workers across BBC Scotland, the Asian Network, Newsbeat, News, Five Live, the Big Screens, the World Service and English Regions still risk compulsory redundancy as part of the Delivering Quality First programme which plans more than 2,000 job losses across the corporation; believes that in externally advertising six-month contracts to journalists who do not work for the corporation, at the same time as failing to secure redeployment opportunities for workers at risk of compulsory redundancy, some managers, such as those at BBC Scotland are failing to uphold key aspects of the redeployment agreement, let alone the spirit of the deal; and therefore calls on the BBC to enter into genuine and meaningful negotiations with the NUJ as a matter of urgency in order to resolve this dispute and considers that failing that strike action on 18 February 2013 by NUJ members in the BBC would be both inevitable and justified.

That this House is concerned that the BBC is refusing to enter into meaningful negotiations with the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) on behalf of its members and is instead insisting on compulsory redundancies of BBC journalists rather than the redeployment of posts under an agreed scheme as requested by...

That this House notes that there has been no investigation of the tax avoidance industry in this country; urges the Government to appoint an independent committee of inquiry to investigate the whole industry and particulary the role of the big four accountancy houses - PriceWaterhouseCoopers, KPMG, Deloitte and Ernst Young - in devising, marketing and implementing abusive tax avoidance schemes, several of which have been declared unlawful by UK tax tribunals and courts; and suggests that that committee should make recommendations on the legislative, regulatory and tax steps necessary to ensure that the rich pay their fair share of tax here and that all profits made in this country are properly and effectively taxed here, so that the nation, its people and its Government are not deprived of the tax revenues necessary to reduce the deficit, maintain public services and infrastructure at a time of austerity when all should pay their fair share because we're all in it together.

That this House notes that there has been no investigation of the tax avoidance industry in this country; urges the Government to appoint an independent committee of inquiry to investigate the whole industry and particulary the role of the big four accountancy houses - PriceWaterhouseCoopers, KPMG, Deloitte and Ernst Young...

That this House notes with dismay the email sent to all BBC staff working in the Global News department from Peter Horrocks, the Director of BBC Global News, which asks staff to generate money making ideas for the BBC; further notes that the email states that staff will be required to exploit new commercial opportunities as part of their appraisal process; condemns such an idea as threatening the ethos at the heart of the BBC's public service broadcasting; believes that ordering staff to focus on commercial ideas will distort the Corporation's fundamental news-gathering and reporting objectives; further believes that journalists working for the Global News Service, which includes the BBC World Service, work in some of the most challenging terrain in the world and can only carry out their work as impartial reporters rather than money gatherers; and calls on the BBC to abandon this ill conceived initiative.

That this House notes with dismay the email sent to all BBC staff working in the Global News department from Peter Horrocks, the Director of BBC Global News, which asks staff to generate money making ideas for the BBC; further notes that the email states that staff will be required...

That this House supports local newspapers as a valued part of the community across all parts of the UK; believes they should be designated as community assets under the Localism Act 2012; supports such an extension under the Act as it will allow threatened newspapers to explorealternative ownership models; further believes that local newspapers are able to report on and hold to account local politicians in ways that the national media is not able to do and that local newspapers are essential to local business through advertising; and calls on the Government to convene discussions with local newspaper groups and the National Union of Journalists in order to safeguard this invaluable source of local news across the country.

That this House supports local newspapers as a valued part of the community across all parts of the UK; believes they should be designated as community assets under the Localism Act 2012; supports such an extension under the Act as it will allow threatened newspapers to explorealternative ownership models; further...

That this House believes that local and regional newspapers play a vital role in the community; notes that in many places across the country when local amenities have been threatened with sale or closure community groups have taken over their running; further believes that community groups face more significant challenges in terms of timescale and the raising of money than the private enterprises bidding against them; further notes that the Localism Act 2011requires local authorities to maintain a list of assets of community value which have been nominated by the local community; further notes that when listed assets come up for sale or change of ownership the Localism Act 2011gives community groups the time to develop a bid and raise the money to bid to buy the asset when it comes on the open market; and supports the National Union of Journalists' campaign for local and regional newspapers to be listed with local councils as assets of community under the Act.

That this House believes that local and regional newspapers play a vital role in the community; notes that in many places across the country when local amenities have been threatened with sale or closure community groups have taken over their running; further believes that community groups face more significant challenges...

That this House condemns the proposal to allow the News International takeover of BSkyB; believes that News Corporation has breached previous assurances when taking over The Times, TheSunday Times, The Sun and the News of the World; further condemns the short consultation period of eight days on this takeover; further believes that there are serious questions outstanding over phone hacking at theNews International-owned News of the World; further believes that the takeover should not be approved whilst such questions are outstanding; and calls on the Government to stop the News International takeover of BSkyB.

That this House condemns the proposal to allow the News International takeover of BSkyB; believes that News Corporation has breached previous assurances when taking over The Times, TheSunday Times, The Sun and the News of the World; further condemns the short consultation period of eight days on this takeover; further...

That this House is concerned about the use of undercover police officers to infiltrate protest groups; notes the recent decision by the Director of Public Prosecutions urging 20 climate activists to appeal their convictions and that this decision followed allegations that police suppressed evidence relating to an undercover officer; considers that the inquiry with the widest remit, being conducted by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary into the operational accountability of undercover work, is inadequate in scope and insufficiently independent to respond to the many and serious issues raised by the exposure of undercover police officers; and calls for a full and independent inquiry into undercover police surveillance of UK protestors.

That this House is concerned about the use of undercover police officers to infiltrate protest groups; notes the recent decision by the Director of Public Prosecutions urging 20 climate activists to appeal their convictions and that this decision followed allegations that police suppressed evidence relating to an undercover officer; considers...

That this House notes that the new register of lobbyists published on 1 March 2011 by the fledgling UK Public Affairs Council was riddled with errors, omissions, inconsistencies and redactions; further notes that it includes the entries of only a very small percentage of the thousands of lobbyists who should be registered and that it includes substantially less information than many registrants would have wished; believes that the Council's failure to deal with registration in an open, transparent, comprehensive and professional manner demonstrates beyond all reasonable doubt that the consistency and clarity of statutory regulation is now the only appropriate course of action; and invites the Coalition Government to bring forward legislation to regulate the lobbying profession without further delay.

That this House notes that the new register of lobbyists published on 1 March 2011 by the fledgling UK Public Affairs Council was riddled with errors, omissions, inconsistencies and redactions; further notes that it includes the entries of only a very...

That this House is concerned that proposals for new fixed-term tenancies for council and housing association tenants, and up to 80 per cent. of market rents for new housing association lettings, combined with cuts in housing benefit rates exclude claimants from high-rent areas in towns, cities and rural areas, will lead to increased rent arrears, evictions and homelessness; is further concerned that while new high rents will drive up housing benefit costs, the proposals will fail to regulate high private rents and not build any of the secure, genuinely-affordable homes for rent needed by the five million on housing waiting lists and others who will be priced out of the unaffordable and insecure private rental and mortgage market; welcomes the Housing Emergency lobby of Parliament on 15 February 2011 demanding that the Government cap rents rather than housing benefit, drop attacks on secure tenancies and proposed means testing of future tenants and stop evictions which will come from cuts in housing benefit; opposes proposals for social rents of up to 80 per cent. market rents; and calls on the Government to build new and improved secure, low rent, accountable council and other housing.

That this House is concerned that proposals for new fixed-term tenancies for council and housing association tenants, and up to 80 per cent. of market rents for new housing association lettings, combined with cuts in housing benefit rates exclude claimants from high-rent areas in towns, cities and rural areas, will...

That this House supports the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) members taking industrial action at Newsquest Newspapers Group; believes they have been forced to take this course of action as a result of widespread attacks on jobs and an on-going imposed three-year pay freeze; notes the company is generating huge profits and the latest accounts for parent company Gannett UK show that the highest paid director enjoyed a massive 108,000 hike in his overall pay to 609,235 last year which exposes the corporate greed doing so much damage to their papers and websites; further notes that trade union members have balloted for and have taken strike action at a number of Newsquest sites across the UK; further notes the determination of NUJ members at Newsquest to oppose pay freezes, attacks on their pensions and job cuts; commends their stand to defend quality journalism; and urges Newsquest to enter into meaningful discussions with the NUJ at all levels to resolve these disputes by protecting jobs and investing in the journalism of its titles and websites to meet the needs of local communities and advertisers.

That this House supports the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) members taking industrial action at Newsquest Newspapers Group; believes they have been forced to take this course of action as a result of widespread attacks on jobs and an on-going imposed three-year pay freeze; notes the company is generating huge...

That this House notes the anniversary on 23 November 2010 of the world's single biggest mass killing of journalists; further notes that this occurred in Ampatuan town, Maguindanao in the Southern Philippines when 58 people were killed, including 32 journalists and media workers; further notes that to date nobody has been brought to justice for the massacre; supports the campaign by the National Union of Journalists and the International Federation of Journalists for justice for the victims and the Global Day of Action on 23 November 2010; and calls on the Government to make representations to the Philippine government to ensure that justice is done.

That this House notes the anniversary on 23 November 2010 of the world's single biggest mass killing of journalists; further notes that this occurred in Ampatuan town, Maguindanao in the Southern Philippines when 58 people were killed, including 32 journalists and media workers; further notes that to date nobody has...

That this House is concerned at the BBC management's proposals to alter its staff pension scheme; is alarmed that these changes, which will effectively lead to the closure of current BBC pension schemes, will affect thousands of BBC staff and raise the prospect of them, losing tens of thousands of pounds in their retirement; notes that over 90 per cent. of BBC union members voted in favour of industrial action over this issue; and calls on the BBC management to reconsider its proposals and instead engage in meaningful negotiations with the National Union of Journalists, the Broadcasting, Entertainment, Cinematograph and Theatre Union and Unite, the trade unions representing BBC staff to resolve the dispute and ensure that these staff have the fair pension scheme to which they are entitled.

That this House is concerned at the BBC management's proposals to alter its staff pension scheme; is alarmed that these changes, which will effectively lead to the closure of current BBC pension schemes, will affect thousands of BBC staff and raise the prospect of them, losing tens of thousands of...

That this House notes the increasing share of the UK domestic road freight market taken up by overseas registered vehicles; further notes that these vehicles pay nothing in terms of vehicle excise duty to the UK Exchequer, and under cabotage regulations can operate three times in seven days in the UK without any compulsion to fill their tank and pay fuel duty; regrets the negative impact this disparity in the cost of doing business is having on UK road freight operators; and calls on the Government to find an appropriate mechanism to ensure that this massive competitive advantage overseas operators enjoy in the UK market is reduced as a matter of urgency.

That this House notes the increasing share of the UK domestic road freight market taken up by overseas registered vehicles; further notes that these vehicles pay nothing in terms of vehicle excise duty to the UK Exchequer, and under cabotage regulations can operate three times in seven days in the...

That this House, observing that the intention of the founding Act of the Bank of England in 1694 was `that their Majesties' subjects may not be oppressed by the said corporation', notes that those subjects have been seriously oppressed by the Bank's failure to control the greed, risk-taking and speculation of the banking system over which it presides; and therefore suggests that this oppression should be dealt with as the Act provides, by fines in the sum of three times the value of the abusive trading.

That this House, observing that the intention of the founding Act of the Bank of England in 1694 was `that their Majesties' subjects may not be oppressed by the said corporation', notes that those subjects have been seriously oppressed by the Bank's failure to control the greed, risk-taking and speculation...

That this House, convinced that the courage and devotion to duty of members of the British armed forces who are killed while on active service for their country should be recognised and rewarded in every possible way, particularly by the pensions and help given to the families they leave behind; recommends that the Ministry of Defence's rule providing that pensions on promotion are payable only after the role for the new rank has been held for a year should be revoked for those killed in the service of their country, so that their families are paid the rate appropriate to the rank held at the time of death; and considers that the family of Sergeant Matthew Telford of Grimsby, promoted to the rank in June 2009 but killed by an assassin in Afghanistan in November of that year, along with Guardsman Jimmy Major of Cleethorpes and three other soldiers, should be paid the full pension appropriate to the rank he was proud to honour at the time of his death.

That this House, convinced that the courage and devotion to duty of members of the British armed forces who are killed while on active service for their country should be recognised and rewarded in every possible way, particularly by the pensions and help given to the families they leave behind;...

That this House welcomes the commitment by the Coalition Government to introduce a statutory register of political lobbyists; notes that a recent ComRes survey finds that such an approach would have the support of 62 per cent. of lobbyists; expresses its concern, however, that unless underpinned by a statutory code of ethical practice to which registrants would have to adhere, the implied credibility of statutory registration could be enjoyed by practitioners who do not act ethically and who indeed may even breach the law; observes that such a situation would be completely unacceptable; and urges the Government to ensure that from the moment of its introduction the registration process includes a specific obligation to comply with statutory ethical principles.

That this House welcomes the commitment by the Coalition Government to introduce a statutory register of political lobbyists; notes that a recent ComRes survey finds that such an approach would have the support of 62 per cent. of lobbyists; expresses its concern, however, that unless underpinned by a statutory code...

That this House notes News Corporation's current bidding for full control of British Sky Broadcasting and Rupert Murdoch's plans to continue to extend his powerful media empire; recognises a healthy democracy depends in part on the culture of a free, plural and diverse media; considers it important to support the growth and availability of quality journalism across a range of platforms and providers; believes it is the duty of politicians not just to consider media companies and shareholders but also the interests of the workforce and the communities they serve; urges the Government not to enable further excessive concentrations of ownership; supports the Trades Union Congress and the National Union of Journalists' calls for full scrutiny of the proposed deal; and calls on the UK regulators and European competition authorities to carry out reviews.

That this House notes News Corporation's current bidding for full control of British Sky Broadcasting and Rupert Murdoch's plans to continue to extend his powerful media empire; recognises a healthy democracy depends in part on the culture of a free, plural and diverse media; considers it important to support the...