[{"topic":"Service industries","id":"44176","proposer":"10222","edm":"44","session":"2012-13","title":"Grocery Code Adjudicator","text":"That this House welcomes the publication of the Government's Groceries Code Adjudicator Bill; notes that the creation of an Adjudicator within the Office of Trading was the recommendation of the Competition Commission, which in 2008 found that larger supermarkets were abusing their market power, `transferring excessive risk and unexpected costs to their suppliers' and `that these practices would ultimately have a detrimental effect on consumers'; believes that large supermarkets have nothing to fear if they have nothing to hide and should embrace the Adjudicator as an opportunity to reassure their customers that they genuinely support the principles of fair trade; and calls on all parties to work to enact this Bill and introduce the Adjudicator as soon as possible.","date":"2012-05-10","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"44104","proposer":"10377","edm":"2996","session":"2010-12","title":"Retail Sector Slump","text":"That this House is concerned at the ever rising number of high street retailers who are entering administration in England and Wales; notes that since the beginning of 2012 the number of retailers entering administration has risen 15 per cent compared to the same time last year; further notes that the total number of businesses, including retailers, which went bust in England and Wales went up in 2011 after having fallen slightly in 2010; believes that these results show that the Government's plans to redress the loss in public sector employment through private sector employment is failing; and calls on the Government to re-evaluate schemes which would bring much needed support and stability to our high street and small retailers such as a temporary cut in VAT.","date":"2012-04-24","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"44112","proposer":"10534","edm":"3004","session":"2010-12","title":"Bacteria In Supermarket Chickens","text":"That this House notes with concern the current Consumer Association investigation into bacteria levels in UK supermarket chickens; is concerned that the evidence suggests that 18 per cent of the sample of chickens taken in the survey were contaminated with campylobacter bacteria; and calls for urgent action by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairsto tackle this health hazard, in partnership with the Food Standards Agency, and introduce the necessary processes to eliminate this serious potential source of food poisoning.","date":"2012-04-24","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"44022","proposer":"10367","edm":"2916","session":"2010-12","title":"Wasted Food","text":"That this House notes the observation of a manager of a Tesco Express store, that Tesco has no policy of selling food moving towards the end of its shelf life at a reduced price or of passing such food to charities; calls on Tesco to review this policy; requests that supermarkets and food stores generally adopt practices which allow an acceptable use of food which is currently wasted; and asks the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to consult the retail trade on ways in which a more socially and economically acceptable outcome to this waste of food by the big retailers could bebrought about.","date":"2012-03-23","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"43976","proposer":"11672","edm":"2872","session":"2010-12","title":"Ted Tuppen And Enterprise Inns","text":"That this House welcomes the Government's commitment to deal with the issue of irresponsible and crony capitalism; notes the case of Enterprise Inns' Chief Executive Ted Tuppen who in 2010 rewarded himself with a 50 per cent. pay rise of 412,000, ultimately taking home 1.22 million, including a bonus of 558,000, despite being at the helm during a period of unrelenting decline, after shares in Enterprise Inns collapsed from 770 pence in 2007 to 26 pencein January 2012, a decline in value of 96.6 per cent.; further notes that Enterprise Inns announced this year the intention to sell almost 300 pubs, the latest in a succession of such three-figure sales, as the company seeks to realise its assets; is dismayed that an organisation with a hold over community assets across the country could be so irresponsible as to amass over 3 billion of debt, including 400 million in bank debts which the latest sale will seek to refinance; and calls on the Government to address the existing pubco business model which allows top bosses like Mr Tuppen to be rewarded for failure at their companies in the form of excessive pay and bonuses while thousands of tied publicans face financial ruin, struggling to survive on less than 15,000 per year because of ruthless exploitation of a position of power.","date":"2012-03-14","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"43636","proposer":"10521","edm":"2541","session":"2010-12","title":"Living Wage For Cleaners","text":"That this House recognises the vital work of those in the cleaning profession; supports the call from Mr Guy Stallard, Director of Facilities at KPMG and a member of the Living Wage Advisory Group, expressed at the British Cleaning Council Sustainability Conference, for cleaners to be paid no less than the living wage; further recognises that the living wage has lifted 10,000 families out of poverty, reduces staff turnover for employers, promotes a positive and flexible work attitude and increases productivity; believes that employers should pay the living wage both inside and outside of London; and calls on employers around the country to pay cleaners a fair wage and sign up to the living wage initiative and related accreditation process, which is now the mark of a responsible and forward thinking employer.","date":"2011-12-13","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"43607","proposer":"24966","edm":"2512","session":"2010-12","title":"Registration Of Hairdressers (No.2)","text":"That this House notes that compulsory state registration of hairdressers is supported by the Hair and Beauty Industry Authority, City and Guilds, Freelance Hair and Beauty Federation, Hairdressing and Beauty Suppliers Association, Fellowship of British Hairdressers and the National Hairdressers Federation; believes that the widespread media interest in the registration of hairdressers shows a real appetite for improving hairdressing standards; congratulates Arthur Ehoff and Sally Styles from the Hairdressing Council for their tireless fight to raise standards; and urges the Government to work with the Hairdressing Council to make registration compulsory.","date":"2011-12-06","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"43585","proposer":"11963","edm":"2490","session":"2010-12","title":"Farepak Compensation","text":"That this House regrets that the victims of the failed Christmas hamper and savings company Farepak have not yet received compensation following the company's liquidation in October 2006; notes that the company's administrators, BDO, have announced that the cost of winding up the company has reached 8.2 million to date; further notes that this figure far exceeds the current level of compensation agreed for victims, which stands at 5.53 million; and calls on the Government to ensure that all those who have lost out to Farepak are compensated for their losses and to consider the more strict regulation of the prepayment industry.","date":"2011-11-29","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"43546","proposer":"24966","edm":"2454","session":"2010-12","title":"Use Of Peroxide In Hairdressing","text":"That this House notes a number of recent tragic cases of people injured and even killed by peroxide hair products; further notes that these injuries are entirely preventable without banning the products; believes that having all qualified hairdressers properly registered will further enable the industry strongly to encourage purchasers to have the product applied only by professionals; and encourages the Government to consider the statutory registration of all professional hairdressers.","date":"2011-11-22","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"43544","proposer":"11672","edm":"2452","session":"2010-12","title":"Enterprise Inns And Business, Innovation And Skills Committee Report On Pub Companies","text":"That this House condemns the recent attack on the Business, Innovation and Skills Committee by Enterprise Inns' Chief Executive Ted Tuppen, who described the Committee's efforts in compiling its report on pub companies (TenthReport of Session 2010-12, HC 1369-1) as `political pantomime' implied that Parliamentary privilege had been abused in order to `exaggerate, insult and mislead' and suggested that the Government is incapable of instilling `proper analytical discipline'; notes that this comes from a man who previously called hon. Members `morons' for raising legitimate concerns about Enterprise Inns' treatment of its tenant lessees and whose salary soared to 1.22 million after taking a 50 per cent. pay rise whilst the company's share price collapsed by 75 per cent. in the last 12 months and almost 600 Enterprise pubs were closed and sold off to plug a 3.3 billion debt; further notes that Mr Tuppen complains about the latest select committee report, despite this being the latest of four damning reports all of which were highly critical of Enterprise Inns' business practices, including exposing Enterprise Inns for having misled prospective lessees by providing wildly unrealistic projections to them; further notes that Enterprise has now failed to do what four select committee reports have said it should, including the 2010 report which made clear that failure to self-reform within 14 months would lead to the reform proposals now being considered by the Government; therefore calls on the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills to press on with the much needed reform of the pub industry; and suggests that Enterprise Inns' shareholders press for Mr Tuppen's resignation considering the damage he continues to do to Enterprise Inns' reputation.","date":"2011-11-21","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"43501","proposer":"10383","edm":"2411","session":"2010-12","title":"Cleaners' Wages At Exchange Tower, Canary Wharf","text":"That this House is concerned that the cleaners employed by LCC Support Services, under contract from MGPA private equity company, to provide cleaning and support services at the prestigious Exchange Tower in Canary Wharf, are paid below the London Living Wage; notes with concern that employees at Exchange Tower have been paid beneath the London Living Wage for many years; and urges MGPA to raise the wages of its cleaners contracted at the Exchange Tower to the rate recommended by the Greater London Authority as the London Living Wage of 8.30 per hour.","date":"2011-11-09","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"43467","proposer":"11189","edm":"2378","session":"2010-12","title":"Distiller Of The Year","text":"That this House congratulates Chivas Brothers on winning Distiller of the Year at the International Spirits Challenge Awards; notes that the company also collected gold medals for three Moray malts: The Glenlivet 18-year old, Aberlour 16-year-old Double Matured and Strathisla 12-year-old; also congratulates William Grant Son who won a trophy and gold medal for The Balvenie Portwood and gold medals for their Glenfiddich 40-year-old, Glenfiddich Age of Discovery and The Balvenie Signature; further notes that with more than 1,000 entries from nearly 70 countries these accolades are for a significant achievement; and recognises that whisky is a key industry for Moray and the successes in this competition are thoroughly deserved.","date":"2011-11-03","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"43399","proposer":"11672","edm":"2311","session":"2010-12","title":"British Pub Week 2011","text":"That this House notes and welcomes the organisation of the second British Pub Week, which will take place between 28 October and 6 November 2011; recognises the opportunity British Pub Week 2011 offers to celebrate the importance of pubs as a part of this country's history and heritage, their huge importance to the communities they serve as a focus for community, social, sporting and charitable activity and the unique social experience they provide; welcomes the opportunity for British pubs tocome together to promote the trade; further notes the encouragement of pubs by a number of organisations to celebrate British Pub Week through special events and activities during the week; and encourages hon. Members to support their local pubs' participation in British Pub Week 2011.","date":"2011-10-26","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"43390","proposer":"10367","edm":"2302","session":"2010-12","title":"Supermarkets And Claims Under The Riot (Damages) Act","text":"That this House notes the different responses of different retailers following the recent public disorder in Manchester; applauds the decision of Sainsbury's to refuse to claim under the Act because it did not want to place an extra financial and administrative burden on the Police; and contrasts this with the position of Tesco which submitted more than 20 claims for compensation including one for 40, which has now been withdrawn.","date":"2011-10-25","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"43370","proposer":"11672","edm":"2285","session":"2010-12","title":"Implementation Of Business, Innovation And Skills Committee Report On Pub Companies","text":"That this House welcomes the finalreport by the Business, Innovation and Skills Committee on Pub Companies (Tenth Report of Session 2010-12, HC 1369-I), which found that industry self-regulation has failed and therefore called for the introduction of a statutory code of practicefor pub companies including that over a period of time all new lessees should be offered a free of tie lease with an open market rent review based on Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors' guidance; supports the Committee's call for a code adjudicator; notes the Government's commitment to legislate to reform in line with the previous Government's plan announced in March 2010; further notes that nearly twice as many tied pubs are closingas free of tie pubs; believes that reforms recommended by the Select Committee, together with a guest beer option for lessees who choose to remain tied, will help prevent the closure of further valued community pubs by making rents fairer and allowing tied licensees to buy beer and other products on the open market at competitive prices, which will allow many more pubs to succeed and thrive, which will assistwith economic growth; further believes that these reforms will revitalise and rejuvenate the sector and promote entrepreneurship through more diverse ownership; and calls on the Government to act on the Select Committee's recommendations and announce a timetable for the consultation as quickly as possible on how it intends to implement the reforms.","date":"2011-10-19","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"43375","proposer":"11892","edm":"2290","session":"2010-12","title":"Blackpool Christian Cafe And Lancashire Constabulary","text":"That this House notes with concern the recent misinterpretation by Lancashire Police officers of public order legislation that resulted in police officers visiting a Christian cafe in Blackpool in relation to the display of Bible texts on the premises; further notes that this is not the first occasion that Lancashire Police have sparked such a controversy following an incident in 2005 that resulted in an out of court settlement; calls on the Chief Constable of Lancashire Police to ensure that all police officers in Lancashire Constabulary are properly trained in public order legislation; and further calls on the Home Secretary to engage with senior police officers to ensure that there is no repeat of this incident.","date":"2011-10-19","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"43358","proposer":"10428","edm":"2275","session":"2010-12","title":"Loss Leader Products","text":"That this House notes that many dominant supermarkets and traditional non-electrical retailers offer electrical products below their cost price as loss leaders to lure customers into their establishments; well understands that the lure of cheap products, although mainly unsupported by trained and knowledgable staff, can and often does attract unsuspecting customers who may not fully grasp that such a practice is purely in place to influence them to enter, then buy other high margin goods; expresses concern that such predatory strategies can and will only drive out competitors in the electrical retail market, especially many small established businesses that cannot affordsuch high level discounts; further notes that a number of other nations including France and Belgium currently ban the practice of such selling, which they believe offers better protection forboth users and the electrical goods industries; and calls on the Government urgently toexamine the negative effect of such loss leader practices by dominant supermarket chains who have already caused the loss of tens of thousands of corner shops in local communities.","date":"2011-10-18","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"43328","proposer":"10527","edm":"2246","session":"2010-12","title":"News And Magazine Wholesale Reform","text":"That this House supports the call of the Association of News Retailers for the Office of Fair Trading (OFT)to undertake a full investigation into the supply of news and magazines to retailers; believes there is clear evidence that the OFT criteria for a market review, which include consumer harm, restricted and distorted competition between wholesalers due to absolute territorial protection and a high degree of publisher control over the industry have been met; and urges the OFT to recommend a full market review and for the issue to be debated in Parliament at the next available opportunity.","date":"2011-10-13","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"43302","proposer":"10122","edm":"2223","session":"2010-12","title":"Violence Against Shopworkers","text":"That this House applauds the members and representatives of the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (USDAW) for their Freedom From Fear Campaign, which seeks to bring together employers, police and local authorities to tackle violence, threats and abuse against shopworkers; is appalled that every minute of every day another shopworker is assaulted, threatened or abused during the course of their duties; welcomes the decrease in incidents against shopworkers, which arenow less than half 2004 levels, as recorded by the British Retail Consortium's Annual Retail Crime Survey; is concerned, however, that the Government's unprecedented cut in police funding could result in the loss of 16,000 frontline officers; is further concerned about the effect these cuts will have on the safety of all workers, with around 80 per cent. of workers having public-facing jobs which, to varying degrees, can lead to incidents of violence, threats and abuse; reminds the Government thatits first duty is to keep the people of the UK safe; and therefore calls on the Government to ensure that frontline policing remains effective, that the police have sufficient resources to do their job and to ensure that crime continues to fall as it did under the previous administration.","date":"2011-10-11","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"43277","proposer":"11672","edm":"2199","session":"2010-12","title":"Brewing Industry","text":"That this House welcomes the publication of the campaign for Real Ale (CAMRAs) 2012 Good Beer Guide; recognises the positive news for British beer with nearly 100 new breweries opening this year and with 5,500 beers now in regular production across the country's 840 breweries; applauds the hard work of British breweries who have prospered despite the difficult economic situation and the difficult situation for many pubs at present; praises the brewers for continuing to produce the highest quality of real ale; and anticipates another successful year for UK beer and pubs.","date":"2011-09-15","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"43278","proposer":"11672","edm":"2200","session":"2010-12","title":"Yorkshire And The Brewing League Table","text":"That this House welcomes the fantastic news that Yorkshire has topped the 2012 Good Beer Guide's list of top brewing counties with over 600 beers in regular production across its 98 breweries; congratulates all the breweries in Yorkshire for achieving this accolade; notes the particular achievements of West Yorkshire which plays host to 43 breweries, brewing 276 beers; further notes that this is especially good news for the county following the closure of the historic Tetley's Brewery in Leeds earlier this year; and hopes that pubs and beer in Yorkshire will continue to thrive for many years to come.","date":"2011-09-15","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"43254","proposer":"11672","edm":"2176","session":"2010-12","title":"Cask Ale Week 2011","text":"That this House welcomes Cask Ale Week 2011, which will take place between 1 and 9 October 2011 and is supported by the Campaign for Real Ale and Cask Marque; celebrates the vital role that pubs play in communities, providing employment and contributing to the local economy; considers that well-run community pubs are essential in promoting responsible drinking in a safe and sociable environment; notes the role of Cask Ale Week in showing consumers the wide range of beers available from Britain's 800 real ale breweries, including through a Try Before You Buy scheme; and encourages hon. Members to consider visiting a local pub and otherwise show their support for pubs and real ale breweries in their constituency during the Cask Ale Week.","date":"2011-09-14","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"43250","proposer":"10383","edm":"2172","session":"2010-12","title":"City Of London Corporation Cleaners","text":"That this House is concerned that the cleaners employed by Sodexo under a contract from the City of London Corporation to clean the City's prestigious Guildhall are paid below the London Living Wage; and urges the City Corporation to raise the wages of its cleaners to the rate recommended by the Greater London Authority to the London Living Wage of 8.30 per hour.","date":"2011-09-13","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"43243","proposer":"10383","edm":"2165","session":"2010-12","title":"West Coast Main Line Cleaners' Pay","text":"That this House recognises the important work carried out by cleaning staff on the national rail network; is concerned that Carlisle Cleaning and Support Services (CCSS), responsible for cleaning services on the West Coast Main Line (WCML), has imposed on its staff an increase of one per cent. in basic rates of pay this year, equivalent to an extra six pence per hour; is appalled at the mean spirited attitude exhibited in this meagre pay rise; opposes CCSS's decision to derecognise the National Union of Rail Maritime and Transport Workers on the WCML cleaning contract; and calls on CCSS to step back from this confrontational approach to industrial relations and to award its hard working staff a pay increase that will deliver dignity at work and a living wage.","date":"2011-09-12","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"43229","proposer":"10383","edm":"2153","session":"2010-12","title":"Breakfast Service On First Great Western Trains","text":"That this House notes that the 05.46 am Exeter St Davids to London Paddington service currently provides travelling chef breakfast facilities to passengers; is concerned that First Great Western is too often using rolling stock with inadequate kitchen facilities and\/or kitchens that are not regularly maintained, leading to breakfast services being run down and too often unavailable; recognises that the travelling chef facility is highly valued by passengers who not unreasonably expect that in return for their very early start to the day and ever increasing fares they should be able to enjoy breakfast on the train; and therefore calls on the company to ensure the future of the travelling chef serviceon the 05.46 am Exeter St Davids to Paddington service and on all other services the facility currently operates on across the whole of the First Great Western franchise.","date":"2011-09-07","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"43213","proposer":"10327","edm":"2138","session":"2010-12","title":"Vodka Revolution, Wilmslow Road, Manchester And Payment Of Bar Staff","text":"That this House notes that those in Fallowfield applying for bar staff posts at Vodka Revolution, Wilmslow Road are required to work for a full day for no pay under the practice of \u201ctrying out\u201d and are promised that they will be paid if appointed, then are not appointed; believes this practice to be unethical and possibly illegal; and further believes that both potential employees and customers of Vodka Revolution, Wilmslow Road should be made aware of its policy on non-payment of those who work a trial day and are not subsequently employed.","date":"2011-09-05","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"43123","proposer":"11742","edm":"2052","session":"2010-12","title":"Supporting Independent Retailers","text":"That this House welcomes the new campaign from Skillsmart Retail, the Sector Skills Council for Retail, on Independents' Day which encourages members of the public to buy at least one item from an independent retailer on the day; celebrates diversity on our high street; recognises retail as theUK's largest private sector employer and its importance to the future growth of the economy; and acknowledges the importance of smaller retailers and their employees having easy access to specialist training.","date":"2011-07-11","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"43031","proposer":"24966","edm":"1962","session":"2010-12","title":"Registration Of Hairdressers","text":"That this House notes that 245,000 people work in the hairdressing industry representingone per cent. of the working population; further notes that the National Hairdressing Council was established by the Hairdressers (Registration) Act 1964 and that all major hairdressing trade bodies are now campaigning for the compulsory registration of all hairdressers with the full support of industry leaders Andrew Barton, Trevor Sorbie and George Hammer; believes that with compulsory registration standards of professionalism within the hairdressing industry will be raised; further believes that it is dangerous to allow unqualified individualsto apply hazardous chemicals to customers' hair without proper training and, whilst customers can seek recourse through the civil courts for any mistakes, this does not prevent those responsible continuing to practice; and urges the Government to amend the Hairdressers (Registration) Act 1964 to include compulsory registration of all hairdressers and the ability of the National Hairdressing Council to strike off those who do not practise in a professional manner.","date":"2011-06-21","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"42856","proposer":"24805","edm":"1794","session":"2010-12","title":"Christmas Savings Schemes","text":"That this House notes with concern that the major supermarkets operating Christmas savings schemes are not members of the Christmas Pre-payment Association; and urges them to set an example to smaller traders and take up membership as soon as possible.","date":"2011-05-11","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"42803","proposer":"10521","edm":"1747","session":"2010-12","title":"John West And The Sourcing Of Tuna Fish","text":"That this House regrets that food canning company John West continues to source tinned tuna from non-sustainable sources, making it now the only major UK producer to do so; welcomes the decision of Morrisons supermarkets to stop sourcing fish caught with destructive methods; notes that all major UK supermarkets are moving to 100 per cent. sustainability-sourced tuna in their own brand tins, with the decision by Morrisons following on from promises made by Tesco and Asda, Princes, as well as existing commitments from Sainsbury's, Marks and Spencer, Waitrose and the Co-op to stop dangerous fish aggregating devices which kill endangered sharks, rays, turtles, juvenile tuna and other tuna species; and calls on the Government to encourage John West to take immediate steps to fall into line with the rest of the UK retail food industry.","date":"2011-04-26","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"42701","proposer":"24905","edm":"1650","session":"2010-12","title":"Paper Towels In Retailers' Public Toilets","text":"That this House notes the findings of Redway and Fawdar at the European Tissue Symposium in 2009 that demonstrates the ineffectiveness of warm air dryers and jet air dryers in reducing levels of bacteria on the skin; further notes that both methods of hand drying produce a mean increase in bacteria and that, for users of colostomy bags for whom sanitation is a paramount concern, the bacteria present through blow air drying methods are particularly hazardous when changing colostomy bags; welcomes the fact that certain major retailers are installing paper towels in all disabled toilet facilities; and urges the Government to make the installation of paper towels in a disabled toilet facilities a legal requirement to safeguard the health and safety of colostomy bag users.","date":"2011-03-23","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"42694","proposer":"10882","edm":"1643","session":"2010-12","title":"Business Rates, Newcastle-Under-lyme Borough Council And Marstons Brewery","text":"That this House wishes to record its disappointment at the conduct of the Cabinet of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council in once again planning to write off, behind closed doors, business rates owed by public houses whose operating companies serially go bust and whose owners perennially hide behind the cloak of limited liability; considers that the Council has again failed to show proper civic leadership or best practice by not publicising the names of serial offenders; notes that 25,094 and 7,645 to be written off now in respect of Black Night Newcastle Ltd (The Albion Inn) and T2i Ltd (Ikon Cafe Bar) bring to 123,867 the unpaid business rates owed by establishments connected to former Conservative Borough Councillor Peter Whieldon, his former partner Anthony James and their business associates; further notesthat this is the sixth time with six defunct companies over the last seven years that the Council is secretly writing off business rates at The Albion Inn; further notes that this pub was finally repossessed last year by its freehold owner Marstons, but the brewery has again failed to vet the ownership of the latest, defunct operating company; and further notesthat the brewery's stance, along with Council failure to name and shame such owners, does nothing to deter copycat operations, nor to assist decent, honest publicans, who pay their dues, to compete on a level playing field in Newcastle, North Staffordshire and up and down the land.","date":"2011-03-22","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"42643","proposer":"10089","edm":"1595","session":"2010-12","title":"Eu Hospitality VAT Rate And Public Houses","text":"That this House believes the EU hospitality VAT rate of five per cent. for public houses should be applied in the UK; acknowledges that other European countries are already enjoying the benefit of the five per cent. VAT; and notes that beer duty has risen by26 per cent. since 2008 which has led to thousands of public house closures and job losses.","date":"2011-03-15","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"42603","proposer":"11458","edm":"1557","session":"2010-12","title":"Tobacco Display Ban","text":"That this House commends the Government on its decision to implement the ban on tobacco displays in shops, which is outlined in the Tobacco Control Plan for England, published on 9 March 2011; welcomes the commitments in the Tobacco Control Plan to investigate other measures to tackle the prevalence of smoking; notes the significance of the announcement on the celebration of No Smoking Day; offers thanks to health charities and campaign groups for helping the Government to make this decision; further notes the cross-party support and action in this area; and looks forward to the Government's discussions with the entertainment industry into further measures to de-normalise smoking.","date":"2011-03-09","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"42597","proposer":"24872","edm":"1546","session":"2010-12","title":"Disabled Access To Licensed Premises","text":"That this House notes the success of the Barred Campaign founded by Mark Cooper and endorsed by Capability Scotland and supported by other disability charities to improve disabled access information to pubs; considers that their hard work resulted in a change to the law which means for the first time licensees will have to consider the needs of disabled customers when applying for a licence by providing access information about their premises and also means that disabled people will have access to vital information when planning a social occasion; and calls on the Government to make similar information available in the rest of the United Kingdom so that no one is excluded from a social occasion on the grounds of disability or where they may live.","date":"2011-03-07","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"42500","proposer":"11312","edm":"1453A1","session":"2010-12","title":"Future Of High Streets","text":"at end insert `; notes that in Scotland the Scottish government has introduced the Business Bonus scheme which reduces or abolishes business rates for small business, giving a substantial boost to local high streets.'.","date":"2011-02-16","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"42486","proposer":"11093","edm":"1456","session":"2010-12","title":"Alliance Boots And Taxation","text":"That this House deplores corporate tax avoidance; believes formerly UK-based companies such as Alliance Boots\/Boots UK Ltd. re-registering in tax havens is unacceptable corporate behaviour in this time of public spending cuts; recognises the philanthropic history of Boots, especially with its founder's generous gifts to the City of Nottingham; believes that Boots Company founder Jesse Boot would be shocked and appalled by his company's actions; and calls on the Government to condemn the actions of any British company to reduce its UK tax liability.","date":"2011-02-15","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"42482","proposer":"10222","edm":"1453","session":"2010-12","title":"Future Of High Streets","text":"That this House believes that vital and vibrant high streets are the focal point for economically successful communities; further believes that, at a time when economic downturn has contributed to the closure of over 12,000 high street shops, planning rules must incentivise town centre development, regeneration and retail diversity; and callson the Government to bring forwardamendments to the Localism Bill to include a duty to promote sustainable high streets in order to ensure that local people have the legal power they need to promote the shops they want and to resist those they do not want in places they will do harm, thereby securing the future of local high streets.","date":"2011-02-14","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"42374","proposer":"13814","edm":"1355","session":"2010-12","title":"A Living Wage For Garment Workers","text":"That this House commends the organisations, War on Want and Labour Behind the Label for their work on their Taking Liberties report in drawing attention to the living and working conditions of many of those producing clothing for our high street; notes that temporary contracts, systematic exclusion from social security benefits, repression of trade union organising and problems in accessing state provision of basic services mean workers have the most basic of social and economic liberties taken from them; and recognises that there remains an urgent need for retailers to ensure that workers are paid a living wage.","date":"2011-01-26","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"42280","proposer":"10614","edm":"1265","session":"2010-12","title":"Petition On Melton Road Retail Outlet In Leicester","text":"That this House expresses concern over plans to turn a tyre centre on Melton Road, Leicester into a chain retail outlet; notes that the plans have met with strong local opposition; further notes that over 900 residents and local business owners have signed a petition against the plans; recognises the impact a chain retail outlet could have on thriving local businesses and traffic congestion, particularly considering the close proximity to a nearby chain retail outlet; and calls on the Government to encourage councils to take into account local views on new chain stores and to support local businesses in Leicester.","date":"2011-01-12","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"42266","proposer":"11672","edm":"1251","session":"2010-12","title":"Sustainability In The Brewing Industry","text":"That this House welcomes the publication of `Brewing Green, our commitment towards a sustainable future for Britain's beer' by the British Beer and Pub Association; congratulates the industry for its achievements in reducing energy and water use and the targets it has set for further reductions by 2020; further welcomes new commitments from the industry on recycling and packaging reduction; and recognises the environmental benefits of its unique system of beer supply via kegs and casks to pubs, which displaces the use of millions of bottles and cans every day.","date":"2011-01-11","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"42213","proposer":"11672","edm":"1201","session":"2010-12","title":"Enterprise Inn Increases In Remuneration For Senior Management","text":"That this House condemns the excessive remuneration packages that have been paid to senior Enterprise Inns personnel when many Enterprise pubs are closing, some temporarily, some permanently and each one representing the failure of a small business often with devastating results for tenants; believes that these increased earnings are excessive and insensitive especially given that Enterprise Inns have reported a five per cent. decline in net income per pub since the last financial year; notes that these payments come in the same year that saw Enterprise fined just 300,000 for the death of a tenant as a result of the negligent health and safety standards of Enterprise Inns; further believes that a 51 per cent. rise in earnings for Enterprise Inns Chief Executive from 811,000 to 1,223,000 including a performance-related bonus of 558,000, is unjustified considering the company's profits are down by over 200 million from the previous financial year and that it has estimated debts of around 3.5 billion, which means large amounts of money taken from community pubs to service this debt which is a threat to the survival of many pubs; sees this as another example of Enterprise Inns management putting their own greed before the needs of their tenants and the pubs they own; further believes that the concentration of thousands of pubs in the hands of distant and hugely indebted property companies is a threat to the future of pubs; and calls upon the Government to adhere to the timetable for reform including retaining the option of a referral to the Competition Commission in June 2011.","date":"2010-12-14","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"42114","proposer":"10222","edm":"1110","session":"2010-12","title":"Support For Grocery Suppliers","text":"That this House welcomes Government plans to monitor and enforce the Grocery Supply Code of Practice through the creation of a grocery supply adjudicator which has all-party support; notes that the Competition Commission's Grocery Market Inquiry found that some supermarket practices, such as retrospective unilateral changes to the terms of supply agreements, charges for loss or damage to goods after delivery and withholding payment without cause, had the effect of transferring excessive risk and unexpected cost through the supply chain and, therefore, concluded that an adjudicator would help to ensure fair dealing; further notes that the Commission concluded that an adjudicator would protect the interests of consumers by promoting an improved supplier-supermarket relationship that would encourage greater investment and innovation; is, however, concerned that the Government proposes merely to introduce a draft Bill in this Session and is aware that there is a need for greater urgency to introduce the adjudicator; and, therefore, urges Her Majesty's Government to bring forward the necessary primary legislation to establish the adjudicator as soon as possible, and before the end of the current Parliamentary session at the latest.","date":"2010-11-30","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"42045","proposer":"11672","edm":"1055","session":"2010-12","title":"Supermarket Alcohol Prices Christmas 2010","text":"That this House condemns the move by a number of major supermarket chains to slash their prices for alcohol over the festive period; notes that this is yet another example of irresponsible behaviour by large supermarket chains with regard to the sale of alcohol; is outraged at the fact that pubs across the country have stopped irresponsible promotions whilst supermarkets continue to behave in such a manner; further notes the appalling example of a large supermarket chain selling two 70cl bottles of brand spirits for 20, resulting in a per unit cost of 37.5p, an unacceptably low amount; further notes the damage that is being done to the pub industry by large supermarkets which are able to sell alcohol at a loss; and calls on the Government to introduce stricter rules governing the below-cost sale of alcohol and for it to do all it can over the festive period to support the pub industry, which is being undercut by large supermarket chains which can afford to sell alcohol below cost.","date":"2010-11-18","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"41928","proposer":"10122","edm":"941","session":"2010-12","title":"Employment And Skills In The Retail Sector","text":"That this House welcomes the British Retail Consortium's new report Retail in Society: Britain's Favourite Job; congratulates the contributing retailersontheir initiatives to enhance staff skills and provide training opportunities; recognises the excellent prospects for career progression the retail sector delivers through flexible working; appreciates the huge importance of large scale employment that retail can provide, particularly in the current climate; and acknowledges the importance of retail within the private sector as a key driver of growth.","date":"2010-11-02","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"41921","proposer":"10527","edm":"934","session":"2010-12","title":"Retirement Development Service Charges","text":"That this House notes with concern the report published by Age UK on 4 October 2010 regarding private retirement developments; further notes that too many older people are facing ever-increasing service charge bills, leading to anxiety and a risk to financial security; is concerned by the high fees levied on residents who wish to sell or rent their property; and calls on the Government to simplify the procedure by which leaseholders can challenge their unfair leasehold terms and to review and regulate the private retirement sector to bring an end to all unscrupulous companies.","date":"2010-11-01","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"41750","proposer":"11672","edm":"784","session":"2010-12","title":"Small Breweries And Economic Development","text":"That this House welcomes the success of small breweries in the UK; notes that there are now 767 real ale breweries in the UK, a fourfold increase in the last 40 years which includes 78 new breweries in the last year alone; further notes that real ale is bucking a declining UK beer market with a growth in the value of the real ale market in 2009 of five per cent. with 3,000 more pubs now serving cask ale; recognises that the introduction of small breweries' relief in 2002 continues to foster growth in the number of small breweriesand a growing real ale market; further notes the success of small breweries' relief in enabling business investment by small breweries; recognises the importance of small breweries to economic growth, tourism, consumers and the nation's pubs; and urges the Government to continue to support small brewers.","date":"2010-10-11","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"41757","proposer":"24805","edm":"791","session":"2010-12","title":"Freedom From Fear 2010 Campaign","text":"That this House recognises the excellent work done by employers, trade union, health and safety representatives and inspectors from the Health and Safety Executiveand local authorities to make workplaces safer; notes with regret the latest survey of abuse of shopworkers by the Union of Shop Distributive and Allied Workers that shows that in the last yearsix per cent. of shopworkers were subjected to violent attack, 37 per cent. were threatened with harm and 70 per cent. were verbally abused; expresses sympathy with allthe victims of attack or injury in the workplace; is concerned to note that the survey also showed that 50 per cent. of the abuse suffered by shopworkers was related to age-restricted sales and dealing with proof of age; acknowledges that no workplace can automatically be assumed to be safe and that therefore all workplacesneed health and safety inspections from time to time to ensure that risks are minimised;and calls on the Government to continue to support the Health andSafety Executive and local authorities to inspect all workplaces to maintain the current record numbers of police and community support officers to continue to protect front-line workers and the public from violence, threats and abuse, and to run high-profile publicity campaigns in support of a no identification- no sale policy and to ensure that young people are aware that it is an offence to attempt to buyalcohol if they areunder 18.","date":"2010-10-11","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"41711","proposer":"24905","edm":"751","session":"2010-12","title":"Administration Of Connaught Plc","text":"That this House is alarmed at the lack of information and clarity relating to the administration of Connaught and Connaught Partnerships; notes and welcomes that a significant percentage of the company has now been sold to Morgan Sindall thus securing many jobs; remains extremely concerned that workers not party to the sale to Morgan Sindall have been left without any information from the administrator KPMG and that many have learnt that they are without future employment by methods such as conference calls and text messaging; considers this to be a whollyunacceptable practice; calls on the administrator to respect the workforce, who have over many years delivered an exceptional service to Connaught and prior to that to the local authorities from which they were outsourced; and further calls on the Government to support housing associations in securing the future of housing maintenance including the option of bringing such work in-house in the best interests of tenants and maintenance workers.","date":"2010-09-15","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"41629","proposer":"11672","edm":"670","session":"2010-12","title":"Drink Of England Survey","text":"That this House recognises the results from the recent Charles Wells Pub Company Drink of England survey of 5,000 people, which shows that spending time in pubs and taverns is considered the most English pastime; believes that these results highlight the importance of the British pub to our nation's culture and economy, especially as current legislative policies are forcing 39 pub closures each week; and supports the pub as a valuable and prominent British institution.","date":"2010-09-06","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"41587","proposer":"10383","edm":"630","session":"2010-12","title":"Maximum Working Temperature","text":"That this House notes that whilst there is a legal minimum workplace indoor temperature there is no clear legal maximum workplace temperature so that conditions can vary greatly from employer to employer; further notes that many employees, particularly those working in bakeries, are often subjected to very high temperatures which can impact seriously on their health and well-being, with effects ranging from discomfort, stress, irritability and headaches, to extra strain on the heart and lungs, dizziness and fainting and heat cramps due to loss of water and salt; and urges the Government to provide clear and coherent guidelines to employers abouthow to combat heat in the workplace and to introduce a maximum working workplace temperature of 30C (86F) and of 27C (81F) for those doing strenuous work.","date":"2010-07-26","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"41588","proposer":"10383","edm":"631","session":"2010-12","title":"Below-Cost Selling Of Food","text":"That this House notes the negative impact of below-cost selling in the food industry on a whole range of issues, from employment conditions and consumer choice to animal welfare and the maintenance of the UK producer base; is concerned at retailers demanding high levels of discounting disproportionate to production costs and attempting to shift costs to manufacturers and growers both locally and internationally; and therefore supports the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union, representing many of those working in the food industry in the UK, in its call for greater regulation to tackle the unfair advantages of big retailers in order to protect employment conditions within the food industry and the diversity of small manufacturers and producers.","date":"2010-07-26","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"41589","proposer":"10383","edm":"632","session":"2010-12","title":"Bakers And Asthma","text":"That this House notes with concern that bakers are about 80 times more likely to develop occupational asthma than the average worker due to exposure to flour and other bakery dusts; believes that every worker has the right to work in a healthy and safe workplace and is extremely alarmed that thousands of bakers could be at risk of developing an incapacitating respiratory condition; urges employers to work with health and safety trades union representatives and the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union to implement appropriate control measures to protect bakers from developing asthma; and further urges the Government to ensure that the Health and Safety Executive has sufficient resources to take the necessary action to prevent work-related illnesses such as bakers' asthma.","date":"2010-07-26","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"41558","proposer":"10614","edm":"601","session":"2010-12","title":"Proposed Price Increases In The House Of Commons","text":"That this House is deeply concerned about the proposed price increases by up to 50 per cent. for banqueting, room hire and refreshment services in the House of Commons; firmly believes that such increases will prove seriously prohibitive to community organisations, charities and other groups who use such services, in particular room hire to raise awareness of numerous good causes; notes that any proposed increases will adversely impact the lower paid staff of the House; predicts that these proposals will inevitably lead to a loss of revenue in addition to a reduction in staff numbers and quality of service; and calls on the House of Commons Commission to reconsider its plans to increase prices within the House by such an astronomical level.","date":"2010-07-22","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"41472","proposer":"10842","edm":"519","session":"2010-12","title":"Celt Experience Brewery Of Caerphilly","text":"That this House recognises the contribution of British micro-breweries to the British brewing industry;congratulates the Celt Experience Brewery of Caerphilly, South Wales, on having its Summer Ale selected to accompany the main course at the All Party Parliamentary Group BeerGroup AwardsDinner 2010; further recognises that the ale is a truly superior brew with its light, summery, juicy, tangy, Frank Cooper's Oxfordmarmalade flavours; believes that its slightly sour nuances are a great match with garlic, apple and mash; and expresses the hope that this micro-brewery in the heart of South Wales will go from strength to strength and be a pioneer for similar breweries in other parts of the country.","date":"2010-07-15","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"41477","proposer":"10753","edm":"524","session":"2010-12","title":"Amazon And Small Publishers","text":"That this House expresses its concern at the effect of the policy of the online bookseller Amazon on small publishers; notes in particular its policy that small publishers enter an agreement requiring them to give a60 per cent. discount to Amazon and to agree not toallow any other retailerto sell their books at a lower price than Amazon; and believes that Amazon shouldnot use its market power as the largest online book outlet to deprive small publishers of a reasonable return.","date":"2010-07-15","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"41411","proposer":"11672","edm":"459","session":"2010-12","title":"British Pub Week 2010","text":"That this House praises Justice for Licensees, British Institute of Innkeeping, Marstons, Punch Taverns and the Morning Advertiser for organising British Pub Week 2010, which will take place between 30 October and 6 November 2010; celebrates the vital role that pubs play in local communities and the benefits that pubs offer and the unique social experience they provide; welcomes the opportunity for British pubs to boost trade and increase their footfall, and for all areas of the trade to work together to promote the trade; notes the above organisations' suggestion to pubs to celebrate British Pub Week by launching special events and activities that include all members of the community and promote social cohesion; and encourages hon. Members to support their local pubs' participation in British Pub Week.","date":"2010-07-12","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"41347","proposer":"11742","edm":"406","session":"2010-12","title":"Review Of Smoking Ban In Pubs And Clubs","text":"That this House calls on the Government to conduct a thorough review, supported by consultation with all parties and affected business sectors, on the impact the smoking ban has had on public houses and private members' clubs; notes that any review should consider a balanced and proportionate amendment to the legislation, which allows for segregated smoking rooms or areas within pubs, bars and clubs provided that effective smoke extraction systems of an authorised standard are installed, enabling smokers to be accommodated in comfort indoors without impacting on non-smokers and staff, whilst reducing intrusive noise to any who live close to such establishments, thus helping to safeguard the future of many in the licensed trade; and further notes that any changes to the smoking ban legislation thereafter should be made on the basis of evidence, fairness and proportionality, recognising the importance of such institutions to the nation's social life and community wellbeing.","date":"2010-07-06","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"41292","proposer":"10521","edm":"352","session":"2010-12","title":"Tesco Sales Of Lager At Below Cost","text":"That this House deplores the behaviour of Tesco in selling lager below-cost price only a month after calling on the Government to outlaw the practice; notes that Tesco was the only major supermarket company to be found doing so according to research undertaken by the Financial Mail; observes that the company will be holding its Annual General Meeting on 2 July 2010, and hopes that institutional and individual shareholders will condemn the deliberate below-cost sales of alcohol; and calls on the Government to undertake a thorough investigation of discounting in the sale of alcohol drinks by supermarket companies, which is contrary to the principles of competition and damaging to the health of consumers.","date":"2010-06-29","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"41261","proposer":"11816","edm":"326","session":"2010-12","title":"Nutrition And The Health Claims Regulation","text":"That this House notes that the UK natural health products industry currently faces a grave threat both to its businesses and consumer choices from the unforeseen impact of implementation of the Nutrition and Health Claims Regulation, which governs the application of nutrition and health claims of all food products; further notes that despite the initial expectations of the Food Standards Agency over 95 per cent. of claims based on generally accepted scientific evidence are likely to receive negative opinions; expresses disappointment that the European Food Safety Authority has insisted on using an inappropriate pharmaceutical model to assess such health claims as fair despite the stated aims of the legislation; further notes its disappointment that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) were not provided with any guidance as on how to submit such claims and consequently were unable to comply with unforeseen criteria; expresses concern about the serial adoption of these claims, causing commercial disadvantage to those manufacturers whose claims happen to be in the early batches; further notes the disproportionate and unforeseen effect on SMEs and the restrictions put on consumer information by this legislation; and calls on the Government to take action to defend the interests of British businesses and consumers.","date":"2010-06-24","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"41186","proposer":"14142","edm":"263","session":"2010-12","title":"Front Page Campaign","text":"That this House welcomes and supports the Front Page Campaign; notes that recommended codes of practice by the National Federation of Retail Newsagents and the Periodical Publishers Association are widely ignored by newsagents and petrol stations; is concerned that this often means that sexually explicit material is displayed within easy reach of children; is further concerned by the practice of publishers paying for so-called best seller spots involving the display of sexually explicit material near check-outs; further notes that seeing such material can cause children confusion and distress and give them a false view of adult relationships; calls on the Government to introduce and enforce measures to ensure that such material is not displayed at or below children's eye-level, near children's publications or without opaque sleeving; further calls for an independent UK regulator to replace out-of-date and ineffective legislation; and also calls for magazines to be assigned age ratings such as are assigned to cinema films and DVDs.","date":"2010-06-16","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"41133","proposer":"11672","edm":"210","session":"2010-12","title":"Community Public Houses","text":"That this House recognises the social, economic and cultural importance of well-run community pubs, which provide a safe and sociable environment for the consumption of alcohol among friends and are an essential community meeting place; notes the ideas put forward in the Campaign for Real Ale's Beer Drinkers and Pub Goers Charter which received support from 670 candidates at the last election, 150 of whom were elected; welcomes the genuine cross party consensus on the need to support and protect well-run community pubs; and so urges the Government to implement a package of policies which will help secure the future of viable and well-run community pubs.","date":"2010-06-14","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"41112","proposer":"24932","edm":"189","session":"2010-12","title":"Armed Forces Identity Card","text":"That this House notes with concern that the Armed Forces Identity Card (MOD Form 90) is still not being recognised as a document capable of verifying age by licensees of public houses across the country; recognises the many problems this policy creates through requiring the armed forces to carry additional identification that they may not have access to; and calls for swift action to remedy this policy, that is damaging the morale of the armed forces.","date":"2010-06-09","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"41029","proposer":"11672","edm":"113","session":"2010-12","title":"Society Of Independent Brewers Campaign","text":"That this House congratulates the Society of Independent Brewers for its campaign to encourage newly-elected hon. Members to celebrate their success at the polls with a glass of beer brewed in their constituency rather than imported champagne; notes the positive contribution made by local brewers to their local economy and in particular the role they play in helping pubs to prosper; and hopes that all hon. Members will recognise this and use local beers, and local pubs, on appropriate occasions.","date":"2010-05-27","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"40924","proposer":"11707","edm":"10","session":"2010-12","title":"Tesco In Stretford And Effects On Independent Retailers","text":"That this House notes with concern the decision by Trafford Council Planning Committee to approve plans for a giant Tesco store in Stretford; recognises the potential impact that this decision will have on the viability of local centres and in particular the viability of independent retailers in the surrounding areas of Chorlton district centre and Stretford Mall; and therefore urges the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government to call in the decision.","date":"2010-05-25","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"40956","proposer":"10521","edm":"42","session":"2010-12","title":"Policy On Public Houses","text":"That this House recognises the vital importance of British pubs to the social and economic life of local communities and urges the Government, beer and pub industry and others to work together to do all they can to protect and promote them; notes that pubs have been hit hard by beer duty increases of more than 26 per cent. in the last two years, with dozens of pubs closing every week; calls on the Government to support pubs by reforming the way beer is taxed to reflect its place as the national drink and as a lower strength drink, which is the bedrock of community pubs; and further calls on the Government to ensure that should there be any value added tax rise in the forthcoming budget it is offset by a parallel reduction in duty as a targeted measure to help community pubs.","date":"2010-05-25","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"40974","proposer":"10521","edm":"60","session":"2010-12","title":"Empty Shops","text":"That this House notes with grave concern the increase in the number of empty shops in traditional town and neighbourhood centres; calls on the Government as a matter of urgency to consider a range of options to halt further closures and assist in the restoration to retail use of closed premises; specifically urges that value added tax for refurbishment works on retail premises should be reduced from 15 per cent. to five per cent., that business rates for retail premises should be frozen and that upward rent review clauses which automatically allow rents to rise should be scrapped; and further urges that planning, financial and parking policies which discriminate in favour of out-of-town shopping centres should be reviewed so that there is a level playing field with traditional town centres and neighbourhood shopping centres.","date":"2010-05-25","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"40822","proposer":"11672","edm":"1176","session":"2009-10","title":"Cask Ale Week 2010","text":"That this House welcomes the second annual National Cask Ale Week, 29 March to 5 April 2010; also welcomes the opportunity for brewers and pubs alike to remind the British public why cask ale is the UK's national drink; congratulates the success that the cask ale industry has enjoyed in the last 12 months with 71 new breweries opening in the UK, taking the total up to 660; notes the suggestion for pubs to host a number of exciting events up and down the country including beer festivals, food and ale appreciation evenings, tasting tips and try before you buy promotions; praises the Independent newspaper for its plan to publish a 16 page supplement on 27 March 2010 in support of Cask Ale Week; and encourages hon. Members to support their local pubs during Cask Ale Week 2010.","date":"2010-03-24","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"40816","proposer":"11707","edm":"1174","session":"2009-10","title":"Tesco In Stretford And The Impact On Independent Retailers","text":"That this House notes with concern the decision by Trafford Council Planning Committee to approve plans for a giant Tesco store in Stretford; recognises the potential impact that this decision will have on the viability of local centres and in particular the viability of independent retailers in the surrounding areas of Chorlton district centre and Stretford Mall; and therefore urges the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government to call in the decision.","date":"2010-03-23","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"40518","proposer":"11309","edm":"909","session":"2009-10","title":"Supermarket Pricing","text":"That this House congratulates the Guardian newspaper's Datablog report into supermarket prices, which found that two-thirds of pre-Christmas price cuts at Asda and Tesco were only one penny; notes with concern that more than half of all price rises during the same period were greater than 10 pence; believes that consumers were given a false impression about price cuts by television advertising at the time; deplores the behaviour of retailers who seek to manipulate prices in this cynical way; and calls on the Government to consider introducing legislation to oblige large retailers to publish weekly price lists of all their stock in a standard, machine readable, open digital format.","date":"2010-02-23","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"40469","proposer":"11672","edm":"869","session":"2009-10","title":"Minister For Pubs","text":"That this House welcomes the appointment of the right hon. Member for Wentworth as the UK's first pubs minister; notes that 39 pubs are closing across the UK each week; commends the fact that the right hon. Member has been given the job of coming up with a strategy to help save Britain's pubs; hopes that in the last few weeks before the general election, the Government can produce a manifesto to support and preserve the pub, which must include all the main issues and problems currently facing pubs; further notes the main areas of focus include reform of planning law to protect the pub, outlawing the practice of restrictive covenants, reductions in beer duty, measures to deal with unacceptably low supermarket beer pricing, reform of the current model of `the tie' as operated by some pub companies' covenants, and other relevant measures; and calls on the Government to focus on these issues and to bring real change to the industry.","date":"2010-02-10","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"40433","proposer":"10118","edm":"833","session":"2009-10","title":"Ministerial Responsibility For Pubs And Clubs","text":"That this House welcomes the appointment of a Pubs Minister to help stem the tide of pub closures; and calls on the Government to extend the remit of the Minister to include non profit-making private members' clubs such as those in membership of the Committee of Registered Clubs' Associations and the Working Men's Club and Institute Union which are at the heart of many communities and which are also suffering from the economic downturn, the negative effects of well-meaning government legislation and the over-zealous attentions of HM Revenue and Customs.","date":"2010-02-09","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"40422","proposer":"10222","edm":"822","session":"2009-10","title":"Consultation On A Supermarket Ombudsman","text":"That this House welcomes the Government's announcement that it accepts the recommendation made by the Competition Commission after its inquiry into UK grocery market supply practices that an independent, proactive grocery market ombudsman be created to monitor and enforce the Grocery Supply Code of Practice; notes that the Commission found that an ombudsman would ensure fair dealing between suppliers and supermarkets which was found to transfer excessive risk down the supply chain, such as retrospective unilateral changes to the terms of supply agreements, charges for loss or damage to goods after delivery and withholding payment without cause; further notes the Commission's finding that an ombudsman would protect the interests of consumers by promoting a supplier-supermarket relationship that encourages greater investment and innovation; and urges Her Majesty's Government to implement this remedy as quickly as possible.","date":"2010-02-08","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"40409","proposer":"10619","edm":"8A1","session":"2009-10","title":"Empty Shops","text":"at end add `and applauds the contribution the Townscape Heritage Initiative is making to bring empty buildings back into use.'.","date":"2010-02-04","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"40384","proposer":"11672","edm":"785","session":"2009-10","title":"Extension Of The Smoking Ban","text":"That this House is concerned over the Secretary of State for Health's review of the current smoking ban legislation and its possible extension to include beer gardens, outside pubs and designated smoking areas; notes that pubs, bars and other similar venues have already had to make considerable alterations to their premises in order to adapt to the smoking ban; further notes that pubs have already suffered serious economic repercussions since the introduction of the smoking ban by way of lost revenue and the costs incurred by building smoking shelters; observes that smoking has serious health implications and supports measures to discourage it; however believes that there needs to be a reasonable balance between protecting the rights of non-smokers and the rights of adults who smoke; deems that this balance would not be maintained if smoking in an open air beer garden or legal smoking shelter were banned; further believes that pubs play a hugely important function in the communities they serve; fears that if pubs are required to place further draconian restrictions on smoking then people will choose to stay at home and pubs will no longer be able to perform an important function at the heart of the community; and is concerned that if people are forced to stay at home and smoke this may have health implications on family members and visitors, including young children, due to the dangers of passive smoking.","date":"2010-02-03","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"40360","proposer":"10185","edm":"768","session":"2009-10","title":"Hydrofluorocarbons And Supermarket Refrigeration","text":"That this House draws attention to the significant role supermarket refrigeration plays in reducing the UK's greenhouse gas emissions; notes that hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) can be up to 14,000 times more harmful in terms of global warming than carbon dioxide; is concerned that HFCs, used in supermarket refrigeration units, account for one third of the carbon footprint of most supermarkets; welcomes the progress made by certain supermarkets by reducing their use of HFCs, as highlighted by the Environmental Investigation Agency in its 2009 report, Chilling Facts; further notes that many large retailers are calling for legislation to phase out HFCs in the supermarket sector; and calls on the Government to promote the use of HFC-free refrigeration and to introduce legislation to phase out HFCs in large supermarkets as a matter of urgency.","date":"2010-02-01","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"40328","proposer":"11672","edm":"737","session":"2009-10","title":"125ml Wine Measures Campaign","text":"That this House welcomes the introduction of the law, within the Mandatory Code of Practice, requiring pubs, bars and other similar establishments to offer the choice of a 125ml measure of wine alongside larger measures; notes that this follows campaigning since the introduction of the Sale of Wine (Measures) Bill in 2008 and a campaign by the Good Pub Guide also supported by a number of other organisations; believes that obliging venues to offer 125ml size measures gives consumers greater choice by allowing them to order smaller as well as larger size glasses of wine; further believes that this will help standardise wine measures so that it would be better understood that 125ml is a small measure of wine, 175ml medium and 250ml large; further notes that this will mean people will have a better idea of how much they are drinking at any venue; further believes that this is a simple and effective method of increasing alcohol awareness amongst wine drinkers; further notes that this measure need not mean using 125ml sized glasses of wine but that this measure can be dispensed in a 175ml glass with a measure; and looks forward to the implementation of this policy so that consumers everywhere have real choice of wine glass measures everywhere they go.","date":"2010-01-27","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"40275","proposer":"10248","edm":"687","session":"2009-10","title":"I'm Backing The Pub Campaign","text":"That this House welcomes the I'm backing the pub campaign by the British Beer and Pub Association, Society of Independent Brewers and supported by CAMRA, CBI, Visit Britain, British Hospitality Association, Local Government Association, Central Council of Physical Recreation and UK Music to promote British pubs and British beer; believes that pubs lie at the social heart of communities across the country, employ more than half a million people across the UK, and provides an important contribution to national income; recognises the social benefits of the responsible enjoyment of lower-strength drinks like beer; and notes that with more than 50 pubs closing every week it is vital that the Government, industry, local authorities and others work together to support a quintessentially British institution and Britain's national drink as part of efforts to enhance community life and promote economic recovery.","date":"2010-01-21","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"40263","proposer":"11038","edm":"674","session":"2009-10","title":"Cadbury, Kraft And Fairtrade","text":"That this House notes the proposed takeover of Cadbury by the American firm Kraft Foods; further notes Cadbury's commitment to Fairtrade for its flagship Cadbury Dairy Milk brand and other products; further notes the work of the ground-breaking Cadbury Cocoa Partnership that Cadbury established in 2008 with the United Nations Development Programme and the governments, farmers and communities in Ghana, India, Indonesia and the Caribbean; and calls on Kraft, if the takeover is confirmed, to continue and build on Cadbury's commitment to Fairtrade and the Cocoa Partnership.","date":"2010-01-20","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"40267","proposer":"10323","edm":"679","session":"2009-10","title":"Takeover Of Cadbury","text":"That this House notes with deep concern the decision by the board of Cadbury to recommend the bid for the company by Kraft; further notes Kraft's heavily indebted position; fears that the takeover may result in plant closures and job losses; and urges the Government to examine takeover legislation with the greatest urgency with a view to providing some degree of security against predatory takeovers.","date":"2010-01-20","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"40236","proposer":"10304","edm":"651","session":"2009-10","title":"Off-Trade Alcohol Sales","text":"That this House notes the publication of the Mandatory Code for Alcohol Retailers; regrets that the off-trade is not required to uphold similar high standards in its sale of alcohol; further notes that supermarkets' selling of super-cheap alcohol in bulk volumes significantly adds to alcohol harm in the UK; further notes the especially concerning practice of pre-loading, for which the pub trade is not responsible; believes that supermarkets have an important role to play in reducing alcohol harm; and calls on the Government urgently to tackle deep discounting and below-cost selling in the off-trade.","date":"2010-01-19","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"40204","proposer":"11672","edm":"620","session":"2009-10","title":"Plain English Campaign","text":"That this House supports the Plain English Campaign on its attempts to prohibit the use of the word regular in coffee shops and caf\u00e9s; notes that this term is a meaningless description creating confusion; regrets the Americanisation of the English language in this country; commends the Plain English Campaign for its efforts to promote clear language in public life; and calls on all coffee shops and similar establishments to use English terms and one standardised and universally understood system of measurement, such as small, medium and large.","date":"2010-01-18","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"40213","proposer":"10248","edm":"629","session":"2009-10","title":"Proposed Takeover Of Mitchells And Butlers Pub Company","text":"That this House notes with great concern the apparent threat to the interests of the 60,000 small shareholders of the long-established pub company Mitchells and Butlers, where a small group of friends and minority shareholders domiciled outside the UK appear to be seeking to gain control of the company to advance their own interests at the expense of others; further notes the uncertainty this is generating for the firm's 40,000 staff; and urges the Government to be alert to any infringements of takeover rules and to urge the Takeover Panel rapidly to undertake a thorough and detailed investigation of the relevant facts in the case.","date":"2010-01-18","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"39974","proposer":"11923","edm":"410","session":"2009-10","title":"Rateable Values For Petrol Stations","text":"That this House notes with concern the recent notification received from the Valuation Office concerning the dramatic rise in the rateable values applied to petrol stations in rural areas; recognises that the average increase for petrol stations in South Lakeland has been as high as 56 per cent.; expresses concern at the disproportionate effect this will have in rural areas where the car is a necessity and not a luxury and where petrol stations often provide the only commercial outlet for many miles; and calls on the Government to introduce concessionary rates for rural petrol stations to ensure we continue to have a viable and thriving rural economy.","date":"2009-12-09","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"39976","proposer":"14142","edm":"412","session":"2009-10","title":"Front Page Campaign","text":"That this House believes that politicians, retailers, publishers and distributors have a collective responsibility to protect children and young people from displays of sexually graphic material that they are not emotionally equipped to deal with; calls for an urgent review of existing guidelines drawn up between the Home Office and the National Federation of Retail Newsagents; further believes that such a review must consider the availability of sexually graphic publications to children and young people, the positioning of these publications on the shelves of retailers, the potential for concealing these publications in bags and consider the question of age-rating such publications; and further believes that failure to follow the revised guidelines could lead to calls for legislation covering all aspects of the availability and display of sexually graphic material to children and young people throughout the retail and publishing industries.","date":"2009-12-09","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"39984","proposer":"12004","edm":"420","session":"2009-10","title":"UK Maritime Industry","text":"That this House joins with the UK maritime industry in denouncing the announcement from Maersk Company that it will be making a third of its UK maritime officers redundant and reducing employment opportunities for newly-qualified trainees; and calls on Maersk to play its role to safeguard the future of this time-honoured profession.","date":"2009-12-09","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"39933","proposer":"11672","edm":"372","session":"2009-10","title":"Manifesto For The British Pub","text":"That this House believes that a real manifesto is needed to support and preserve the pub which must include all the main issues and problems currently facing pubs; notes the main areas of focus of the Parliamentary Save the Pub group include reform of planning law to protect the pub, outlawing the practice of restrictive covenants, reductions in beer duty, measures to deal with unacceptably low supermarket beer pricing, reform of the current model of the tie as operated by some pub companies' covenants and other measures; further notes the British Beer and Pub Association's (BBPA) recently launched campaign and manifesto The Life and Soul of Britain's Communities, and supports the majority of its aims, but believes that this is only a partial manifesto and is disappointed that the manifesto deliberately omits some issues which, whilst of critical importance to preserving and supporting pubs, are not in the interests of some of the BBPA's members, who include big pub-owning companies that are responsible for closing many pubs; believes that a real manifesto would include reform of the tied system to make it fair and transparent, reform of planning law to protect the pub and to give communities a say over their future and a ban on restrictive covenants; urges all other trade associations to bring forward a real manifesto including all the important issues; and calls on all pub-supporting hon. Members and peers to support all these measures and not only those in the BBPA campaign.","date":"2009-12-07","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"39923","proposer":"10063","edm":"363","session":"2009-10","title":"Small Shops In London","text":"That this House recognises the important role small retailers play in communities in London and how they are vital in keeping local high streets successful and diverse; notes that at present small retailers account for 87 per cent. of all retailers in London, but that they have been hit hard by changes in shoppers' behaviour, large supermarkets and the recession; welcomes the Greater London Authority's review into measures designed to support London's local and neighbourhood shops; urges the Government to implement measures that strengthen planning laws to take into account a wider variety of factors than is currently the case, including the use of a local competition test for new retail developments; and calls for new measures which help to create a fairer market place to allow a more balanced relationship between small and large businesses.","date":"2009-12-03","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"39863","proposer":"10487","edm":"303","session":"2009-10","title":"Shop Local","text":"That this House notes that Mr Andrew Stephenson, the Conservative parliamentary candidate for Pendle, is using his Pendle Matters newspaper to urge people to shop local; regrets that Pendle Matters, which has been delivered free by Royal Mail to all 37,000 households in Pendle for the last three years, is printed in Guildford, Surrey; applauds Mr Stephenson's view that there are in Pendle many fantastic local independent retailers, offering great goods and services and that if we don't use them we will lose them; is bemused by Mr Stephenson's statement that he has been unable to find a printer in Burnley or in Pendle whose estimate is even close to what he is currently being charged; believes that the solution is for Mr Stephenson to disclose how much he pays for his publication and for him to invite all local printers to respond with better quality and price offers; further notes that there are over 20 printing companies in the Pendle and Burnley area; and invites Mr Stephenson to shop locally and to contact each one to get a quote.","date":"2009-12-01","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"39840","proposer":"11923","edm":"280","session":"2009-10","title":"Love Local Campaign","text":"That this House praises the Love Local campaign launched by the Westmorland Gazette aimed at supporting and promoting the local community; recognises that, given the economic climate, communities have a responsibility to work together by creating a vibrant sense of community and promoting local businesses; highlights the Love Local campaign as an excellent example of how to encourage independent retailers to promote themselves and become and integral part of the local community; and urges other communities to follow suit by adopting their own Love Local campaign to support smaller businesses and energise the local economy.","date":"2009-11-30","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"39844","proposer":"11672","edm":"284","session":"2009-10","title":"Formation Of The Independent Pub Confederation","text":"That this House welcomes the formation of the Independent Pub Confederation (IPC) by the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers, the Campaign for Real Ale, the British Institute of Innkeepers, Justice for Licensees, Unite, the Society of Independent Brewers, the Federation of Small Businesses, the Guild of Master Victuallers and Fair Pint; recognises the need for strong representation for the pub industry during the economic downturn; is concerned at the large number of pubs closing or threatened with closure; supports the IPC in seeking to secure a fair deal for pubs; further supports the IPC's manifesto proposals; believes lessees should be given the option of going free of the beer supply tie; considers that if beer is to be tied all other product ties should be severely restricted with lessees being offered a guest beer sourced direct from a small brewer; further supports the establishment of new rent valuation guidelines; further supports the principle that the tied tenant should be no financially worse off than a tenant who is free of tie; further supports the establishment of minimum standards of fairness, disclosure and transparency in the handling of rent negotiations; calls for the setting up of representative lessee forums to discuss issues of concern and to have a legally binding code of practice; and further calls for the removal of the Amusement With Prizes tie from all long leases.","date":"2009-11-30","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"39732","proposer":"10222","edm":"192","session":"2009-10","title":"Grocery Market Ombudsman","text":"That this House welcomes the Competition Commission's establishment of a strengthened Grocery Supply Code of Practice (GSCOP) following its inquiry into the UK grocery market which found that supermarket practices which transfer excessive risk to suppliers, such as retrospective unilateral changes to the terms of supply agreements, charges for loss or damage to goods after delivery and withholding payment without cause could have an adverse effect on investment and innovation in the supply chain, and ultimately on consumers; notes the Commission's recommendation that for the GSCOP to be effective it must be monitored and enforced by an independent ombudsman; is disappointed that the supermarkets affected have failed to agree voluntary undertakings to establish an ombudsman which offers the opportunity for independent verification of their commitment to the principles of fair trading; believes that the current recession has increased pressure on suppliers; further notes that UK supermarkets continue to report healthy profits from their grocery business; recognises that fair treatment of primary producers is crucial to achieving UK commitments to eradicating poverty in the developing world and guaranteeing food security for the UK; and calls on the Government to act on the considered recommendation of the Commission to introduce the neccessary legislation to establish the proposed ombudsman to protect the interests of suppliers and consumers alike.","date":"2009-11-24","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"39756","proposer":"10169","edm":"216","session":"2009-10","title":"Excise Duty On Wine","text":"That this House urges the Chancellor to remove the 8 per cent. duty increase on wine imposed in the Budget to offset the reduction in value added tax (VAT); notes that failure to do so will result in the wine trade being hit by two similar tax increases when VAT returns to 17.5 per cent. in January 2010; further notes that wine duty has risen 20 per cent. since March 2008 and that this has worsened conditions for the UK wine trade, which is already suffering from a challenging economic situation and unfavourable exchange rates; and further urges the Chancellor to support this important sector.","date":"2009-11-24","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"39689","proposer":"11672","edm":"150","session":"2009-10","title":"VAT And Beer Duty","text":"That this House notes that value added tax (VAT) is due to rise back to 17.5 per cent. following the recent cut; is concerned that this increase will not be offset by a lowering of duty on alcohol; is further concerned that an eight per cent. increase in duty is pending, and will effectively off-set any benefit pub owners have received from the fall in VAT; regrets that this will result in yet another increase in the price of beer and other beverages which will be to the detriment of the pub industry; recognises that approximately 52 pubs are closing each week in the United Kingdom and that several factors are already negatively affecting the industry; and calls on the Government to lower the duty on beer sales to help the troubled pub industry in this country and on pub-owning companies and breweries to pass the benefit on to licensees who will be able to pass this on to the consumer and actually assist pubs.","date":"2009-11-23","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"39696","proposer":"10190","edm":"157","session":"2009-10","title":"Duty On Beer","text":"That this House urges the Chancellor to use his Pre-Budget Statement to reverse the eight per cent. beer duty increase when value added tax (VAT) returns to its full rate on 1 January 2010; notes that the duty increase denied the British beer and pub industry the benefits of the VAT cut and that pub closures are now running at a record high of more than 50 a week; further notes that the planned VAT increase in January will result in an extra six pence on an average pint of beer and lower tax revenues to HM Treasury; and calls on the Government to pursue a tax policy that benefits low strength alcoholic drinks like beer, Britain's national drink and is fair to an industry that employs more than half a million people and plays a crucial part in supporting the economic and social wellbeing of communities across the UK.","date":"2009-11-23","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"39545","proposer":"10521","edm":"8","session":"2009-10","title":"Empty Shops","text":"That this House notes with grave concern the increase in the number ofempty shops in traditional town and neighbourhood centres; calls on the Government as a matter of urgency to consider a range of options to halt further closures and assist in the restoration to retail use of closed premises; specifically urges that value added tax for refurbishment works on retail premises should be reduced from 15 per cent. to five per cent., that business rates for retail premises should be frozen and that upward rent review clauses which automatically allow rents to rise should be scrapped; and further urges that planning, financial and parking policies which discriminate in favour of out-of-town shopping centres should be reviewed so that there is a level playing field with traditional town centres and neighbourhood shopping centres.","date":"2009-11-18","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"39547","proposer":"10521","edm":"10","session":"2009-10","title":"Campaign To Save The Great British Pub","text":"That this House is alarmed that five public houses are closing down every day, with beer sales in pubs at their lowest level for nearly 40 years; is deeply concerned as to the future of 7,500 public houses and more than 40,000 jobs; supports the campaign to mobilise public and political support to save the Great British Pub; believes that traditional public houses are being unfairly priced out of the market while supermarkets offer cheap deals without the level of restrictions and responsibilities required of licensees of public houses; further supports the beer industry and the Campaign for Real Ale's Axe the Beer Tax, Save the Pub campaign which states that tax rises will place traditional public houses at even greater risk of closing down; and calls on the Government to adopt the campaign's Last Orders, a five-point plan to save the British pub, as a way forward in safeguarding the future of Britain's traditional public houses.","date":"2009-11-18","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"39423","proposer":"11672","edm":"2173","session":"2008-09","title":"First Annual National Pub Week Campaign","text":"That this House supports the first National Pub Week, to be held on 31 October to 7 November 2009 as a great way to celebrate the great British pub; hopes that pubs and publicans will take up the opportunity to celebrate this week and to promote their pubs; welcomes National Pub Week as a chance to boost the number of people visiting pubs; calls on pub companies, breweries and publicans to support the campaign; praises Marstons for supporting National Pub Week by organising a range of activities on its estate, including awarding prizes for inventive initiatives for building businesses; hopes that other companies and individuals will support National Pub Week; and reaffirms its support for the pub industry and the great British pub during the current economic downturn.","date":"2009-10-27","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"39375","proposer":"10934","edm":"2141","session":"2008-09","title":"Office Of Fair Trading Report Into The Beer Tie","text":"That this House disagrees with the conclusion of the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) that the beer ties enforced by pub owners is not harming the industry and pushing up prices to the consumer; notes that amongst other social, economic and taxation factors the regulation and structure of the pub market is one of the reasons why 36 pubs a week have been closing; believes that the beer tie restricts competition and provides pub owners with a monopoly supply chain which they have exploited to increase profits and prices; and therefore calls on the Government to reject the conclusions of the OFT and to ensure that the pub market works within competition law so that landlords and consumers get a better deal.","date":"2009-10-22","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"39376","proposer":"11458","edm":"2142","session":"2008-09","title":"Reduction In Bank And Post Office Branch Network","text":"That this House notes the reduction in the post office branch network over the last decade; further notes the parallel constriction of the retail bank network, with further closures pending as the banks seek a return to profitability; further notes the irony of state-supported banking companies closing their branches, for instance in Westbury on Trym, Bristol, and directing customers to the local post office; and therefore requests the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills to undertake a review of customer service standards at the remaining post office branches.","date":"2009-10-22","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"39360","proposer":"10222","edm":"2126","session":"2008-09","title":"Grocery Market Ombudsman (No. 2)","text":"That this House welcomes the Competition Commission's establishment of a strengthened Grocery Supply Code of Practice (GSCOP) following their inquiry into the UK grocery market which found that supermarket practices which transfer excessive risk to suppliers, such as retrospective unilateral changes to the terms of supply agreements, charges for loss or damage to goods after delivery and withholding payment without cause could have an adverse effect on investment and innovation in the supply chain, and ultimately on consumers; notes the Commission's recommendation that for the GSCOP to be effective it must be monitored and enforced by an independent Ombudsman; is disappointed that the supermarkets affected have failed to agree voluntary undertakings to establish an Ombudsman which offers the opportunity for independent verification of their commitment to the principles of fair trading; believes that the current recession has increased pressure on suppliers, but further notes that UK supermarkets continue to report healthy profits from their grocery business; recognises that fair treatment of primary producers is crucial to achieving UK commitments to eradicating poverty in the developing world and guaranteeing food security for the UK; and calls on the Government to act on the considered recommendation of the Commission to introduce the necessary legislation to establish the proposed Ombudsman to protect the interests of suppliers and consumers alike.","date":"2009-10-21","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"39330","proposer":"10327","edm":"2098","session":"2008-09","title":"Gorton And Tesco","text":"That this House deplores the failure of Deborah Hayeems, Tesco Regional Corporate Affairs Manager for the North West and Yorkshire, to respond to repeated letters to her over a period of more than six weeks by the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to motor vehicle access to the Tesco site in Gorton; further depores the negative response to similar representations by Manchester City Council; believes that this lack of responsiveness demonstrates that Tesco is very happy to make money out of the people of Gorton but is stubbornly resistant to responding to the concerns of the people of Gorton; and suggests that, in addition to making a proper response, however belatedly to those concerns, Tesco could demonstrate that it is part of Gorton by erecting a Christmas tree in its car park in order to participate in the commemoration of the centenary of Gorton joining the city of Manchester in 1909.","date":"2009-10-20","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"39340","proposer":"10248","edm":"2108","session":"2008-09","title":"Land Agreements Exclusion And Revocation Order 2004","text":"That this House welcomes the Government's consultation on the future of the Land Agreements Exclusion and Revocation Order 2004; further welcomes the Government's preference for the repeal of the Order; notes that the removal of the Order will allow competition law to be better applied to the pub sector, encouraging the reform of beer tie arrangements, and will also allow competition authorities to take action against practices in the pub sector which are anti-competitive such as the use of restrictive covenants which prevent sold pubs being run as pubs by whoever purchases them; and calls on the Government to take steps to repeal the Order during the next parliamentary session.","date":"2009-10-20","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"39317","proposer":"11672","edm":"2086","session":"2008-09","title":"Formation Of The Independent Pub Confederation","text":"That this House welcomes the formation of the Independent Pub Confederation (IPC) by the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers, the Campaign for Real Ale, the British Institute of Innkeepers, Justice for Licensees, Unite, the Society of Independent Brewers, the Federation of Small Businesses, the Guild of Master Victuallers and Fair Pint; recognises the need for strong representation for the pub industry during the economic downturn; is concerned at the large number of pubs closing or threatened with closure; supports the IPC in seeking to secure a fair deal for pubs; supports the IPC's manifesto proposals; believes lessees should be given the option of going free of the beer supply tie; considers that if beer is to be tied all other product ties should be severely restricted with lessees being offered a guest beer sourced direct from a small brewer; supports the establishment of new rent valuation guidelines; supports the principle that the tied tenant should be no financially worse off than a tenant who is free of tie; supports the establishment of minimum standards of fairness, disclosure and transparency in the handling of rent negotiations; calls for the setting up of representative lessee forums to discuss issues of concern and to have a legally binding code of practice; and calls for the removal of the Amusement With Prizes tie from all long leases.","date":"2009-10-19","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"39271","proposer":"10313","edm":"2041","session":"2008-09","title":"Freedom From Fear Campaign","text":"That this House congratulates the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (USDAW) on its groundbreaking Freedom from Fear campaign, which seeks to prevent violence, threats and abuse against shopworkers; welcomes the Government's continued investment in policing and community safety, which has led to a 35 per cent. decrease in crime; further welcomes the Government's commitment to using a range of measures to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour, such as anti-social behaviour orders, acceptable behaviour contracts, closed circuit television and neighbourhood policing; is concerned that there is too much onus on the individual shopworker to police the sale of age-restricted goods; is further concerned that some of the prosecuting authorities do not understand the difficult job shopworkers have policing age-related sales; notes that age-related sales are a major cause of incidents of violence, threats and abuse against shopworkers; calls on the Government to redress the balance by working with retailers to run a high profile campaign, ensuring that young people know that it is an offence to attempt to buy alcohol under-age; further calls on the Government to review the law and extend the attempting to buy offence to all age-restricted products; and further calls on hon. Members to support USDAW's Respect for Shopworkers Week, 2 to 6 November 2009, which asks customers to `keep your cool at Christmas'.","date":"2009-10-14","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"39185","proposer":"10383","edm":"1958","session":"2008-09","title":"Association Of Train Operating Companies And Outsourcing Jobs To India","text":"That this House notes that National Rail Enquiries Service (NRES), which is regulated by the Department for Transport, set a target to answer 93 per cent. of calls received during a financial year; congratulates its staff for successfully answering 94.4 per cent. of calls in 2008-09; further congratulates NRES staff on their extensive knowledge of the national rail network and the helpful advice they give to the travelling public; is therefore appalled at reports that the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) intends to outsource the work of NRES to Mumbai; believes that such a step will result in a loss of jobs and a reduction in the quality of service provided to passengers; further notes that ATOC's members include transport companies such as National Express, Virgin, Go-Ahead, First Group and Stagecoach which continue to make substantial profits and receive huge amounts of Government subsidy and that the Government is in effect subsidising jobs losses; and therefore calls on the Government to meet ATOC at the earliest possible time in order to reverse its decision and protect jobs and the excellent quality of service provided by NRES.","date":"2009-07-21","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"39194","proposer":"11672","edm":"1967","session":"2008-09","title":"Great British Pub And The Great British Summer","text":"That this House recognises that visiting the pub in the summer is a traditional and treasured national pastime; further recognises that pubs are hugely important to the British tourist trade and that they are a unique and very attractive part of a UK holiday; hopes that this summer sees some good weather to encourage people to visit the pub and celebrate pubs and beer gardens; further hopes that this will lead to a welcome increase in trade in this vital industry; and further hopes that hon. Members will support their local pubs by visiting them over the summer recess, as well as visiting pubs when they are on their holidays, joining many millions of people enjoying their unique atmosphere and hospitality all over the UK.","date":"2009-07-21","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"39157","proposer":"10063","edm":"1931","session":"2008-09","title":"British Bangladeshi Caterers","text":"That this House celebrates the diversity of British foods; acknowledges Bangladeshi cuisine to be one of Britain's best-known and loved culinary experiences; notes that the British Bangladeshi food industry provides jobs for around 100,000 people; commends the Federation of Bangladeshi Caterers UK for its pioneering work in giving a voice to the sector; and calls on the Government to recognise and support British Bangladeshi caterers in the current economic climate.","date":"2009-07-20","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"39128","proposer":"10248","edm":"1906","session":"2008-09","title":"Differential Rate Of Duty On Draught Beer","text":"That this House notes that the European excise directives preclude the introduction of differential rates of duty on draught versus canned and bottled beer; further notes with interest that the European Commission is preparing to consider, during 2009, ideas for the revision of the directives in 2010; is especially pleased that the European Commission has indicated that it is open to any novel and constructive suggestions for their improvement; and urges the Government to promote the removal of the present prohibition on such differential taxation to the European Commission and to other Member States.","date":"2009-07-15","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"39028","proposer":"11672","edm":"1818","session":"2008-09","title":"Proud Of Pubs Week 2009","text":"That this House supports the Proud of Pubs campaign being run by the Publican magazine; recognises the importance of the campaign in promoting pubs as places that play a valuable role in the communities in which they exist; and hopes the campaign is successful in drawing attention to the problems facing the industry and promoting its central theme that pubs are good.","date":"2009-07-06","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"38777","proposer":"10262","edm":"1599","session":"2008-09","title":"Skills In The Retail Sector","text":"That this House notes that the retail sector, as the largest private sector employer in the UK, employing 1 in 10 of the workforce, has created more new jobs in the last five years than any other sector; recognises that a skilled workforce is essential in maintaining the ongoing success of the retail sector, and that during a recession it is essential that retailers are supported in maintaining their investment in the skills of their workforce; and acknowledges the work of Skillsmart Retail, the Sector Skills Council for Retail, in working with retailers to invest in skills through its new National Skills Academy for Retail, the biggest network of retail skills shops in the UK.","date":"2009-06-04","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"38744","proposer":"11816","edm":"1566","session":"2008-09","title":"British Retail Consortium Report On British Retailing -\u0000 A Commitment To Health","text":"That this House welcomes the British Retail Consortium's new report British Retailing: A Commitment to Health; is delighted to see UK retailers continue to help their customers choose a healthy, balanced diet through increased ranges, a variety of promotions and campaigns, reformulation and improved consumer education; recognises UK retailers lead the way in Europe and are genuinely committed to playing their part to help stem the UK's obesity crises; congratulates all the report's contributors, namely Asda, Burger King, Boots, The Co-operative Group, Iceland, Marks and Spencer, McDonalds, Sainsburys, Tesco and Waitrose, for the efforts they have made in health and nutrition; and urges all involved in public health to work together to bring about the cultural change necessary to improve the nation's health.","date":"2009-06-02","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"38643","proposer":"10295","edm":"1475","session":"2008-09","title":"House Of Commons Catering Staff","text":"That this House expresses concern and disappointment that the House of Commons catering grade staff are still waiting for their pay settlement from April 2008; notes the dedication and commitment of the House of Commons catering staff to delivering a first-class catering service in the House of Commons; believes it is unacceptable that these workers have not yet received the pay increases they deserve; and calls on the House authorities urgently to resolve this unacceptable situation.","date":"2009-05-12","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"38485","proposer":"10022","edm":"1334","session":"2008-09","title":"Jobs And Businesses In The UK Logistics Sector (No. 2)","text":"That this House notes that the British logistics sector directly employs some 2.3 million people and indirectly supports the work of many millions of others; recognises that the current economic downturn has had a seriously damaging impact on the logistics sector, causing insolvencies in the sector to double from fourth quarter 2007 to fourth quarter 2008; notes that the number of goods vehicles registered overseas entering Britain has reached an all-time high of over 1.7 million; further notes that these vehicles are not subject to UK road charges paid by UK based hauliers; and calls for the Government to reduce vehicle excise duty for UK lorries to the EU minimum and to introduce a per mile charge on road haulage to apply equally to overseas and domestic hauliers that will require foreign hauliers to contribute for the first time to the upkeep of the British road infrastructure.","date":"2009-04-23","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"38482","proposer":"10012","edm":"1331","session":"2008-09","title":"John Lewis Partnership And Employment Rights","text":"That this House recognises the importance of manufacturing industries to the parliamentary constituencies of Carlisle, Rossendale and Darwen and Hyndburn; is seriously concerned that Apex Textiles which, 18 months ago, took over the businesses of JH Birtwistle in Haslingden and Stead McAlpin in Carlisle from the John Lewis Partnership, with a commitment to honour the John Lewis terms of employment for any workers facing redundancy within two years, has now reneged on that commitment as a result of that company being called into administration; understands that, in the current climate, such a demand on Apex Textiles would have been difficult, if not impossible, to meet; considers, therefore, that John Lewis has a moral obligation to help to honour the terms and conditions its former employees would have enjoyed; notes that the John Lewis website claims that the company is an employer of distinction with the happiness of all its members at the heart of the John Lewis Partnership and that it also credits its founder, John Spedon Lewis, with a corporate conscience; and calls on the Government to impress upon the John Lewis Partnership its moral obligation to meet and fund the terms and conditions of those who have now lost their livelihoods, in the recognition that, if it does not, its claim to be an employer of distinction will no longer be taken seriously.","date":"2009-04-22","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"38462","proposer":"14137","edm":"1284A1","session":"2008-09","title":"Minimum Price For Unit Of Alcohol","text":"at end add `but notes that the Liberal Democrats in the Scottish Parliament have opposed the introduction of minimum pricing for alcohol in Scotland.'.","date":"2009-04-21","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"38431","proposer":"10190","edm":"1293","session":"2008-09","title":"National Pubwatch Campaign","text":"That this House supports National Pubwatch's Court not Cautions campaign; recognises that the campaign is a response to the continuing trend for assaults on staff working in pubs, bars, shops and other licensed premises to be dealt with by way of police caution or fixed penalty ticket; understands that victims of such assaults feel let down by the justice system; believes that current practice is not a sufficient deterrent; and calls on the Government to ensure that the perpetrators of assaults on licensees are rightly pursued in the courts.","date":"2009-04-20","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"38403","proposer":"10389","edm":"1278","session":"2008-09","title":"On-Pack Recycling Label","text":"That this House welcomes the launch of the British Retail Consortium's (BRC's) On-Pack Recycling Label, which is supported by the Waste and Resources Action Programme; notes that the label will help to support consumers to recycle more packaging; further notes that the label will help local authorities and others to increase recycling rates for those materials that could be recycled but that currently have low collection and recycling rates; supports the BRC's aim to encourage at least 60 retailers and suppliers to join the scheme by the end of 2009; and calls on as many companies as possible to support the scheme.","date":"2009-04-02","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"38409","proposer":"11565","edm":"1284","session":"2008-09","title":"Minimum Price For Unit Of Alcohol","text":"That this House notes the recommendations made by the Chief Medical Officer in his Annual Report 2008 to introduce a minimum price per unit of alcohol; further notes evidence of a link between price and level of consumption; recognises the damage caused by alcohol misuse to individuals, families and society; further recognises the concept of `passive drinking' or the consequences of one person's drinking on another's well-being; acknowledges that alcohol misuse costs the UK economy up to 25 billion per year, including alcohol-related health and crime costs; further acknowledges that 80 per cent. of people think that more should be done to tackle alcohol abuse in society; and calls on the Government to take steps to end the deep discounting and loss-leading sales of alcohol products and to make careful consideration of the recommendations of the Chief Medical Officer to implement a minimum price for alcohol as a means to do so.","date":"2009-04-02","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"38410","proposer":"14137","edm":"1285","session":"2008-09","title":"Alcohol Labelling","text":"That this House notes the recent publication of The Human Cost of Alcohol - Doctors Speak Out by the British Medical Association Scotland; recognises that those in the medical profession have a far greater understanding than most of the true extent and cost of alcohol misuse in the UK; further notes the range of recommendations made in the report to reduce excessive drinking, including steps to control price and availability and increase awareness of the amount of alcohol in drinks; further notes that, 10 years after the drinks industry introduced a voluntary code of practice for alcoholic labelling, only 3 per cent. of products were found to contain all the information required, and 43 per cent. of products contained no information at all; acknowledges previous research from the USA which found that mandatory labels on alcoholic beverages increased knowledge regarding the risks of drink-driving and drinking during pregnancy; and therefore calls on the Government to introduce legislation to make clear and consistent labelling of alcoholic products a legal requirement.","date":"2009-04-02","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"38396","proposer":"10295","edm":"1272","session":"2008-09","title":"Pub Ties","text":"That this House notes with concern the number of pubs and clubs that are struggling to survive, particularly during the current economic downturn; recognises that the most significant difficulty facing pubs is being tied into contracts with the brewers in relation to the purchase of alcohol which restricts the ability to make profits; and calls on the Government to outlaw the pub tie and allow landlords greater flexibility in the purchasing of alcohol in addition to reviewing the duty placed on alcohol in order to ensure that this reflects alcohol volume rather than flat rate increases in duty.","date":"2009-04-01","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"38331","proposer":"11672","edm":"1210","session":"2008-09","title":"National Pub Day","text":"That this House welcomes the first ever National Pub Day on 4 April 2009; applauds Justice for Licensees and the Save the Great British Pub campaign for this initiative; believes that the British pub is an important part of UK's history and heritage and a community focus for social, sporting and charitable activity; further believes that the public house provides a controlled and sociable drinking environment which encourages responsible drinking; recognises that pubs are currently facing difficult circumstances and require support; believes that more should be done to support and protect pubs and give more power to communities to protect them; and hopes that the first National Pub Day will receive widespread support and become an annual opportunity for celebrating the British pub which is a wonderful and unique institution and something that hon. Members should cherish and celebrate and raise a toast to on 4 April.","date":"2009-03-27","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"38332","proposer":"11672","edm":"1211","session":"2008-09","title":"National Cask Ale Week","text":"That this House welcomes the forthcoming National Cask Ale Week, the world's largest ale festival, from 6 to 13 April 2009, a week of campaigning across the United Kingdom to promote the importance and pleasures of drinking real ale in pubs; supports the aim of National Cask Ale Week to denote 6 April as National Beer Day; notes the economic strength of the cask ale industry as demonstrated by sales figures from the Small Independent Brewers' Association in November 2008; expresses hope that National Cask Ale Week will succeed in entering the Guinness Book of Records for the world's biggest toast, a record breaking attempt which will take place on 11 April 2009; and encourages hon. Members to support their local pub's participation in National Cask Ale Week.","date":"2009-03-27","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"38333","proposer":"11093","edm":"1212","session":"2008-09","title":"Save Our High Streets Campaign","text":"That this House welcomes the Daily Mirror and Federation of Small Businesses' Campaign to Save Our High Streets which calls for monthly instead of quarterly rents to ease bills, the abolition of upward only rent reviews, and measures to force banks to lend to small business firms again; believes that local town centres are the lifeblood of the local community, providing jobs, services and entertainment; and calls on the Government to work with partners to save the UK's high streets and help communities through this difficult period.","date":"2009-03-27","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"38308","proposer":"10262","edm":"1188","session":"2008-09","title":"Silent Calls","text":"That this House notes that Ofcom receives over 1,000 complaints about silent telephone calls a month; recognises that, whilst silent calls are not malicious and are usually caused by automated calling systems, which are used in call centres to generate and connect calls, they can cause distress and anxiety to members of the public; welcomes the campaign by Ofcom, Consumer Focus and Age Concern to raise awareness of silent calls and how to avoid them; calls on the Government to draw attention to the issue and the campaign; and urges the Government to enforce Ofcom regulations more strictly, requiring call centres using automated calling systems to play an information message if a call is abandoned in order to prevent the call from being silent.","date":"2009-03-25","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"38278","proposer":"12004","edm":"1160","session":"2008-09","title":"FLYBE'S PASSENGER SERVICE","text":"That this House calls on Flybe to improve its customer service to passengers; notes that while companies like BMI and British Airways have easy to use, user-friendly websites, the Flybe website frequently leads to incomplete check-in and valuable time wasted for passengers; notes with concern that the technical support desk for Flybe's poorly-performing website advertises calls at 1 per minute and is open for 12 hours a day, whereas the customer relations desk is only open for calls for six hours a day; and therefore believes that Flybe could greatly improve services for its customers and should be as diligent in responding to customers' needs as other airlines","date":"2009-03-23","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"38248","proposer":"10383","edm":"1136","session":"2008-09","title":"Assaults On Transport Workers","text":"That this House applauds the vital work of Britain's transport workers who, as essential public servants, deserve to be treated with dignity and respect; believes there is a clear responsibility on the Government together with employers in the rail, ferry, taxi and bus industries to take all necessary steps to prevent assaults on staff and provide care for those who are assaulted; further believes that reducing assaults on staff will help reduce anti-social behaviour and provide a safer environment for transport users; and supports the aims of the campaign of the Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers Union to raise awareness with employers and the public to secure the strongest possible legal protection for transport workers against assault, to establish effective cross-company forums in each of the rail, bus, taxi and ferry industries, to persuade transport employers to adopt best practice when developing policies to prevent staff assaults and provide care for those who are victims of assault and to achieve other policy goals to improve the safety and security of passengers and workers such as adequate staffing of railway stations, ending lone working and ensuring that transport workers are directly employed and adequately trained.","date":"2009-03-19","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"38207","proposer":"10521","edm":"1098","session":"2008-09","title":"Empty Shops","text":"That this House notes with grave concern the increase in empty shops in traditional town centres and neighbourhood centres; calls on the Government as a matter of urgency to consider a range of options to halt further closures and assist in the restoration to retail use of closed premises; specifically urges that value added tax for refurbishment works on retail premises should be reduced from 15 per cent. to five per cent., that next month's proposed five per cent. business rates increase should be frozen and that upward rent review clauses which automatically allowed rents to rise should be scrapped; and further urges that planning, financial and parking policies which discriminate in favour of out-of-town shopping centres should be reviewed so that there is a level playing field with traditional town centres and neighbourhood shopping centres.","date":"2009-03-16","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"38162","proposer":"11324","edm":"1058","session":"2008-09","title":"Save Our Bacon Campaign","text":"That this House congratulates Farmers Weekly, Waitrose and the Waitrose Food Illustrated magazine on their successful Save Our Bacon campaign; recognises the efforts of the campaign to promote a fair and sustainable price for high quality pork produced by British farmers; notes that most British consumers do not know the high losses being reaped by the industry and the impact on farmers; acknowledges that Waitrose is the first retailer to stock 100 per cent. British bacon when the food retail industry in general still sources large quantities of pork and bacon from overseas; recognises the important contribution British farming makes to the food supply, protecting the countryside, rural employment and combating climate change; further notes the Office of Fair Trading investigation which uncovered price fixing by supermarkets; and calls on the Government to ensure the Supermarket Code has real teeth and that supermarket regulation is introduced.","date":"2009-03-11","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"38088","proposer":"11995","edm":"996","session":"2008-09","title":"Competition Test In The Grocery Market","text":"That this House welcomes the Competition Commission's recommendation that a competition test should be introduced in the planning system to tackle local supermarket monopolies; believes that the introduction of a competition test is essential to promoting diversity of retail provision and choice for consumers and protection for communities from the dominant position of some retailers; and calls on the Government to pass the competition test into law without any further delay.","date":"2009-03-05","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"38036","proposer":"11420","edm":"954","session":"2008-09","title":"Distance Selling Regulations","text":"That this House notes that there is some confusion as to whether or not the distance selling regulations apply to a transaction, where a contract to purchase goods has been agreed over the internet, but the goods are collected from a shop; and calls on the Government to clarify that they do apply in that situation.","date":"2009-03-03","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"37999","proposer":"11672","edm":"920","session":"2008-09","title":"Pubs And Bank Lending Practices","text":"That this House is deeply concerned by reports from licensees and pub owners that they have been unable to access credit and have been told by bank representatives that it is their policy not to offer finance to pubs; is worried that pubs like many small businesses are often dependent on such credit lifelines, particularly during such difficult economic times; is disappointed that these banks do not appear to be adhering to requirements laid out by the Treasury that funds made available to the banking sector would be dependent upon banks giving a commitment to lend to small businesses; and believes that action should be taken to ensure that banks extend credit to pubs, as they would other small businesses.","date":"2009-02-27","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"37770","proposer":"11672","edm":"715","session":"2008-09","title":"All Party Parliamentary Save The Pub Group","text":"That this House welcomes the formation of the All-Party Parliamentary Save the Pub Group; shares the belief of the group that British pubs are an important part of this country's history and heritage and are hugely important to the communities they serve; believes that well-run community pubs are sociable, controlled environments in which to enjoy alcohol and so are part of the solution to problem drinking; further believes that too many pubs up and down the country are being closed, for a variety of reasons, and often when they do not need to and should not close; further believes there is an urgent need for the Government to take action in terms for support and legislative changes to address this; recommends that a range of measures are needed, from lower levels of beer duty, a more level playing field between on and off-trade pricing, reform of the current model of the tie to make it fairer and more transparent and addressing the market dominance of a few huge companies, the outlawing of restrictive covenants and changes to planning law that would offer much more protection to pubs; and further recommends that local authorities use all available powers to protect and support community pubs.","date":"2009-02-09","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"37714","proposer":"11923","edm":"663","session":"2008-09","title":"Dairy Farmers And Milk Prices","text":"That this House welcomes the beginning of National Dairy Week; notes with regret the reduction in the number of UK dairy farms; further notes with concern Wiseman's decision to reduce its milk price by 2.2 pence per litre and the announcement by Dairy Crest that it would cut its February milk price by 1.75 pence per litre and its Davidstow price by one pence per litre; expresses concern that the quota price of milk has crashed from approximately 32 pence per litre in 1988 to approximately one pence per litre in 2008; recognises that although the selling price of milk has increased, the share going to farmers has fallen since 1995 from 24.5 pence to 18 pence; acknowledges the role played in this by major supermarket chains in pushing down the price of dairy products with little regard for the need to get a fair price for farmers; and calls on the Government to act to protect dairy farmers by introducing a genuine supermarket regulator to establish a proper pricing calculation, based on a transparent pricing formula, that is detached from commodity pricing and which develops long-term, trusting relationships with the supply chain.","date":"2009-02-03","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"37589","proposer":"10222","edm":"560","session":"2008-09","title":"Grocery Market Ombudsman","text":"That this House welcomes the recommendations of the Competitions Commission's Grocery Market Inquiry that a strengthened Grocery Supply Code of Practice (GSCOP) monitored and enforced by an independent Ombudsman should be established; notes that the Commission found supermarket practices which `transfer excessive risk' to suppliers, such as retrospective unilateral changes to the terms of supply agreements, charges for loss or damage to goods after delivery and withholding payment without cause could have `an adverse effect on investment and innovation in the supply chain, and ultimately on consumers'; believes that the current recession has increased pressure on suppliers but further notes that United Kingdom supermarkets continue to report healthy profits from their grocery business; recognises that fair treatment of primary producers is crucial to achieving United Kingdom commitments to eradicating poverty in the developing world and guaranteeing food security for the United Kingdom; hopes that supermarkets will recognise that the establishment of an Ombudsman offers the opportunity for independent verification of their commitment to the principles of fair trading and that they will agree undertakings with the Commission; urges the Commission to implement its recommendation to give primary producers and other suppliers to intermediaries the right to submit complaints to the Ombudsman regarding the conduct of grocery retailers; and calls upon the Government to respect the considered recommendations of the Competition Commission and to confirm that it is prepared to introduce the necessary legislation to establish the proposed Ombudsman if a voluntary agreement cannot be achieved between the Commission, supermarkets and suppliers.","date":"2009-01-22","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"37556","proposer":"11923","edm":"529","session":"2008-09","title":"Managed Pubs","text":"That this House regrets the decision taken by Thwaites to unilaterally change its managed pubs into tenanted ones; considers this to be a serious threat to employees working in these pubs and to the role of the pub as the social hub of the community where people can enjoy alcohol in a responsible manner; believes that this is an unfair transfer of risk and responsibility from the company to individual publicans; and calls on Thwaites to review its policy with immediate effect.","date":"2009-01-21","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"37533","proposer":"11923","edm":"508","session":"2008-09","title":"Love Local Campaign","text":"That this House welcomes the Love Local campaign launched by the Westmorland Gazette aimed at supporting and promoting the local community; recognises that, given the economic climate, communities have a responsibility to work together by creating a vibrant sense of community and promoting local businesses; highlights the Love Local campaign as an excellent example of how to encourage independent retailers to promote themselves and become an integral part of the local community; and urges other communities to follow suit by adopting their own Love Local campaign to support smaller businesses and energise the local economy.","date":"2009-01-20","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"37507","proposer":"10133","edm":"483","session":"2008-09","title":"Below Cost Selling","text":"That this House notes the negative impact of below cost selling in the food industry on a whole range of issues, from employment conditions and consumer choice to animal welfare and the maintenance of our producer base; is concerned at retailers demanding high levels of discounting disproportionate to production costs and attempting to shift costs to manufacturers and growers both locally and internationally; and therefore supports the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union, representing many of those working in the food industry in the UK, in its call for greater regulation to tackle the unfair advantages of big retailers in order to protect employment conditions within the food industry and the diversity of small manufacturers and producers.","date":"2009-01-15","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"37474","proposer":"11816","edm":"451","session":"2008-09","title":"Retail Of Alcohol Standards Group","text":"That this House congratulates the supermarket, off-licence and convenience store members of the Retail of Alcohol Standards Group for their continued commitment to tackling underage sales in the off trade as demonstrated by the introduction of a Challenge 25 policy; believes that by challenging customers that cashiers suspect are under 25 years to prove their age the retail sector will further drive a cultural change amongst young people who will expect to have to prove their age should they wish to buy alcohol from the off trade; agrees that the partnership approach the Retail of Alcohol Standards Group promotes through this policy and other community-based activity is an effective way of tackling issues surrounding the consumption of alcohol; is delighted to see retailers taking such a responsible and proactive stance on underage sales; and encourages the wide usage of this initiative.","date":"2009-01-14","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"37392","proposer":"11923","edm":"376","session":"2008-09","title":"Supermarket Regulator","text":"That this House recognises the vital role that farmers play in supplying high quality produce through retailers across the country; notes with concern that discussions between supermarkets and the Competition Commission over the regulation of the supply chain between farmers and retailers have stalled; expresses concern about the growing uncertainty this has caused within the farming industry; is frustrated at the Government's reluctance to persuade supermarket retailers to commit to the introduction of a supermarket ombudsman; recognises that a report by Cardiff University estimates the annual cost of an ombudsman is \u00c2\u00a36 million; and calls on the Government to introduce an independent supermarket regulator to ensure that the supply chain from farms to supermarkets is properly monitored and that fair prices are paid to farmers for their produce.","date":"2009-01-12","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"37342","proposer":"11672","edm":"331","session":"2008-09","title":"Restrictive Covenants","text":"That this House is appalledat the use of restrictive covenants by pub operating companies, where a pub or licensed premises is sold with a condition of sale preventing the premises from being used as a pub in the future; believes that this is a scandal whereby the company concerned is taking an entirely self-interested decision permanently to shut pubs against the wishes of the community served by the pub simply to serve their own commercial interests; believes that this is against free and fair competition, andprevents other operators, individuals or co-operatives taking on such pubs; is further concerned that this will lead to the permanent closure of many community pubs up and down the country, when these pubs could be successful if another operator were allowed to run them; is aware of the benefits which pubs bring to their local community, particularly as a social hub and meeting point; and callson the Government to act to outlaw the use of restrictive covenants on pubs and prevent the permanent loss of even more pubs from high streets and communitiesacross the country.","date":"2008-12-17","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"37372","proposer":"11420","edm":"250A1","session":"2008-09","title":"Woolworths Closure","text":"leave out `under public control' and insert `with a similar structure to that of John Lewis.'.","date":"2008-12-17","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"37251","proposer":"10218","edm":"250","session":"2008-09","title":"Woolworths Closure","text":"That this House is appalled by the imminent closure of Woolworths, after 99 years of trading, with the loss of some 30,000 jobs and more than 700 high street stores; calls on the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform to take all necessary steps to create a People's Woolies, under public control, as a bulwark against the worst effects of the recession, employing local people, sourcing local produce, easily accessible by public transport, and providing the goods and services that those on low incomes need; and asks that this be done as a matter of urgency before the assets of Woolworths are stripped without any public benefit whatsoever.","date":"2008-12-11","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"37183","proposer":"10586","edm":"189","session":"2008-09","title":"Point Of Sale Display Of Tobacco Products","text":"That this House welcomes the Government's announcement of legislation to prohibit point of sale display of tobacco products in the 2008 Queen's Speech; notes that the Department of Health estimates that this will lead to up to 2,800 fewer young people taking up smoking each year, saving many thousands of lives in the longer-term; and calls upon the Government to commit itself to open, full and genuine consultation with all affected and interested parties on the most effective means of implementation of this legislation, in line with its obligations under the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control which requires it to protect its public health policies from the commercial and vested interests of the tobacco industry.","date":"2008-12-09","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"37184","proposer":"11923","edm":"190","session":"2008-09","title":"Pubcos And The Supply Tie","text":"That this House notes that the Beer Orders, passed in 1989, were intended to increase competition in brewing, wholesaling and retailing; believes however that they have failed to do this, and have instead concentrated ownership of British pubs in the hands of pub companies or Pubcos; further notes that in 1989 the three biggest brewers owned around 20,000 pubs, about a third of the UK's total, and that the three biggest Pubcos own around 20,000 pubs, a notably similar figure; further notes that pubs are closing at the rate of around 36 pubs a week and that from 2006-07 bankruptcies amongst pub landlords increased seven-fold and are set to get worse; notes with concern that Pubcos have failed to adopt the recommendations of the Trade and Industry Select Committee, namely that rents should be sustainable; further notes that tied tenants should not be financially worse off than if they were free of tie, that upward-only rent reviews and the gaming machine tie must cease, and that the utmost transparency in all rents and reviews is paramount; and calls on the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform to refer the matter of the supply tie and rent formulation to the Competition Commission with a view to addressing the dominance of the big Pubcos in the pub market.","date":"2008-12-09","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"37162","proposer":"11707","edm":"170","session":"2008-09","title":"Provision Of Healthcare In Burnage","text":"That this House recognises that when planning permission was granted to Tesco to build a supermarket in Burnage, as a condition of the approval, Tesco was to build a new surgery for the Kingsway Medical Practice; notes with concern that the deadline of 4 April 2008 has passed and that, despite the best efforts of the Kingsway Medical Practice, Tesco has failed to start the work; regrets the delay in providing a new purpose-built surgery for the residents of Burnage; questions whether Tesco has reneged on its promise; and calls on Tesco to stop dragging its feet and to fulfil its obligations to the people of Burnage.","date":"2008-12-08","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"37002","proposer":"10521","edm":"10","session":"2008-09","title":"Campaign To Save The Great British Pub","text":"That this House is alarmed that five public houses are closing down every day, with beer sales in pubs at their lowest level for nearly 40 years; is deeply concerned as to the future of 7,500 public houses and more than 40,000 jobs; supports the launch of a campaign to mobilise public and political support to save the Great British Pub; believes that traditional public houses are being unfairly priced out of the market while supermarkets offer cheap deals without the level of restrictions and responsibilities required of licencees of public houses; further supports the beer industry and The Campaign for Real Ale's Axe the Beer Tax, Save the Pub campaign which states that tax rises in the Pre-Budget Report, and further planned increases in tax, will place traditional public houses at even greater risk of closing down; and calls on the Government to adopt the campaign's Last Orders, a five-point plan to save the British pub, as a way forward in safeguarding the future of Britain's traditional public houses.","date":"2008-12-03","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"37051","proposer":"11522","edm":"59","session":"2008-09","title":"TURTLE'S","text":"That this House celebrates 115 years of service to Croydon and its residents of Turtle's, a long-standing family business that has been a bastion of Croydon retailing for four generations and which will leave many happy memories for its customers when the business closes for the last time on Christmas Eve 2008.","date":"2008-12-03","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"37063","proposer":"10527","edm":"71","session":"2008-09","title":"Christian Holy Days And Commercial Activities","text":"That this House notes that neither Good Friday nor Christmas Day are included in the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971 on the grounds that they are traditional days of rest and worship; further notes that the restrictions under the Sunday Trading Act 1994 do not apply to either of these important days in the Christian calendar; recognises that competitive pressures find many Christians in a position where they feel compelled to work on these days, and that many Christians view commercial activities on these days as showing a disregard and disrespect for their religion; and therefore calls upon the Government to review existing legislation relating to the holiest days in the Christian calendar and bring forward change that will protect Christians from being compelled to engage in commercial activities on Good Friday and Christmas Day.","date":"2008-12-03","status":"o"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"36887","proposer":"10442","edm":"2481","session":"2007-08","title":"Licensing Of Lap-Dancing Clubs","text":"That this House welcomes the Government's proposal to reform licensing of lap-dancing clubs; notes that lap-dancing clubs currently fall into the same licensing category as restaurants and require only a licence to retail alcohol, despite also offering visual entertainment of a sexual nature; further notes that this has led to the number of such clubs doubling since 2004 whilst both limiting the say of local communities and preventing local authorities from considering the licensing of lap-dancing clubs in relation to gender equality; believes that the only viable solution to this problem is to allow local authorities to licence lap dancing clubs as sex encounter establishments; and calls for the Home Office to introduce legislation to this effect in the forthcoming Policing and Crime Reduction Bill.","date":"2008-11-11","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"36851","proposer":"10586","edm":"2421A1","session":"2007-08","title":"Corporate Terms Of Payment To Suppliers","text":"leave out `decries' and insert `deplores'.","date":"2008-11-06","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"36816","proposer":"11823","edm":"2421","session":"2007-08","title":"Corporate Terms Of Payment To Suppliers","text":"That this House decries the behaviour of Boots, Tesco and other large corporate bodies who have improved their own cash flow at the expense of their suppliers by lengthening their terms of payment; notes that this will be ultimately self-defeating because suppliers, who are being squeezed at one end by banks and at the other by customers, will be unable to continue to supply because they will go out of business; and calls on all large companies to exercise great corporate responsibility in these difficult times and to comply with the requirements of companies legislation and publish their terms of business.","date":"2008-11-05","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"36602","proposer":"10327","edm":"2252","session":"2007-08","title":"Price Of Milk","text":"That this House notes the interesting coincidence that Marks and Spencer, Sainsbury's, Tesco and Waitrose have all simultaneously increased the price of a two-pint container of milk from 80 pence to 86 pence.","date":"2008-10-15","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"36591","proposer":"10190","edm":"2241","session":"2007-08","title":"High Street Beer Sales","text":"That this House notes with concern that Tesco supermarket has advertised Carlsberg lager at the reduced price of \u00c2\u00a35 for 18 bottles; further notes newspaper reports that the offer has caused chaos in many stores with people rushing to take advantage of the cheap alcohol; fears that further such action by other supermarkets will spark a high street beer war; is concerned about the effect of such prices on consumers' health, NHS resources and the future of the pub industry; and calls on the Government to encourage supermarkets to adopt a responsible pricing policy.","date":"2008-10-14","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"36557","proposer":"11221","edm":"2208","session":"2007-08","title":"British Airways Job Losses At Glasgow Airport","text":"That this House expresses its concern at the continuing loss of jobs by British Airways staff at Glasgow Airport and other regional airports across the UK; notes that these job losses demonstrate a clear lack of commitment by BA to serving regional airports outside London, are not in the best interests of the travelling public, undermine the long-term security of the workforce and treat regional airports such as Glasgow as trading posts; and believes that British Airways should reconsider this decision or go the whole way and rebrand themselves London Airways.","date":"2008-10-08","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"36558","proposer":"10313","edm":"2209","session":"2007-08","title":"Freedom From Fear Campaign (No. 2)","text":"That this House congratulates the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (Usdaw) on its groundbreaking Freedom from Fear campaign, which seeks to prevent violence, threats and abuse against shopworkers; notes with concern that two thirds of shop staff have been abused in the last year and nearly 10 per cent. have suffered physical assault, with the major cause of assaults being trolley rage by abusive customers; requests hon. Members to support Usdaw's Respect for Shopworkers Week on 3rd to 7th November, which asks customers to `keep your cool at Christmas'; and urges all hon. Members to help retailers and their staff to call upon the support of local police and of anti-social behaviour units to tackle violent offenders and persistent abusers.","date":"2008-10-08","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"36509","proposer":"10190","edm":"2159","session":"2007-08","title":"Price Of Beer In Supermarkets","text":"That this House notes with concern that Asda supermarkets are selling Skol lager at a price of \u00c2\u00a30.90 pence for 4x440ml cans which is the equivalent of 5.11 pence per 100ml; further notes that Asda supermarkets are selling Evian still water at 5.55 pence per 100ml; is appalled that any supermarket is selling beer cheaper than water; questions whether this is an example of loss leading sales; encourages all supermarkets to cease this practice immediately; recognises the negative effect that this has on the brewing and pub industries, with 36 pub closures a week; and calls on the Government to look at the pricing policy of beers in supermarkets as opposed to public houses.","date":"2008-10-06","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"36478","proposer":"10452","edm":"2129","session":"2007-08","title":"Post Office Closures In Wansbeck","text":"That this House is extremely concerned at the Post Office closure programme announced by Post Office Ltd; notes with great concern the three proposed Post Office closures of Francesville in Scotland Gate, College in Ashington and St Mary's Field in Morpeth; is further concerned that no account has been taken of the effects these closures would have on the most vulnerable people in those three communities who rely on the services provided by the Post Office and will have a considerable distance to travel to alternative post offices which are not always served by a regular bus service; further notes that the nearest post office to St Mary's Field is scheduled to close on 1st October and that a replacement site has not yet been found despite representations from the hon. Member for Wansbeck, local councils and others; and calls upon the Government urgently to intervene to halt the current closure programme.","date":"2008-07-22","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"36491","proposer":"11513","edm":"2142","session":"2007-08","title":"Post Office Closures In Cornwall","text":"That this House notes with concern the announcement by Post Office Limited of their proposal to close post offices and so withdraw mobile services in Cornwall; further notes that this will affect communities the length of the peninsula; believes post offices are a vital community asset; and calls on the Government to provide a sustainable source of revenue for the post office network.","date":"2008-07-22","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"36492","proposer":"10394","edm":"1917A1","session":"2007-08","title":"Tesco Supermarkets And Chicken Welfare","text":"after `marque', insert `, and not to purchase from anywhere else in the world meat produced to lesser welfare standards.'.","date":"2008-07-22","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"36469","proposer":"11174","edm":"2122","session":"2007-08","title":"Travelodge And The British Seaside","text":"That this House congratulates Travelodge on its campaign for the great British seaside holiday; applauds its \u00c2\u00a3150 million investment programme in seaside venues; notes the revival of interest in British coastal towns and the increase in visitor numbers; and calls upon public bodies and private concerns to seize the opportunity imaginatively to develop further the recreational, economic and leisure potential of the UK's seaside towns.","date":"2008-07-21","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"36377","proposer":"10128","edm":"2035","session":"2007-08","title":"Independent Newspaper Fair Tips, Fair Pay Campaign","text":"That this House congratulates The Independent newspaper for launching its Fair Tips, Fair Pay campaign and joining those hon. Members, trades unions and other national newspapers campaigning to put an end to the situation in the UK hospitality industry where service charges, tips and gratuities are used to pay staff wages; recognises that the regulations under the National Minimum Wage Act 1998 allow this to happen legally; and calls on the Government to introduce amendments to the appropriate statutes to ensure that all tips and gratuities are paid to staff in addition to at least the hourly minimum wage rate.","date":"2008-07-15","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"36385","proposer":"10105","edm":"2043","session":"2007-08","title":"Post Office Consultations During Recess","text":"That this House notes with great concern that around five and a half million people across the UK will be denied a voice in Parliament on Post Office closures because proposed closures will be announced during, or on the day of, the Parliamentary summer recess; recognises the vital service provided by local Post Office branches; believes that all constituents, not just some, should be able to have their concerns raised in the House; and urges Royal Mail to reconsider its timetable for announcements.","date":"2008-07-15","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"36390","proposer":"10606","edm":"2048","session":"2007-08","title":"Post Office Closures (No. 4)","text":"That this House has no confidence in the credibility or community awareness of Post Office Ltd senior management in respect of the Post Office closure process.","date":"2008-07-15","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"36363","proposer":"11672","edm":"2022","session":"2007-08","title":"PUBLICAN'S PROUD OF PUBS WEEK 2008","text":"That this House supports Proud of Pubs Week 2008, organised by The Publican magazine; recognises the importance of local pubs to communities throughout the United Kingdom; encourages publicans to show their pride in their businesses by reaching out to their communities and taking part in different activities during the week; further encourages the public to visit their local pub and support an important community resource; and believes that this initiative is particularly important given the difficult situation many community pubs find themselves in and the challenges they face.","date":"2008-07-14","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"36371","proposer":"10428","edm":"2030","session":"2007-08","title":"Competition Commission Report On The Grocery Sector","text":"That this House notes the Competition Commission has recently released its final report following a two year investigation into the grocery sector, which found evidence that some supermarket companies have systematically abused their financial position with a number of their overseas suppliers; and believes it essential that the UK Government demonstrates its continuing commitment to delivering a fair deal to overseas workers by their adoption and implementation of the Commission's Report recommendations which include the establishment in the UK of an independent ombudsman for this sector, given the necessary powers to take effective action against any UK operating company found guilty of trading abuse of those within its supply chains.","date":"2008-07-14","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"36372","proposer":"11823","edm":"2031","session":"2007-08","title":"Solihull Post Offices","text":"That this House notes with concern that during the Post Office network change programme consultation in the Midlands so far, despite 160 objections to the closure of a post office, only four reversals have been successful; further notes that a consultation is currently underway in Solihull; further notes that post offices play a valuable role in local communities by offering a vital lifeline for those most vulnerable; and calls on the Government to ensure that the views of the residents in Solihull are fully acknowledged during the consultation, and that wherever possible post offices are supported and encouraged to thrive, rather than closed against the wishes of local people.","date":"2008-07-14","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"36352","proposer":"10089","edm":"2015","session":"2007-08","title":"National Asian Restaurant Awards","text":"That this House notes the importance of Asian restaurants to the British economy; notes that these exclusive culinary excellence awards benefit the Roko Cancer Charity who are assisting thousands of of cancer sufferers; congratulates Labas Miah of the Panhar Restaurant in Blyth, Northumberland on his prestigious award from the Tiffi Club as runner up in the awards; and further notes that the Panhar restaurant was representing the North East Region and has raised the profile of that region.","date":"2008-07-10","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"36355","proposer":"10295","edm":"2018","session":"2007-08","title":"LOCAL FARMERS' POLICY","text":"That this House calls for the launch of local food procurement policies to be imposed on supermarkets, schools, universities and hospitals; further calls on the Government to encourage supermarkets to commit themselves to local competition policies to promote local self-reliance, regeneration of local communities and sustainable local economy; further calls for taxes on supermarket food to be based on the road and air miles that stock travels to encourage local sourcing; and notes that the current supermarket code of practice requires legal strengthening by the appointment of an independent ombudsman to secure and regulate fair trade between supermarkets and local suppliers.","date":"2008-07-10","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"36265","proposer":"10428","edm":"1942","session":"2007-08","title":"Post Office Transaction Card","text":"That this House is concerned about rumours that the Government is considering withdrawing its support for the Post Office's transaction card and instead awarding the contract to another supplier, a scenario which, if enacted, would inevitably lead to further local Post Office closures; and calls upon the Government to desist from taking such a direction and presses instead for it to find new ways of helping and promoting the Post Office network for all those who are dependent upon the essential services it provides to the UK and its citizens.","date":"2008-07-02","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"36239","proposer":"10521","edm":"1917","session":"2007-08","title":"Tesco Supermarkets And Chicken Welfare","text":"That this House deplores the action of institutional shareholders of Tesco plc in voting against a resolution to ensure that chicken rearing standards are improved; congratulates TV cook Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall for his campaign which sought to persuade Britain's largest food retailer to upgrade its minimum conditions to the RSPCA's `Freedom Food' marque; urges all other food retailers to adopt these minimum conditions and inform customers that they have done so; urges people in the meantime to boycott the purchase of chickens at Tesco stores; and calls on the Government to make it a requirement for all those involved in chicken rearing to meet the RSPCA's minimum conditions.","date":"2008-06-30","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"36224","proposer":"11245","edm":"1903","session":"2007-08","title":"Proposed Closure Of Castle Point Post Office Branches","text":"That this House is concerned by the proposed closure of Castle Point post office branches 173 Church Road, Thundersley and Dovervelt Road, Canvey Island; recognises the vital importance of these individual post office branches in serving the local communities; urges the Government and Post Office Ltd to listen properly to the views of all local people during the consultation process and reverse the policy of closing these sub-post offices; regrets that the Government has brought about the decline of the post office network, rather than freeing sub-post offices to offer new services and to work with carriers other than the Royal Mail; calls upon the Government to accept the essential and continuing need for the 173 Church Road, Thundersley and Dovervelt Road, Canvey post office branches and other sub-post offices throughout Castle Point and Essex; and further calls on the Government to withdraw from undemocratic and improper regulation imposed on the UK by Europe which is a major reason for the closure programme, to reverse its withdrawal of public business from post offices, to retain the Post Office Card Account and adopt a more constructive policy towards bringing new business to the network, thereby saving post office branches from closure.","date":"2008-06-25","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"36225","proposer":"10176","edm":"1904","session":"2007-08","title":"Small Shops And Restrictions On Point Of Sale Displays Of Tobacco Products","text":"That this House acknowledges the hard work of small and independent retailers; congratulates them on the vital role they play in the many diverse communities across the country; recognises the ever-present economic and commercial pressures threatening their viability and survival and is concerned that the regulatory burden placed upon them should be maintained at an appropriate level; expresses its concern that any new measures to restrict the display of tobacco products in small shops should be balanced, proportionate and firmly evidence-based; and calls upon the Government to commit to open, full and genuine consultation with all affected and interested parties to examine the effect of any such proposals on the viability of small shops, the market in illicit tobacco and the impact on competition; further welcomes Government action to address illegal sales of tobacco; and urges the Government to continue to pursue the most effective and proven measures by which under-18s can be deterred from smoking.","date":"2008-06-25","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"36186","proposer":"11817","edm":"1868","session":"2007-08","title":"Post Office Closures (No. 3)","text":"That this House notes that closing a post office branch in a rural village has a much greater detrimental impact on the community involved than closing one in a major city where there are always other nearby shops and facilities and much better public transport than in rural areas; and urges the Post Office to take this into account when deciding on closures proposed under the current programme.","date":"2008-06-24","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"36147","proposer":"10295","edm":"1838","session":"2007-08","title":"Licensing Of Tattoo And Piercing Outlets","text":"That this House calls on the Government to review current legislation surrounding the application for, and gaining of, a licence to operate a tattoo and piercing outlet; notes with concern that the current legislation monitors outlets only when in practice and offers no safeguards surrounding those who apply for the licences; notes that currently individuals with no prior training or experience can gain licences to operate an outlet; futher notes with concern that there is no external monitoring body for the industry such as a trade association; and calls on the Government to recognise the need for a regulatory body specifically for the industry to undertake stringent training programmes and ensure minimum health and safety standards are achieved across the board.","date":"2008-06-19","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"36118","proposer":"10647","edm":"1814","session":"2007-08","title":"Macclesfield Constituency Post Office Branches","text":"That this House is concerned by the proposed closure of the Bollinbrook, Bollington Cross, Sutton, Broken Cross, Gawsworth and Hockley post office branches in Macclesfield constituency; recognises the vital importance of these individual post office branches in serving the local communities; urges the Government and Post Office Ltd to listen properly to the views of all local people during the consultation process and reverse the policy of closing sub-post offices; acknowledges that the Bollinbrook, Bollington Cross, Sutton, Broken Cross, Gawsworth and Hockley post office branches in Macclesfield constituency provide their surrounding communities with their only source of accessing vital services; regrets that the Government has chosen to manage the decline of the Post Office network instead of finding solutions, which would bring new business to the sub-post offices, such as freeing sub-post offices to offer new services and to work with carriers other than the Royal Mail; calls upon Government to accept the essential and continuing need for the Bollinbrook, Bollington Cross, Sutton, Broken Cross, Gawsworth and Hockley post office branches and other sub-post offices throughout Macclesfield constituency to remain fully operational; and further calls on the Government to adopt a more constructive policy towards bringing new business to the network thereby saving many post office branches from closure.","date":"2008-06-17","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"36092","proposer":"11170","edm":"1788","session":"2007-08","title":"Post Offices In Wales (No. 2)","text":"That this House notes its disappointment at the decision to name Blaenau post office, Cwmann post office, Gorslas post office, Llansaint post office, Parcyrhun post office, Saron post office and Tirydail post office in the South and West Wales Area Plan proposals for closure; further highlights Nantgaredig post office, Rhandirmwyn post office, Rhydcymerau post office, Brechfa post office, Dryslwyn post office, Llanpumsaint post office and Llanwrda post office which have all been earmarked for an outreach service; believes the disproportionate number of post offices in the Carmarthen East and Dinefwr constituency affected is especially damaging due to the rural nature of the area; and calls for the list to be reconsidered incorporating the social impacts these proposals will have on the community.","date":"2008-06-13","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"36052","proposer":"11036","edm":"1752","session":"2007-08","title":"Hinton St. George Post Office","text":"That this House condemns the proposal by Post Office Limited to close the successful and popular post office in the village of Hinton St. George in Somerset; notes that this proposal comes immediately after confirmation of closure plans for five other post offices in the immediate area, and with at least three other local offices at risk of temporary or permanent closure; recognises the strong opposition to these plans from the residents of Hinton St. George and surrounding communities; further notes the lack of adequate public transport to alternative post offices; is concerned that the closure of this post office could lead to the closure of the last shop in this large village; further notes the potential environmental costs of increased car usage which would inevitably follow from these proposals; and calls upon Post Office Limited to withdraw immediately the plans for the closure of this office.","date":"2008-06-11","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"36079","proposer":"11245","edm":"1749A1","session":"2007-08","title":"Post Office Closures In Manchester","text":"leave out from `that' to `and' in line 6 and insert `the European Union has removed the freedom of Parliament to provide appropriate subsidies to retain post offices;'.","date":"2008-06-11","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"36035","proposer":"11707","edm":"1749","session":"2007-08","title":"Post Office Closures In Manchester","text":"That this House condemns the Labour Government's decision to close 2,500 post offices and the recent announcement that 67 post offices across Greater Manchester and High Peak are threatened with closure, including five in Manchester; recognises that local post offices provide a vital service to their communities and play a valuable role in the sustainability of local shops; notes with concern that the Post Office has failed to justify why specific branches have been selected for closure; and calls upon all local people from across the region to campaign against the closures and to lobby the Government to bring the closure programme to a halt.","date":"2008-06-10","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35924","proposer":"10436","edm":"1642","session":"2007-08","title":"Royal Mail And The Universal Postal Delivery","text":"That this House supports the Royal Mail in its mission to maintain a universal delivery service; considers shocking the announcement by the Chairman of Postcomm that Royal Mail needs an infusion of private capital if it is to be able to maintain the universal service and that this announcement was made immediately after his Chief Executive had told the Public Accounts Committee that Royal Mail was profitable and well able to sustain the universal service despite Postcomm's policy of bringing in private operators to take over profitable services, leaving Royal Mail with the less profitable final mile delivery at imposed prices too low to sustain that service; is further dismayed by the Chairman's proposal that Royal Mail should be subject to VAT as an extra charge on its users and his insistence that competition is more effective in sustaining competitive delivery services than proper regulation; suggests that Postcomm is taking an ideological view which bears no relationship to the public service responsibilities of the Royal Mail; therefore laments the fact that the Postal Services Act of 2000 was the prelude to breaking down Great Britain's integrated postal service, splitting the Royal Mail and the Post Office and reducing the profitability of both; and points out to the Government that the Bolkestein Directive of 2006 which extends these follies to the whole of the European Union will not be implemented by Germany and Holland until 2013, prompting the question, What's the rush?","date":"2008-05-22","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35891","proposer":"11672","edm":"1613","session":"2007-08","title":"Planned Closure Of Far Headingley, Bramhope And Newall Post Offices","text":"That this House notes with grave concern and regret the planned closure of the Far Headingley, Bramhope and Newall post offices; recognises the highly important role that these post offices play within the local communities they serve; believes that many residents, particularly the elderly, will be significantly disadvantaged by these closures, as well as local businesses who utilise the services the post offices provide; and urges the Government and Post Office Limited to review urgently the closure of these branches.","date":"2008-05-20","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35893","proposer":"10210","edm":"1615","session":"2007-08","title":"UK Curry Industry","text":"That this House recognises the huge contribution made by the curry industry to UK society and the economy; notes the dependence of this industry upon skilled migrant labour and the subsequent concerns resulting from the recent tightening of immigration rules; calls on the Government to promote the training of chefs of curry cuisine from amongst the UK Bangladeshi community as an immediate measure; suggests that visas be extended for professional chefs already working in the UK curry industry; and urges that consultation with EU partners about whether the highly skilled migrant scheme should be extended to these specialists chefs.","date":"2008-05-20","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35903","proposer":"10683","edm":"1449A1","session":"2007-08","title":"Taxing The Profits Of Credit Creation","text":"leave out `building society' and insert `bank'.","date":"2008-05-20","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35904","proposer":"10683","edm":"1449A2","session":"2007-08","title":"Taxing The Profits Of Credit Creation","text":"leave out `building societies'.","date":"2008-05-20","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35880","proposer":"11345","edm":"1602","session":"2007-08","title":"Post Office Closures In Devon","text":"That this House deeply regrets the Post Office's intended closure of 45 sub-post offices in the county of Devon, as published by the Western Morning News, including those serving the towns and villages of Avonwick, Axminster, Barnstaple (East Street and Goodleigh), Bideford, Budleigh Salterton, Crediton, Dartmouth, Exmouth, Hennock, Holcombe, Holsworthy, Honiton, Ilfracombe (Portland Street and Combe Martin), Ivybridge, Kingsbridge (Kellaton and West Charleton), Lynton (Barbrook and Lynmouth Street), Okehampton, Paignton (Totnes Road and Roundham Road), Plympton (St Maurice Road and Seymour Road), Sidmouth, Stokeinteignhead, Tavistock (Ford Street and Peter Tavy), Torquay (Walnut Road and Union Street), Totnes, Yelverton (Buckland Monachorum and Milton Combe) and the cities of Plymouth (Beaumont Road, Stuart Road, Ryder Road, Market Road and Walker Terrace) and Exeter (Clyst St George, Exwick Road, Pinhoe Road, Queen Street and Victoria Street); believes that post offices offer a vital service to the community; further believes that the closures are likely to have a particularly negative impact on elderly and disabled members of the community, and that these closures could result in the decline of local communities; and calls on the Government to boost, rather than close, post offices by reversing the cuts in public business carried out in post offices.","date":"2008-05-19","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35868","proposer":"11312","edm":"1591","session":"2007-08","title":"Royal Mail And Zonal Pricing","text":"That this House notes that Royal Mail has launched an application for judicial review of Postcomm's decision to refuse its application to introduce a system of zonal pricing for mail delivery; believes that such a system strikes at the heart of the Universal Service Obligation (USO); reiterates its support for the USO; and further calls upon Royal Mail to withdraw its application.","date":"2008-05-15","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35843","proposer":"10128","edm":"1567","session":"2007-08","title":"Fair Tips Charter Campaign","text":"That this House welcomes the launch of the Fair Tips Charter Campaign by the Daily Mirror and Unite, while recognising there are honourable owners of hotels, restaurants, and other hospitality outlets who ensure that all gratuities are paid to their staff in addition to at least the minimum wage without deductions; is also aware that HM Revenue and Customs class service charges, cover charges, gratuities and tips all as gratuities for national insurance contributions purposes yet many hospitality establishments still treat these as extra payments to the proprietors and do not pass them on to their staff in addition to at least the minimum wage; understands that this practice is legally allowed at the moment because of regulation 31 subsection 1(e) governing the Minimum Wage Act 1998; and calls on all other trades unions and media to support the Fair Tips Charter, all hospitality outlets and their trade associations to sign up to and operate the four pledges in the Charter, and the Government to introduce amending legislation in the Queen's Speech that will ensure that all tips will be paid to staff in addition to the minimum wage.","date":"2008-05-14","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35808","proposer":"11333","edm":"1538","session":"2007-08","title":"Edinburgh As World Beating Tourist Destination","text":"That this House warmly congratulates Edinburgh on being named 10th out of 25 top European destinations and 27th out of 100 world destinations in the Travellers' Choice Awards; notes that Edinburgh comes ahead of destinations like Paris, Melbourne, San Francisco and Venice; and believes that this is great news for both Edinburgh and Scotland's reputation as a tourist destination.","date":"2008-05-12","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35783","proposer":"11923","edm":"1514","session":"2007-08","title":"Post Offices In South Lakeland","text":"That this House notes with grave concern the ongoing plans to close Beetham, Leven Valley and Greenodd post offices; notes the inadequate outreach service proposed in place of the post office in Dent; further notes the damage the planned closures will do to local communities in South Lakeland as post offices form an integral part of local life; and urges the Government and Post Office Limited to review the closures of these branches immediately.","date":"2008-05-08","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35786","proposer":"11672","edm":"1517","session":"2007-08","title":"Wine Glass Sizes","text":"That this House is alarmed at the move in recent years to serve only larger-sized glasses of wine in pubs, clubs and restaurants and to phase out the 125ml measure of wine in favour of larger 175ml measures and 250ml measures, which in the latter case is the equivalent of a third of a bottle or almost half a pint of wine; is concerned about the impact of this practice on the health of wine drinkers and their perception of how many units of alcohol they are consuming; commends the report by the Royal College of Physicians which called the practice `irresponsible' and said that there was `no doubt at all that many people are drinking significantly more than they realise'; further notes the comments of the Good Pub Guide, saying that this move `isn't generosity, it's just a way of getting more money into their tills, leaving many customers drinking more than they want to'; and calls on the Government to bring forward legislative proposals to require all wine selling on-trade establishments to provide the option of a 125ml measure, in addition to the existing larger volumes, to give customers the real choice of having a smaller measure of wine if they so wish as well as larger-sized measures.","date":"2008-05-08","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35787","proposer":"10785","edm":"1518","session":"2007-08","title":"Guideline Daily Amount Labelling","text":"That this House welcomes recent consumer research undertaken by the Mirror Group newspaper reader panel on front of pack guideline daily amounts (GDA) nutrition labelling that showed 90 per cent. of those polled were aware of the labels, 63 per cent. of those polled had used the labels, that 85 per cent. of those polled found them easy to understand and 82 per cent. of those polled thought they contained all the information they wanted; considers it encouraging that GDA labelling has now been adopted by 64 major food companies and appears on the front of pack on more than 25,000 products in UK supermarkets; and urges more manufacturers and retailers to adopt the GDA scheme in order to help consumers make informed food choices.","date":"2008-05-08","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35765","proposer":"11312","edm":"1497","session":"2007-08","title":"Liberalisation Of Royal Mail","text":"That this House notes the interim report of the Independent Review of the UK Postal Sector that liberalisation has been of no benefit to small and medium-sized businesses or residential customers and that the substantial threat to Royal Mail's financial security has threatened the universal service; believes that the universal service and universal tariff are essential to the future of the postal service; and calls on the Government to give a categorical assurance that it will not allow any action to be taken to undermine the universal service and tariff.","date":"2008-05-07","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35767","proposer":"10295","edm":"1499","session":"2007-08","title":"Liberalisation Of The UK Postal Sector","text":"That this House urges the Government to acknowledge with urgency the findings of the commissioned independent review of the UK postal sector; recognises the warning from the panel that liberalisation of the service is a threat to Royal Mail's financial stability; asks the Government to demonstrate an awareness of the policies that are needed to establish a sustainable future for Royal Mail; and recognises consumer group PostWatch's plea for acknowledgment that a healthy, efficient and profitable Royal Mail is critically important.","date":"2008-05-07","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35774","proposer":"10105","edm":"1506","session":"2007-08","title":"Post Office Card Account","text":"That this House notes that over four million people chose to use the Post Office Card Account (POCA) and that these transactions earn the Post Office \u00c2\u00a3200 million each year; is aware that the Government will soon announce its decision on which company shall operate the successor product to the POCA from 2010; recognises that the Post Office is best placed to provide this service because of its unrivalled geographical reach, its status as a trusted brand and its ability to offer customers a seamless transition; believes that retaining the successor of the POCA as a Post Office product is essential to the viability of the Post Office network following the Network Change Programme; and in this context urges the Government to award the successor product to the Post Office.","date":"2008-05-07","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35777","proposer":"10282","edm":"1509","session":"2007-08","title":"Parliamentary Postal Services","text":"That this House commends the postal staff in the Palace of Westminster for their continued excellent service, loyal dedication and their willingness to go that extra mile for the benefit of all hon. Members; is alarmed that the House authorities are intending to privatise the post services within the Palace; and calls upon those authorities to reconsider immediately.","date":"2008-05-07","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35759","proposer":"10074","edm":"1493","session":"2007-08","title":"North East Scotland Post Office Closures","text":"That this House notes that by the end of May 2008 the Post Office will publish details of the post offices in the North East of Scotland it is proposing to close; and calls on the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform to recognise the damage these closures cause and the scale of the resentment across the UK at similar closures and, to prove they are listening, to halt the closure plan and develop alternative proposals to invest in the network and increase the range of services available through local post offices.","date":"2008-05-06","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35736","proposer":"11816","edm":"1471","session":"2007-08","title":"Basmati Rice","text":"That this House is concerned about the rising cost of rice which is causing problems for many South Asian restaurants and takeaways; condemns the EU for imposing tariffs of up to 65 euros per ton on basmati (brown long grain) rice from Thailand, Egypt, Uruguay and the US; believes in the principle of free trade; and therefore calls on the Government to regain trade policy from the EU and abolish these tariffs for the benefit of these restaurants, takeaways and the customers they serve.","date":"2008-05-01","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35711","proposer":"10436","edm":"1449","session":"2007-08","title":"Taxing The Profits Of Credit Creation","text":"That this House considers that in the light of the nationalisation of one failing buiding society, the help given to markets by the Bank of England's boost to interbank liquidity and the huge benefit given to the financial sector by the Bank's proposal to take on up to \u00c2\u00a350 billion of unsaleable special purpose vehicles of bundled debt to help the banks, building societies and lending institutions escape the consequences of their own follies is disproportionate, and should be now balanced by ensuring that the financial institutions which have benefited so substantially from the effective privatisation of the great bulk of credit creation by their power to create money via credit cards, bank accounts, mortgages, loans, special purpose vehicles and other financial instruments thus ensuring that the seigniorage on money creation which once came to the people on public credit created by the minting and printing of money, now goes into bank profits are taxed on the credit they create to compensate the taxpayer for the fact that the 97 per cent. of credit creation arrogated by the private sector to use and abuse for its own profit and purposes, rather than the benefit of the public, has been so badly misused and has led to yet another financial crisis of the type financial flesh is all too frequently heir to.","date":"2008-04-29","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35713","proposer":"10231","edm":"1451","session":"2007-08","title":"Channel 4 Dispatches Programme: The Mobile Phone Rip-Off","text":"That this House welcomes the recent Channel 4 Dispatches investigation into mis-selling in the mobile telephone industry broadcast on 28th April; believes that the breadth of the programme's thorough investigation amply demonstrates the depth of mis-selling and lack of effective industry regulation and transparency which has poorly served the customer and left many thousands in debt, being pursued by debt collection agencies and owed an estimated \u00c2\u00a350 million in now worthless cashback deals; believes the network providers, Orange, T-Mobile, Vodafone, 3 and O2 to have been complicit in creating this situation and to be behaving increasingly like a cartel; notes that information relating to both the individual contribution that the network providers each make to Ofcom and data relating to the numbers of people affected by cashback is officially not available; welcomes the publication of Ofcom consultation on the industry but regrets that no action or compensation is contemplated for customers already affected by cashback and doubts whether the statutory powers contemplated by Ofcom will be effectively resourced and policed; and calls on Ofcom to refer the matter to the Competition Commission without further delay to ascertain if collusion has taken place and assuage the public's well-founded concern about whether the market is working effectively.","date":"2008-04-29","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35716","proposer":"10220","edm":"1454","session":"2007-08","title":"Pennies4change Charity","text":"That this House urges the banking and retail sectors to allow their customers to raise an estimated \u00c2\u00a3100 million a year for charity by offering the option of rounding up credit and debit card transactions to the nearest \u00c2\u00a31 through the PIN terminal at the point of sale through the Pennies4change scheme; and considers that by harnessing the power of pennies and encouraging a culture of giving, Pennies4change can make a significant impact for those in need and for good causes everywhere.","date":"2008-04-29","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35724","proposer":"10275","edm":"1280A1","session":"2007-08","title":"Access To Affordable Credit","text":"leave out from `credit;' to end and add `notes that credit unions and legally regulated lenders are preferable to the vulnerable being forced into the hands of illegal loan sharks; further notes that The Money Shop has a strong track record in compliance and is regulated by the Office of Fair Trading, and that no stores have products with a 1,000 per cent. interest rate; further notes that it is disingenous to compare pay day advances with annual percentage rates (APRs) as they are not designed to be annual loans and are repaid over 30 days; further notes that their pay day advances are cheaper than an unauthorised bank overdraft; understands that they provide financial access for customers who are often excluded by traditional banks and in many communities where banks have withdrawn their services altogether; further notes that the credit they offer is balanced against ability to pay; welcomes the clear explanations of repayment costs which are provided in-store; and further welcomes the work they do with Government agencies in the fight against ID fraud and other crime.'.","date":"2008-04-29","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35702","proposer":"10022","edm":"1441","session":"2007-08","title":"Plastic Bags","text":"That this House welcomes the increased attention in the press to the pollution caused by plastic bags; notes official figures which show that one in 10 public spaces is littered with plastic bags; further notes that single-use plastic bags are only used for an average of 20 minutes but take 1,000 years to rot away; congratulates high street chains Marks & Spencer and Debenhams on their recent decision to impose a five pence charge on their single-use plastic bags; regrets that the Big Four major supermarket retailers, Tesco, Morrisons, Asda and Sainsbury's, continue to give away free plastic bags; and calls on the Big Four and other major retailers to follow the example set by Marks & Spencer and Debenhams by introducing a five pence charge on single-use plastic bags to encourage a switch to greener alternatives such as cotton, hemp and jute carriers or re-usable `bags for life'.","date":"2008-04-28","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35642","proposer":"11640","edm":"1395","session":"2007-08","title":"Hylands Post Office, Hornchurch","text":"That this House is deeply concerned by the proposal to close the Hylands Post Office, Hornchurch Road, Hornchurch; recognises the vital importance of this post office in serving the local community; urges the Government and Post Office Ltd. to listen to the views of all local people and abandon their policy of closing sub post offices, which provide an essential service to communities such as Hornchurch and Romford; and calls upon the Government to acknowledge the continuing need for Hylands Post Office to remain in operation.","date":"2008-04-22","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35643","proposer":"11199","edm":"1396","session":"2007-08","title":"Gobions Avenue Post Office, Romford","text":"That this House wholeheartedly supports the people of Chase Cross, Collier Row, Rise Park and Havering-atte-Bower in opposing the proposed closure of the Gobions Avenue Post Office, Gobions Avenue in Romford; recognises the vital importance of this post office in serving the local community; urges the Government and Post Office Ltd to listen to the views of all local people and reverse the policy of closing sub-post offices; acknowledges that the Gobions Avenue Post Office provides the local community with its only source of accessing vital services; and therefore calls upon the Government to accept the essential and continuing need for this and other sub-post offices throughout the Romford area to remain open for business.","date":"2008-04-22","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35600","proposer":"10218","edm":"1356","session":"2007-08","title":"Future Of Restaurant And Curry Industries","text":"That this House notes the enormous economic contribution made by immigrants into Britain through the restaurant trade and other industries; notes that many restaurants are having great difficulty finding staff owing to visa restrictions on the entry of workers from outside the European Union, while at the same time significant numbers of such workers are already in the UK but whose temporary work permits have expired; and therefore believes that enabling these workers to work legally through an extension of their permits makes economic sense and would avoid them having to return to countries outside the EU in order to apply for their permits from there, where there is the very real possibility these permits would be refused.","date":"2008-04-21","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35615","proposer":"10045","edm":"1371","session":"2007-08","title":"Planning Policy And Supermarkets","text":"That this House welcomes the decision by the Competition Commission, reported in its Provisional Decision on Planning Remedies report, not to proceed with previous recommendations to weaken planning policy and planning policy statements in relation to town centres to allow for more supermarkets to be built on the edge of towns and in out of town locations; notes that the recommended remedies from the Competition Commission include a competition assessment to prevent an individual retailer gaining a very high level of concentration in local markets but is disappointed that the Commission's proposal would only apply if a retailer gained 60 per cent. of the local market and that the remedies will do nothing to halt the closure of independent smaller shops; further notes that a high percentage of new supermarkets continue to be built out of town leading to an increase in car-based shopping and related climate change emissions; believes that there will be a disproportionate effect on households without cars if more local shops are lost; and calls on the Government, in its forthcoming revision of Planning Policy Statement 6, to retain key existing tests such as need, accessibility and scale and to strengthen planning policy for town centres and encourage a better mix of retail by also introducing a presumption against out of town retail development and new tests for diversity, local economic impact and carbon emissions.","date":"2008-04-21","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35569","proposer":"11923","edm":"1328","session":"2007-08","title":"Pubcos And The Supply Tie","text":"That this House notes that the Beer Orders, passed in 1989, were intended to increase competition in brewing, wholesaling and retailing; believes however that they have failed to do this, and indeed have instead concentrated ownership of British pubs in the hands of pub companies or Pubcos; notes that in 1989, the three biggest brewers owned around 20,000 pubs, about a third of the UK's total and that the three biggest Pubcos own around 20,000 pubs, a notably similar figure; further notes that pubs are closing at the rate of around 27 pubs a week and that from 2006-07 bankruptcies amongst pub landlords increased seven-fold and is set to get worse; notes with concern that Pubcos have failed to adopt the recommendations of the Trade and Industry Select Committee, namely that rents should be sustainable; further notes that tied tenants should not be financially worse off than if they were free of tie, that upward only rent reviews and the gaming machine tie must cease, and that utmost transparency in all rents and reviews is paramount; and calls upon the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform to refer the matter of the supply tie and rent formulation to the Competition Commission with a view to addressing the dominance of the big Pubcos in the pub market.","date":"2008-04-03","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35571","proposer":"11672","edm":"1330","session":"2007-08","title":"Duty On Beer And Pub Closures","text":"That this House condemns the increase on duty on beer announced by the Chancellor in this year's budget which came into force on 1st April; believes that this was a very ill-judged move at a time when the beer and pub trade is facing such a difficult period and will lead to the closure of many pubs up and down the country; recognises that even the Minister with responsibility for licensing has criticised these plans and thinks that the Chancellor should reconsider; notes a recent industry report which estimates that 8,000 pubs will close in the next 10 years, involving not only the loss of community amenities but also significant job losses; recognises that these plans are clearly an attempt to raise revenue and not only will not tackle binge drinking, but because of the effect on the industry will not raise anything like the amount intended; further believes that community pubs provide a controlled environment for responsible drinking so their loss is a further blow to trying to encourage responsible alcohol consumption; and calls upon the Chancellor to realise his grave mistake, reverse the increase on beer duty and accept a freeze upon it until such time as the industry recovers, and provide support to the great British pub instead of contributing to its demise.","date":"2008-04-03","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35575","proposer":"11923","edm":"1335","session":"2007-08","title":"Labelling Of Meat","text":"That this House notes that it is currently permissible for meat and other products to be produced overseas, imported into the United Kingdom and processed and then labelled as British; notes actual British meat to be of a very high standard, and that British animal welfare standards are some of the best in the world; regrets that those purchasing meat may be misled by incorrect labelling into purchasing an inferior product; calls upon the Government to close this loophole; and further calls upon supermarkets and other retailers to exceed the prescriptions of law by ensuring that only that produce that has been produced in the United Kingdom is labelled as British.","date":"2008-04-03","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35550","proposer":"10208","edm":"1309","session":"2007-08","title":"Ethical Trading And The 2012 Olympic And Paralympic Games","text":"That this House recognises the importance of taking a stand against abuses of workers' rights; believes that all who work to make London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games a success should have the right to decent work, living wages, and all provisions of the International Labour Organisation's (ILO) core conventions; appreciates the opportunity the Games present to set an example of ethical trading; welcomes the progress made by the organisers of the Games so far, their statement that suppliers and licensees will be required to comply with the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) base code, and their involvement with the Suppliers Ethical Data Exchange; notes that similar such commitments at previous Olympic Games have not been particularly successful due to a lack of effective monitoring and remediation measures; and consequently urges the Government to use its influence within the Olympic Board to ensure that contractual arrangements are in place that hold all manufacturers of official merchandise, equipment and clothing for the Games to account for the conditions in which they are produced, according to the standards of the ETI base code.","date":"2008-04-02","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35552","proposer":"10208","edm":"1311","session":"2007-08","title":"Targeted Advertising Technology","text":"That this House notes the recent developments in targeted internet advertising, particularly the emergence of the company Phorm; notes with concern the reported technical test conducted by BT last summer, where BT were accused of using Phorm to track customers without their knowledge or prior consent; believes that a system whereby consumers opt-in to Phorm would be far more transparent and appropriate than the opt-out system currently proposed by Phorm; and therefore calls on internet service providers to make Phorm an opt-in service.","date":"2008-04-02","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35562","proposer":"11174","edm":"1323","session":"2007-08","title":"Post Office Closures And Consultation","text":"That this House is aware of the policy of Post Office Counters to close 2,500 post offices and that branches are apparently chosen by reference to published criteria; records that all but a tiny number of consultations result in closure leaving the public and respondents viewing the process as cosmetic and futile; notes that the Select Committee for Business and Enterprise was unable to identify whether national criteria were being adhered to in local closure plans; and calls on the National Audit Office to conduct a full review of the process.","date":"2008-04-02","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35509","proposer":"10785","edm":"1274","session":"2007-08","title":"British Airways And Heathrow Terminal Five","text":"That this House notes that the British Airways website says of Terminal 5: `At London Heathrow Terminal 5 we've created a natural, logical journey that's so calm, you'll flow through. It should only take ten minutes to get from check-in to departures. Transferring and arriving are just as simple and calm. Spend the time you save enjoying the excellent range of shops, cafes and restaurants. Or simply relax and be wowed by the world class architecture.'; further notes that the reality for many travellers using Terminal 5 on 27th March was very different and that yet again British Airways domestic passengers suffered disproportionately in terms of flight cancellations; and calls on British Airways to apologise to all travellers who suffered inconvenience as a result of the inadequate operation of British Airways services at Terminal 5 on 27th March.","date":"2008-03-31","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35510","proposer":"10436","edm":"1275","session":"2007-08","title":"Employment In Ethnic Catering","text":"That this House welcomes the major contributions that Chinese, Indian, Malaysian and other ethnic restaurants, curry houses, takeaways and catering businesses make not only to culinary diversity, interest and excitement but also to the economy and British society in general; is concerned about their increasing difficulties in recruiting chefs and cooks of all kinds which have forced many to employ asylum seekers many of whom are now being dismissed or arrested under the Stop Illegal Working drive; feels that these problems are compounded by the new points-based system which requires unreasonably high English language skills at a level not attainable in the schools of their country of origin and formal qualifications not attainable by those who acquire their cooking skills from experience, often in family businesses; points out that all this has produced real difficulties for ethnic catering, excessive overtime hours, tens of thousands of staff shortages and in several cases closures of these small and medium enterprises; and observes that these problems are all brought out in the research report compiled for the Chinese Immigration Concerns Committee which comes to the conclusion that, if Chinese catering cannot quickly replace its workforce there is a real danger of a meltdown, a problem which also faces other ethnic catering businesses unless they are urgently recognised as an area of skill shortage with rules relaxed accordingly to allow urgent recruitment.","date":"2008-03-31","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35515","proposer":"10177","edm":"1280","session":"2007-08","title":"Access To Affordable Credit","text":"That this House notes that the global credit crunch is now impacting on the ability of UK consumers to obtain access to affordable credit; notes that high cost and irresponsible forms of lending such as pay day lending, which charges in excess of 1,000 per cent. APR and traps people on lower incomes in a cycle of credit dependency, are now expanding rapidly as a result; further notes that Dollar Financial, one such US pay day lender, now has over 200 Moneyshop stores providing these loans in the UK; regards this development as extremely worrying for the Government's ambition to eradicate child poverty; and urges the Treasury, the Department for Business and Regulatory Reform, the Office of Fair Trading and the Financial Services Authority to conduct a joint inquiry into the growth of high cost lending, including pay day loans, in order to inform future regulatory action against irresponsible and high cost lenders and to contribute to the Government's aim of ensuring greater access to affordable credit.","date":"2008-03-31","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35525","proposer":"10231","edm":"1290","session":"2007-08","title":"First Day Of Operation At Heathrow Terminal 5","text":"That this House records that the new Terminal 5 at Heathrow took over 15 years to plan and build and cost \u00c2\u00a34.5 billion and yet on its first day of operation the infrastructure at the airport went into meltdown with massive disruption of flights and huge customer inconvenience and dissatisfaction; notes that the Chief Executive of British Airways has taken full responsibility for the fiasco while making it abundantly clear that he has no intention of resigning despite the damage that has been done to the reputation of private enterprise and the country; and believes that chief executives of public limited companies should be held accountable for their actions and not rewarded for incompetence by clinging on to their jobs.","date":"2008-03-31","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35493","proposer":"11923","edm":"1259","session":"2007-08","title":"Supermarkets And British Meat","text":"That this House notes and is encouraged by Morrisons' decision to source all its beef, poultry, pork and lamb from the UK; recognises that this will have the effect of helping the British farming industry, reducing food miles and improving animal welfare; and calls on other supermarkets to follow suit.","date":"2008-03-26","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35471","proposer":"11245","edm":"1209A1","session":"2007-08","title":"Post Offices In Brent","text":"after `open', insert `notes that the national post office closure programme results from EU regulation and interference in UK's domestic policies'.","date":"2008-03-19","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35472","proposer":"11245","edm":"1221A1","session":"2007-08","title":"Post Office Closures In Ceredigion And Powys","text":"at end insert `notes that the national post office closure programme results from EU regulation and interference in the United Kingdom's domestic policies'.","date":"2008-03-19","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35435","proposer":"11350","edm":"1209","session":"2007-08","title":"Post Offices In Brent","text":"That this House expresses its deep regret at Post Office Ltd's intention to close six post offices in Brent; notes that post offices play a valuable role in local communities by offering a vital lifeline for those most vulnerable; further notes that any closures will mean increased waiting times at those post offices that remain open and that local people will have to travel a lot further to reach their nearest branch; expresses dismay that when Labour came to power Brent had 40 post offices and after the proposed closures it will be left with just 24; applauds the Willesden and Brent Times and the Wembley Observer for their campaigns to keep Brent's post offices open; and calls on the Government actively to seek ways to make post offices thrive in Brent rather than constantly seeking their closure.","date":"2008-03-18","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35445","proposer":"10393","edm":"1219","session":"2007-08","title":"CONSUMERS' REMEDIES AGAINST BIG RETAILERS","text":"That this House calls on the Government to introduce new legislation that enhances consumers' opportunities to obtain swift remedies against big retailers who fail to meet promised dates for deliveries, deliver damaged or faulty goods and contemptuously disregard their customers' inconvenience and loss through their poor service.","date":"2008-03-18","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35447","proposer":"11489","edm":"1221","session":"2007-08","title":"Post Office Closures In Ceredigion And Powys","text":"That this House is dismayed at plans to close 13 of Ceredigion and Powys' 166 post offices, and to remove the post office as a permanent fixture in 24 other communities in the area; notes with concern that these plans will mean the closure of 22 per cent. of permanent post offices in Ceredigion and Powys; recognises the social importance of the post office to rural communities, where the post office is often also the village shop or garage; further notes that over 90 per cent. of people in the area live in rural communities; welcomes the support given by the Government through the Sustainable Communities Act to the principle of allowing local communities to keep their post offices if they so wish; and urges the Government to place a moratorium on post office closures, to allow communities to use the powers in the Sustainable Communities Act and the powers of devolved administrations to minimise those losses and protect the quality of life of the people living in those communities.","date":"2008-03-18","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35351","proposer":"17340","edm":"1131","session":"2007-08","title":"Post Offices In Bexleyheath And Crayford","text":"That this House notes that since 1999, six post offices have been closed in Bexleyheath and Crayford constituency; is dismayed by the proposed closure of Brampton Road Post Office; and calls on Post Office Ltd to listen to local residents and to reconsider its proposals.","date":"2008-03-06","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35352","proposer":"17340","edm":"1132","session":"2007-08","title":"Relocation Of Bexleyheath Post Office","text":"That this House notes with concern that on 12th March, Bexleyheath Post Office will close and relocate to the first floor of WH Smith on 13th March; acknowledges the strong local opposition to these plans especially with regards to accessibility for the disabled and families with young children; and calls on Post Office Ltd and WH Smith to work together to minimise the inconvenience that restricted access could cause for local people.","date":"2008-03-06","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35339","proposer":"10190","edm":"1120","session":"2007-08","title":"Post Offices In Ribble Valley","text":"That this House is dismayed by the proposed closure of post offices across East Lancashire; notes with deep concern that in Ribble Valley branches may close in the villages of Billington, Mellor Brook, Newton-in-Bowland, Samlesbury, Chipping, Bashall Eaves and Bolton-by-Bowland; believes that these post offices play a vital role in the social and economic well-being of rural villages, evidenced by the overwhelming local opposition to their closure; regrets that the elderly, young families and people on low incomes will be hardest hit; and calls on Post Office Ltd to listen to local residents and to reconsider its proposals.","date":"2008-03-05","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35316","proposer":"11651","edm":"1101","session":"2007-08","title":"Post Offices In Ilford North","text":"That this House notes with very grave concern the proposal to close three sub-post offices in Ilford North constituency, namely Fencepiece Road, New North Road and Spurway Parade; recognises the strength of local feeling opposed to these unjustified closure plans, which will tear the heart out of local communities; and calls on Post Office Ltd to reconsider its proposals.","date":"2008-03-04","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35322","proposer":"10185","edm":"1107","session":"2007-08","title":"Tesco And Tax (No. 2)","text":"That this House deplores the actions of Tesco in setting up companies in the Cayman Islands to avoid paying over \u00c2\u00a31 billion of taxes in the UK; believes that if the Government does not take action to deal with this practice it will lead to other companies taking similar measures to avoid paying taxes in order to compete with Tesco; notes that in order to carry out its business from day-to-day Tesco relies on a wide range of public services that are paid for with money raised from UK taxpayers; notes that Tesco's actions will starve British citizens of resources for vital services including the NHS, schools and police; further believes that Tesco has a moral obligation to pay the full amount of taxes due to the UK; and calls on the Government to investigate this matter, ensure that Tesco pays the full amount of tax due to the UK and to take steps to prevent this type of tax avoidance method from being exploited by companies in the future.","date":"2008-03-04","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35332","proposer":"10012","edm":"1050A1","session":"2007-08","title":"Post Offices In Hyndburn","text":"at end, add `, together with the proposal to close the sub post-offices at Sunnyhurst in Darwen and Turton.'.","date":"2008-03-04","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35302","proposer":"10541","edm":"1094","session":"2007-08","title":"Post Office Closures (No. 2)","text":"That this House rejects criticisms of nimbyism against Ministers campaigning against local post office closures; recognises that the problem lies in the shambles of closure decisions announced by Adam Crozier since his move from the Football Association to the Post Office; recognises that there is no coherent case behind many of the decisions; acknowledges that the Government has a role to play in restoring services that can be delivered through post offices (including the collection of pensions); and calls for the Government to order an independent review of the whole closure programme.","date":"2008-03-03","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35303","proposer":"10436","edm":"1095","session":"2007-08","title":"Tesco And Tax","text":"That this House urges the Government to investigate the reported use of tax havens by Tesco plc to avoid up to \u00c2\u00a31 billion of United Kingdom taxes on its property transactions; suggests that such tax avoidance schemes should be closed down by HM Revenue and Customs along with schemes for the avoidance of stamp duty and VAT avoidance on the sale of CDs and DVDs; and recommends that the principle on which tax is based should be that money made in the UK is taxed in the UK because the net effect of such schemes and accountancy fiddles is to erode the tax base and reduce Government revenues for spending on healthcare, education etc., thus forcing Tesco's customers to bear a heavier tax burden because Tesco is not carrying its share, leaving them with less money to spend at Tesco.","date":"2008-03-03","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35281","proposer":"11816","edm":"1080","session":"2007-08","title":"Under-Age Drinking","text":"That this House congratulates ASDA for announcing plans to consider pursuing private prosecutions against under-age people attempting to buy alcohol in its stores; believes that the vast majority of retailers and their staff are doing their very best to prevent under-aged sales; and further believes that more should be done by the police and the Government to prosecute and punish properly the people who are attempting to buy alcohol under-age.","date":"2008-02-28","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35265","proposer":"11923","edm":"1066","session":"2007-08","title":"Post Offices And The Sustainable Communities Act 2007","text":"That this House expresses continuing disappointment at the closure plans of the post office network and is deeply concerned that the closure of post office branches threatens the sustainability of many communities; notes that in autumn 2008 the Sustainable Communities Act 2007 will come into force, at which point local authorities will be asked by central government to identify support required to keep their communities viable; and in the light of this calls on the Government to issue a moratorium on post office closures in order to allow the Sustainable Communities Act 2007 to operate as intended.","date":"2008-02-27","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35270","proposer":"10063","edm":"1071","session":"2007-08","title":"London Post Office Closures","text":"That this House regrets the planned closure of 170 post offices in London; recognises that hundreds of thousands of people will be affected by these closures because they may not be able to travel the extra distance to the next post office; notes that once a branch is closed it is highly unlikely that it will be reopened; is concerned that with the current high rate of population growth in the city, Londoners will be even more disadvantaged in the coming years by this proposal; recognises that whilst one fifth of London's post offices are being closed, the three Crown post offices in the House, all within 100 metres of one another, remain open; and requests that Parliament should not be exempt from the disadvantage of post office closures","date":"2008-02-27","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35272","proposer":"10616","edm":"1073","session":"2007-08","title":"Post Offices In Finchley And Golders Green","text":"That this House notes with concern the proposal to close five sub-post offices in the Finchley and Golders Green constituency, namely Childs Hill, East End Road, High Road, Nether Street and Pennine Parade; further notes that a post office is a vital community facility of great value to many residents, particularly to the elderly, the disabled and for people with young children; congratulates all those constituents who are going to fight these closures; and believes that proposals to close five sub-post offices in one community is a major error on the part of Post Office Ltd.","date":"2008-02-27","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35248","proposer":"10483","edm":"1050","session":"2007-08","title":"Post Offices In Hyndburn","text":"That this House notes with concern the proposal to close five sub-post offices in Hyndburn constituency, namely Longshoot in Haslingden, St Hubert's in Great Harwood, Church, Huncoat and Belthorn; recognises that these post offices are at the heart of their communities and believes it to be wholly wrong for all five to close; congratulates the Lancashire Telegraph on its Save Our Village Post Offices campaign; commends Hyndburn and Rossendale Borough councillors and Lancashire County councillors for being involved in cross-party campaigns to save the post offices; believes that expecting five post offices to close in Hyndburn is too many; and calls for Post Office Ltd to reconsider this proposal as a matter of urgency.","date":"2008-02-26","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35252","proposer":"10600","edm":"1054","session":"2007-08","title":"Post Offices In Wales","text":"That this House regrets the proposed closures of sub-post offices in Wales; believes that sub-post offices provide much needed services which should be expanded; is concerned that the well-being of many people will be harmed if the closures go ahead; and calls on Post Office Ltd to abandon the closure programme and work with interested parties to grow and develop the post office network.","date":"2008-02-26","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35230","proposer":"11345","edm":"1033","session":"2007-08","title":"Shop Fitting Companies","text":"That this House welcomes the growth in refurbishment of shops, public houses and building societies, but notes that generally national chains use a select number of contractors who undertake the work across the UK rather than using locally-based companies; believes that such practices are inefficient and damaging to the environment and deny economically deprived areas of much needed employment; and calls upon the industry to review such practices and to invest more in local contractors and sources.","date":"2008-02-25","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35231","proposer":"11345","edm":"1034","session":"2007-08","title":"Shop Signage","text":"That this House notes the continued growth of national chains of shops, building societies and public houses in Britain's high streets; further notes that these chains generally use corporate shop fronts and signage; believes that such standard formats are driving out individuality in our town centres and creating a homogeneised high street; and calls upon the Government to issue regulations to strengthen the powers of local authorities who wish to insist that shop fronts and signage should reflect the nature and character of the building.","date":"2008-02-25","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35233","proposer":"10269","edm":"1036","session":"2007-08","title":"Post Office Closures In Somerset","text":"That this House deeply regrets the announcement of the intended closure of 30 post offices in the Somerset County Council area, including those serving the villages of Barwick, Bason Bridge, Bayford, Bicknoller, Bower Hinton, Bradford-on-Tone, Croscombe, Dinder, East Coker, Easton, Haselbury Plucknett, Holcombe, Keinton Mandeville, Kingsdon, Kingston St Mary, Mudford, Pylle, Sparkford, Walton, West Buckland, West Monkton, West Quantoxhead and Wookey Hole; further regrets the downgrading of a further seven, serving Brompton Regis, Chartlon Horethorne, Churchinford, Kilve, Lydeard St Lawrence, North Cadbury and Wheddon Cross; further regrets the closure of a further 18 in the historic county of Somerset, including those serving the villages of Barrow Gurney, Bathford, Clandown, East Harptree, Farmborough, Kewstoke, Loxton, Marksbury, Newton St Loe, and Uphill and the closure of post offices in the urban areas of Bath, Glastonbury, Keynsham, Street, Taunton, Wells, Weston-super-Mare and Yeovil; believes these closures to be extremely damaging to the fabric of the county and the well-being of its communities in social, economic and environmental terms; recognises that in many cases such closures will risk or precipitate the closure of village shops; further regrets that this closure programme continues a process or erosion of the post office network over many years; and urges the Post Office and Her Majesty's Government to critically re-examine the current proposals and reconsider.","date":"2008-02-25","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35192","proposer":"11312","edm":"994","session":"2007-08","title":"Competition In The Energy Market","text":"That this House notes with concern the massive profits being announced by energy companies weeks after they have imposed very substantial price rises on consumers; believes that the option of switching suppliers is not available to many consumers, especially those who are suffering most from rising prices; further believes that there is an urgent need for an investigation into the operation of the energy market and, in particular, whether there are any anti-competitive practices amongst the big six energy companies; and urges the Government to instruct the competition authorities to launch an investigation into the energy market.","date":"2008-02-21","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35193","proposer":"11312","edm":"995","session":"2007-08","title":"Competition In The Energy Market (No. 2)","text":"That this House is concerned about reports that EDF of France and E.On of Germany are leading consortia attempting to take over Iberdrola of Spain, the parent company of Scottish Power; believes that any such takeover would lead to even less competition within the UK energy market and goes against efforts by the European Commission to liberalise the EU energy market; believes that there are already concerns about the dominance of the big six energy companies in the UK market; and calls upon the UK Government to make clear that no further concentration will be allowed.","date":"2008-02-21","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35195","proposer":"10190","edm":"997","session":"2007-08","title":"Post Office Closures","text":"That this House regrets the proposal to close up to 2,500 post offices; recognises the seminal role post offices play in local communities; notes the unpopularity amongst the general public of closing such a large portion of the network; has concerns that the access criteria laid down for the closures consultation do not adequately take into account local geographical factors and public transport networks; is concerned that the consultation period is only scheduled to last for six weeks rather than three months; and believes that options for business expansion which may have helped individual post offices to remain open should be explored further.","date":"2008-02-21","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35205","proposer":"11345","edm":"1007","session":"2007-08","title":"Supermarket Off Sales","text":"That this House notes the growth in alcoholic off sales through supermarkets; further notes that young people either shop on their own or with friends or families in supermarkets and that many under-age drinkers acquire alcohol from supermarkets either by purchasing it or stealing it; and believes that such sales or thefts would be reduced if all alcohol were for sale in a licensed designated gated zone.","date":"2008-02-21","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35206","proposer":"11345","edm":"1008","session":"2007-08","title":"Discounted Off Sales Promotions","text":"That this House notes the report of the British Medical Association on alcohol abuse and the role that cheap drink promotions play in fuelling this abuse; and calls upon the Government to bring forward legislation to end all off sales promotions based on discounted price.","date":"2008-02-21","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35169","proposer":"11672","edm":"974","session":"2007-08","title":"Community Pubs Week And The Need To Support And Preserve Pubs And Pub Culture","text":"That this House supports the Campaign for Real Ale's Community Pubs Week from 16th to 23rd February 2008; believes that community pubs play a hugely important function in the communities they serve; further believes that community pubs, as places to meet others in the community, provide an environment in which people can and do enjoy alcohol responsibly and therefore have a very important role in producing an appropriate culture for people to drink in, indeed that if there were more emphasis on this genuine pub culture, there would not be many of the problems associated with excessive drinking; further believes that community pubs, whether in urban, suburban or rural areas, are part of the heritage of the United Kingdom and must be preserved; notes with concern and regret that 56 community pubs a month are closing and that action must be taken to address this, including addressing the issue of some pub companies charging unreasonable rents; and believes that legislation should be introduced to make it much more difficult to close pubs against the wishes of local communities and to end the right to demolish or convert pubs without planning permission.","date":"2008-02-20","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35178","proposer":"11592","edm":"983","session":"2007-08","title":"Cost Of Drinks And Confectionery In Cinemas","text":"That this House deplores the extortionate costs of confectionery and drinks at many cinemas; condemns cinemas which remove customers for attempting to consume confectionery and drinks purchased outside; dismisses the notion that reducing prices of confectionery and drinks would automatically increase ticket prices; urges the Office of Fair Trading to investigate the high cost of confectionery and drinks in cinemas; and further supports a fairer deal for the public which would increase the number of visitors to cinemas and encourage wider support for the UK film industry.","date":"2008-02-20","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35181","proposer":"11923","edm":"986","session":"2007-08","title":"UK Dairy Industry","text":"That this House notes and is saddened by the reduction in the number of UK dairy farms; notes that the quota price of milk has crashed from about 32 pence per litre in 1988 to about 1 pence per litre in 2008; recognises the role played in this by major supermarket chains in pushing down the price of dairy products with little regard for the need to get a fair price for farmers; and calls upon the Government to act to protect farms of all kinds to ensure security of food supply.","date":"2008-02-20","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35182","proposer":"11345","edm":"987","session":"2007-08","title":"Tandoori And Curry Chefs","text":"That this House notes the concern of Asian restaurateurs that new immigration regulations are causing a shortage of tandoori and curry chefs; further notes that this shortage is threatening the viability of many restaurants that have contributed both financially and culturally to the UK; and calls on the Government to review the regulations, such as the need to speak good English before arrival, so as to ensure an adequate supply of temporary work visas for tandoori and curry chefs.","date":"2008-02-20","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35147","proposer":"10616","edm":"954","session":"2007-08","title":"Chicken Welfare","text":"That this House welcomes Jamie Oliver's expos\u00c3\u00a9 on Channel 4 of the gassing of unwanted male chicks with carbon dioxide, which induces gasping for breath; understands that this practice is common across battery, barn and free range egg systems; seeks the abolition of this practice as a matter of humanity; further deplores Tesco's decision to offer \u00c2\u00a31.99 chickens, coming soon after Sainsbury's and the Co-op have promised to raise their minimum chicken welfare standards; and congratulates Marks and Spencer on its market-leading standards for farm animal welfare, recognised by Compassion in World Farming.","date":"2008-02-19","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35165","proposer":"10001","edm":"972","session":"2007-08","title":"Accountants, Audit And Conflict Of Interest","text":"That this House notes that PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) was Northern Rock's auditor and also provided it with a range of consultancy services; further notes that PWC earned \u00c2\u00a31.3 million for non-audit work but only \u00c2\u00a3500,000 for the audit; further notes that at no point did PWC indicate any problem with Northern Rock's business model; believes that if an accountancy firm is making more money from consulting for a particular firm than from auditing it then there is a clear conflict of interest; further notes that this is not the first time that the audit of a financial institution has given no hint of systemic financial problems; and therefore calls on the Government to take steps to end this long-standing conflict of interest issue in order that the public may have confidence in the audit process.","date":"2008-02-19","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35122","proposer":"10521","edm":"941","session":"2007-08","title":"Unregulated Car Wash Sites","text":"That this House recognises the important role that the car wash industry plays in the UK, contributing more than \u00c2\u00a3819 million to the economy and investing in efficient and environmentally friendly equipment; is concerned that this success is threatened by the growth of hand car wash operators who operate outside regulation, in particular the planning and environmental legislation put in place to protect water quality and to prevent pollution of ground and surface water; and calls on the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Department for Communities and Local Government, the Environment Agency and local authorities to take action to deal with illegal practices arising from unregulated car washes.","date":"2008-02-18","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35132","proposer":"10428","edm":"951","session":"2007-08","title":"Low Price Alcohol","text":"That this House shares concerns about the sale of low priced alcohol in the UK's off trade; notes that high alcohol cider, which at present represents the cheapest source of consumer alcoholic product for sale in Britain's shops and supermarkets, carries an excise duty of only 15 pence per pint compared to the 58 pence levied on beers of comparable strength; and calls upon the Government to do more to dissuade consumers and suppliers alike away from the culture of cheap booze purchasing, whilst at the same time addressing the anomaly of duty rates between cider and beer in a future budget.","date":"2008-02-18","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35077","proposer":"10383","edm":"901","session":"2007-08","title":"Assaults On Transport Workers","text":"That this House applauds the vital work of Britain's transport workers who, as essential public servants, deserve to be treated with dignity and respect; believes there is a clear responsibility on the Government together with employers in the rail, ferry and bus industries to take all the necessary steps to prevent staff assaults and provide care for those who are assaulted; further believes that reducing staff assaults will help reduce anti-social behaviour and provide a safer environment for transport users; therefore supports the aims of the campaign of the Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers Union which seeks firstly to raise awareness with employers and the public, secondly to secure the strongest possible legal protection for transport workers against assault, thirdly to establish effective cross company forums in each of the rail, bus and ferry industries and finally to persuade transport employers to adopt best practice when developing policies to prevent staff assaults and provide care for those who are victims of assault.","date":"2008-02-06","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35080","proposer":"10295","edm":"904","session":"2007-08","title":"Post Office Christmas Club (No. 2)","text":"That this House welcomes the launch of a new Christmas Club by Post Office Ltd in the wake of the Farepak collapse; believes that the product offers a secure and convenient way to save for Christmas 2008 and will fill a gap identified by HM Treasury's Review of Christmas Savings Schemes conducted by Brian Pomeroy, Chairman of the Financial Inclusion Taskforce; further welcomes the fact that funds deposited in the Post Office Christmas Club will be governed by strict e-money regulations and locked away in a protected account until November 2008; notes that Christmas Club members will be able to benefit from further rewards as the Post Office negotiates discounts and bonuses with retailers; and recognises that the Post Office as one of the UK's most trusted brands with the largest network is the ideal institution to launch such a product.","date":"2008-02-06","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35082","proposer":"10185","edm":"906","session":"2007-08","title":"Thomson Holidays And Mr Terry Malone","text":"That this House is concerned that Thomson Holidays took \u00c2\u00a3707 from the bank account of Mr Terry Malone on 27th January 2008 for a holiday that he attempted to book over the internet; is further concerned that at the time the money was taken Thomson Holiday's website indicated to Mr Malone that it was not possible for them to accept the booking and invited him to try again later; notes he was given no warning that the money had been removed from his account; is alarmed that Mr Malone has been unable to get his money back despite calling Thomson Holidays every day since 28th January and that its removal has left him unable to book a holiday; is further concerned that other unsuspecting customers may suffer in the same way and that this could cause them to incur bank charges if they are left unaware that money is missing from their accounts; and calls on Thomson Holidays to compensate Mr Malone and any other customers that they have caused distress to in this way and to take steps to stop this practice forthwith.","date":"2008-02-06","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"35054","proposer":"11863","edm":"878","session":"2007-08","title":"Under 18 Year Olds Using Unsupervised Sunbed Salons","text":"That this House expresses concern that under 18 year olds are able to easily access unsupervised sunbed salons; notes that unsupervised sunbed salons have no staff to prevent under 18 year olds using sunbeds; notes that both the World Health Organisation and the European Union have expressed the view that under 18 year olds should not use sunbeds; notes that sunbed use when young is associated with an increased risk of skin cancer; further notes with alarm the increase in incidence rates of malignant melanoma over the last 20 years; recognises the commitment in the Cancer Reform Strategy to review options for addressing sunbed consumer safety; and calls on the Government to prohibit use of sunbeds by under 18 year olds, provide evidence-based health information in sunbed salons and prohibit unsupervised sunbed salons.","date":"2008-02-05","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"34878","proposer":"11784","edm":"721","session":"2007-08","title":"Disabled Parking At Supermarkets","text":"That this House recognises that parents of young children and disabled people gain tremendous benefit from more generously sized parking bays; disapproves of the selfish use of these special parking bays by people who do not need them; congratulates ASDA on its plans to charge drivers parking at its stores if they wrongly park in a space reserved for parents with young children or disabled people; welcomes the fact that all profits generated from the charges will go to baby charity Tommy's and Motability, the national disability charity providing the leading car scheme for disabled people; further notes that the trial in North West England saw the number of available parking spots in the disabled and parent section rise by up to 60 per cent.; encourages other supermarkets to follow suit; and suggests that supermarkets consider making parking bays in future developments larger to benefit all their customers.","date":"2008-01-17","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"34782","proposer":"10521","edm":"629","session":"2007-08","title":"Shop Local Campaign","text":"That this House congratulates the East Anglian Daily Times on its Shop Local Campaign; notes that it has already attracted the support of more than 150 shops and other businesses representing a wide cross-section of traders in Essex and Suffolk; welcomes the promotion of the importance of local growers, producers, retailers and other businesses to the well-being of the local economy, and for their survival and prosperity in the face of the growing dominance of national companies and with it the creeping advance of clone town Britain with the loss of distinctive local identities; recognises that if local businesses are successful, then local economies thrive, creating the conditions to nurture more new businesses and create more jobs; urges other communities across the country to establish their own campaigns using the shop local concept promoted by the East Anglian Daily Times; and calls on the Government to introduce measures which support and stimulate local businesses and the interests of local economies.","date":"2008-01-07","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"34775","proposer":"11324","edm":"622","session":"2007-08","title":"Fair Trade For British Farming","text":"That this House congratulates the Farmers' Guardian, Country Living Magazine and Waitrose on their successful campaign, Fair Trade for British Farming, and for the efforts of the campaign to promote a fair and sustainable price for the high quality food produced by British farmers; notes that most British consumers wrongly believe that the principles of fair trade are applied to British agriculture; acknowledges that over the last 10 years British farmers' income has fallen whilst that of major retailers has increased; recognises the important contribution British farming makes to the food supply, protecting the countryside, rural employment and combating climate change; further notes the recent Office of Fair Trading probe that uncovered price fixing by supermarkets; and calls on the Government to ensure that the Supermarket Code has real teeth and that a supermarket ombudsman is introduced.","date":"2007-12-18","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"34706","proposer":"10780","edm":"563","session":"2007-08","title":"Local Booksellers","text":"That this House notes the continuing decline throughout the UK in the numbers of independently-owned book retailers; and is concerned for future generations, who, unless urgent action is taken by government, increasingly will be faced with only best selling titles being stocked by supermarkets and multiple stores, resulting in a substantial loss of quality local publications being made available to the reading public.","date":"2007-12-12","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"34710","proposer":"10371","edm":"567","session":"2007-08","title":"Post Office Closures In Adur And Worthing","text":"That this House notes the proposals to close no fewer than nine sub-post office branches in Adur and Worthing representing some 50 per cent. of the sub-post offices in East Worthing and Shoreham constituency alone, against the national average for closure of 18 per cent. of branches; further notes that virtually the whole of Sompting and Lancing, England's largest village, will be expected to rely on one remaining Crown office to serve a population of over 29,000; highlights the disproportionate effect on the high local pensioner population and areas of deprivation in particular and the unsustainable demands that are already being placed on the surviving branches; regrets the impact this will have on carbon emissions with a survey from one Lancing sub-post office alone calculating that the effect of passengers driving to alternative locations will be to generate 25 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions a year requiring the planting of 31 acres of woodland to offset; and calls on the Post Office to acknowledge the very strong levels of local opposition to these proposals and to reconsider the criteria by which they have selected these particular branches for closure in such vulnerable circumstances.","date":"2007-12-12","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"34712","proposer":"10077","edm":"569","session":"2007-08","title":"Hilton Hotels And Agency Labour","text":"That this House welcomes the pledge by Hilton Hotels to cease using employment agencies, thereby improving basic pay and conditions for workers in its hotel chain; congratulates the Citizens Organising Foundation for its role in negotiating the pledge and monitoring its implementation; deplores the actions of the Government in blocking EU legislation which would grant basic employment rights to temporary and agency workers; and calls upon the Government to reconsider this approach and to begin consulting on and enacting domestic legislation to protect the most vulnerable workers in the UK labour market.","date":"2007-12-12","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"34691","proposer":"10045","edm":"550","session":"2007-08","title":"Out Of Town Shopping Centres","text":"That this House is concerned by proposals from the Competition Commission in its Provisional Findings report to weaken planning policy and planning policy statements in relation to town centres to allow for more supermarkets to be built on the edge of towns and in out of town locations; notes that the majority of supermarkets are already being built in out of town centres; notes that many independent smaller shops are closing each year and reducing people's choice of where to shop; believes that a weakening of policy in this way would allow all types of retail to locate out of town leading to an increase in car-based shopping and related climate change emissions; further believes that there will be a disproportionate effect on households without cars if more local shops are lost; and calls on the Government to retain key existing tests such as need, accessibility and scale and to strengthen, rather than weaken, planning policy for town centres by also introducing a presumption against out of town retail development and new tests for diversity, local economic impact and carbon emissions.","date":"2007-12-11","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"34660","proposer":"11589","edm":"520","session":"2007-08","title":"Supermarkets And Alcoholic Loss Leaders","text":"That this House notes the Competition Authority's Groceries Market Provisional Findings report and the surprising finding that loss leaders are not directed at or detrimental to smaller retailers; recalls that its previous Emerging Findings report had stated that alcohol was one of two main product groups in which supermarkets engage in below cost selling; expresses surprise that the British Retail Consortium holds there is no evidence to link pricing and binge drinking; agrees with the Royal College of Physicians that the two major factors affecting alcohol consumption are price and availability; is concerned at the Chief Medical Officer's finding that annual mortality rates from chronic liver disease rose by 466 per cent. from 1970 to 2000; further notes the British Retail Consortium's claim that less than one per cent. of all supermarket purchases are of alcohol alone; believes below-cost alcohol selling increases consumption amongst vulnerable drinkers and young people; urges supermarkets to agree a code of practice to require a minimum non-alcohol shop spend in order to purchase discounted alcohol; calls upon the Secretaries of State for Health and for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, with relevant bodies, to encourage such agreement and to keep its effectiveness under review; welcomes the commitment by the Prime Minister on 28th November that government will bring forward a paper on issues around alcohol selling; and is minded to support legislation to end stand-alone alcohol sales by supermarkets should that sector not adopt effective restraining measures.","date":"2007-12-10","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"34628","proposer":"11245","edm":"495","session":"2007-08","title":"Closure Of Post Offices In Essex","text":"That this House notes with concern the announcement of the planned closure of many more post offices in Essex; believes that post offices offer a vital service to the community; further believes that the closures are likely to have a particularly negative impact on elderly and disabled members of the community and that these closures could result in the degradation of the local communities; and calls on the Government to boost, rather than close, post offices by reversing the cuts in public business carried out in post offices.","date":"2007-12-06","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"34610","proposer":"10208","edm":"477","session":"2007-08","title":"Child Labour And The 2012 Olympic And Paralympic Games","text":"That this House recognises the importance of making a stand against child labour; appreciates the opportunity the Olympics presents to send a firm message against its use; notes that previous attempts to ensure that the supply chains of Olympic merchandise are ethically sourced have not been particularly effective; and consequently urges the Government to ensure that all official merchandise, equipment and clothing produced for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games are sourced from producers that adhere to the International Labour Organisation Convention 182 and Recommendation 190, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.","date":"2007-12-05","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"34618","proposer":"10383","edm":"485","session":"2007-08","title":"London Living Wage For London Underground Cleaners","text":"That this House welcomes the fact that London Underground cleaners working for contractors Metronet are to be in receipt of the London Living Wage when the Mayor's transport authority, Transport for London, takes over Metronet's contracts; congratulates the Mayor of London for introducing the London Living Wage and the Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers Union for its continued campaign for a fair deal for rail cleaners; and urges the hugely profitable Tube Lines not to be a scrooge and to ensure its contractors also pay their cleaners the London Living Wage.","date":"2007-12-05","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"34591","proposer":"11581","edm":"458","session":"2007-08","title":"HER MAJESTY'S REVENUE AND CUSTOMS","text":"That this House notes with serious concern the continuing threat to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) offices and jobs in Cornwall; believes that closure of HMRC offices will have an adverse impact on local communities and vulnerable individuals; notes the efforts of HMRC staff to reduce fraud in the tax system; believes that reducing staff numbers will cause more fraud to go undetected, proving the reduction to be a false economy; further notes the loss of 25 million people's personal data; condemns the Government for describing massive systemic failure as junior official error; believes that the recent data loss crisis will result in an increase in child benefit enquiries, as well as additional security checks; further believes that, given this latest incident, it is entirely inappropriate for the Government to put more pressure on staff by continuing with job cuts and office closures; and calls upon the Government to reassess and reconsider its proposals in this light.","date":"2007-12-04","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"34597","proposer":"11869","edm":"464","session":"2007-08","title":"Freedom From Fear Campaign","text":"That this House expresses concern at figures released by the British Retail Consortium's (BRC) annual crime survey which show a 50 per cent. increase in violence against shop workers and an increase of 18 per cent. in the number of incidents per 100 stores; draws attention to the fact that in 2006 there were also over 10,000 physical attacks on shop workers and 62,000 reported incidents of verbal abuse; acknowledges the adverse effect this has on retailers, staff, customers and the wider community; recognises the right of shop workers to be able to go to work without the fear of violence and abuse; supports the BRC and USDAW's Freedom from Fear campaign, which seeks to build on the work of Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships by bringing together retailers, shop workers, councils and police to work together to rid our shops and shopping areas of this criminal and anti-social behaviour; and congratulates the campaign for raising awareness of this disturbing problem, promoting respect for shop workers and improving safety in retail workplaces for the benefit of all.","date":"2007-12-04","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"34590","proposer":"11032","edm":"457","session":"2007-08","title":"Eastern Daily Press Shop Here Campaign","text":"That this House supports the Eastern Daily Press Shop Here campaign; recognises the aim of retaining local shops and post offices, particularly in rural areas; recognises the importance of local businesses in terms of sustainability, the vitality of the local economy and retaining diversity; recognises the very real threat to local shops due to the power of supermarkets and other multiple stores; applauds the passing of the Sustainable Communities Act 2007, with all-party support; and calls on the Government to ensure that policy development supports the objectives of this campaign.","date":"2007-12-03","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"34538","proposer":"10684","edm":"416","session":"2007-08","title":"Mobile Termination Rates","text":"That this House believes that mobile consumers in the UK face unnecessarily high call costs and receive complicated price plans which often discourage use; notes that mobile network operators charge each other substantial wholesale prices called Mobile Termination Rates (MTRs); believes the current system therefore hinders competition and stifles innovation; welcomes the fact that one UK mobile operator, 3, has publicly stated its willingness to cease charging MTRs; and calls on all other mobile operators to do likewise and create an MTR-free zone between mobile operators for the benefit of all UK consumers.","date":"2007-11-28","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"34539","proposer":"11971","edm":"417","session":"2007-08","title":"Bogus Clothing Collection Companies","text":"That this House condemns the practice of bogus clothing collection companies that use misleading leaflets to solicit clothing donations under the pretence of benevolent purposes but sell the clothes for financial gain; further condemns the theft of charitable donations from doorsteps by organised criminal gangs in connection with these bogus companies; notes with concern the losses to the charitable sector of \u00c2\u00a33 million per year as estimated by the Association of Charity Shops caused by these actions; and calls for steps to be taken to raise public awareness of these activities, stronger action to prevent bogus companies operating outside the law and further steps to help the police tackle donation theft, particularly concerning the rules on ownership of charitable donations.","date":"2007-11-28","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"34518","proposer":"10208","edm":"396","session":"2007-08","title":"Take Tourism Seriously Campaign And The Olympic Games","text":"That this House supports the Tourism Alliance in its Take Tourism Seriously campaign; notes that tourism is worth \u00c2\u00a385 billion to the UK economy; further notes that tourism is one of the UK's largest industries, employing over two million people; expresses great concern that the Government has cut funding for VisitBritain over the last decade and most recently by \u00c2\u00a39 million over the next three years; believes that this is part of a larger picture of the downgrading of tourism's importance to national policy; and urges the Government not to squander the opportunities provided by the 2012 Olympic Games to leave behind a strong tourism legacy for the UK.","date":"2007-11-27","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"34528","proposer":"10624","edm":"406","session":"2007-08","title":"Post Office Closures In Eastbourne","text":"That this House calls on Post Office Ltd to reconsider the proposed closure of the Willingdon Village, Wannock, Marine Parade, Broadway and Etchingham Road post offices used by residents in Eastbourne constituency; recognises that post offices are a vital part of the local communities which they serve and that such closures cause disproportionate hardship to older members of these communities; and further recognises that such closures would cause inconvenience and difficulties to all those who regularly use these post offices.","date":"2007-11-27","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"34530","proposer":"10641","edm":"408","session":"2007-08","title":"Closure Of Post Offices In Harrogate And Knaresborough","text":"That this House notes with concern and astonishment the announcement of the planned closure of the Cold Bath Road, High Harrogate, Leeds Road and Stockwell Knaresborough branches of the Post Office in Harrogate and Knaresborough; believes that post offices offer a vital service to the community; further believes that the closures are likely to have a particularly negative impact on elderly and disabled members of the community who rely on the Post Office for a range of vital services and that these closures could result in the degradation of the local communities; and is deeply disturbed that the promises made by the Post Office during the 2003-04 closure programme appear to have been abandoned.","date":"2007-11-27","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"34510","proposer":"10521","edm":"389","session":"2007-08","title":"Best Department Store Of The Year Award 2007 And Independent Retail Shops","text":"That this House congratulates Williams and Griffin department store, Colchester, on winning the title of best department store of the year in the Drapers Awards for 2007; notes that in the process it beat stores such as Harrods and John Lewis; further notes that this follows an earlier success in 2005 when Williams and Griffin won the award for being the best independent store in the UK; pays tribute to all independent stores which, in an era of growing dominance by chains of national retail establishments with no association with, nor commitment to, local communities, strive to provide a distinctive local retail identity; and calls on the Government to investigate what action can be taken, in the planning process and in other ways, to encourage localised diversity as epitomised by Williams and Griffin department store and prevent the uniformity of clone town Britain.","date":"2007-11-26","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"34485","proposer":"11675","edm":"365","session":"2007-08","title":"Post Office Closures In Leicester South","text":"That this House calls on Post Office Ltd to reconsider the proposed closure of the Francis Street and Walnut Street post offices in Leicester South constituency; recognises that local post offices are an important part of the community; and believes that such closures will cause significant inconvenience and problems for those who rely on local post offices to access important services.","date":"2007-11-22","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"34493","proposer":"10074","edm":"373","session":"2007-08","title":"Charity Christmas Cards","text":"That this House notes the recent Which? and Charities Advisory Trust report on charity Christmas cards which determined in a survey of all the main high street shops offering charity Christmas cards that on average less than 10 per cent. of the purchase price is actually donated to the designated charity with some shops offering as little as 4 per cent.; believes that after expenses and deductions, at least 10 per cent. should be donated to charity in order to be labelled a charity card; therefore calls on the Government to work with the retail industry in drawing up a code of practice for the labelling of charity Christmas cards; and urges retailers not to exploit the public and charities during the season of goodwill.","date":"2007-11-22","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"34457","proposer":"10614","edm":"337","session":"2007-08","title":"Closure Of Post Offices In Leicester","text":"That this House notes with concern the announcement of the planned closure of the Willow Brook Road and Gipsy Lane branches of the post office in Leicester; believes that post offices offer a vital service to the community; and further believes that the closures are likely to have a particularly negative impact on elderly and disabled members of the community and that these closures could result in the degradation of the local communities.","date":"2007-11-21","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"34465","proposer":"10222","edm":"345","session":"2007-08","title":"Supermarket Power","text":"That this House welcomes the provisional conclusion of the Competition Commission's Groceries Market Inquiry that the way some supermarkets treat their suppliers transfers unexpected costs and excessive risk which is likely to affect their ability to invest and innovate and which could harm product quality, innovation and ultimately choice for consumers; but is concerned that the Competition Commission proposes a further weakening of appropriate planning controls on out-of-town supermarket developments; notes, in spite of perpetual inquiries into this sector by the competition authorities over the past decade, the oligopolistic nature of the grocery retail market whereby four big supermarkets run 80 per cent. of the trade and that, at the present rate of change, this will result in fewer, perhaps two or three, having more than 90 per cent. of trade within a decade; is aware that suppliers like British farmer co-operatives often face short-notice alterations to the usually unwritten contractual terms whereby they have to fund promotionals, pay for shelf space, meet excessive costs of supermarkets' favoured packaging, haulage, complaints, underwrite the supermarkets' margins and face late payment of bills amongst other practices; and calls upon the Government to support the Competition Commission's finding in respect of suppliers and to assist in the drawing up of a new supermarket code of practice backed by a rigorous and proactive inspection regime to give suppliers and consumers the reasonable protection and reassurance they both need and deserve.","date":"2007-11-21","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"34472","proposer":"10421","edm":"352","session":"2007-08","title":"John Lewis Partnership Board","text":"That this House deplores the actions of the John Lewis Partnership Board in selling off the Stead McAlpin and J.H. Birtwistle divisions of the company in clear contradiction of the principles of co-ownership; condemns the shabby way they have consistently refused to hold meaningful consultation with the partners in the two factories concerned; and supports the actions of the workforce in issuing a warning to the other 68,000 staff of the John Lewis Partnership that in reality they are not co-owners or partners in the company, but essentially employees whose jobs can be sold to the highest bidder.","date":"2007-11-21","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"34477","proposer":"10304","edm":"357","session":"2007-08","title":"Channel Islands And Natural Health Products","text":"That this House welcomes the sympathetic consideration given by Ministers to representations made by right hon. and hon. Members on behalf of the natural health products industry about problems with unfair and illegal competition from the Channel Islands; particularly welcomes the Government's considered view that the nutrition and health claim regulation, the food supplements directive and the medicines directive do apply to the Channel Islands under Protocol 3 of the Treaty of Accession; remains concerned that businesses from the Channel Islands continue to market directly to the United Kingdom mainland products which contain illegal ingredients or which are promoted using illegal claims thus jeopardising consumer safety; notes that in some cases such products also benefit from low value consignment relief and avoid liability for value added tax, seriously undermining the competitiveness of responsible UK suppliers; encourages Ministers to remain actively engaged in addressing these issues; and calls upon the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, the Food Standards Agency, Royal Mail, the Advertising Standards Authority, the Direct Marketing Association and trading standards officers to take urgent enforcement action and to continue to engage with the authorities in the Channel Islands to secure the effective implementation of the legislation without further delay.","date":"2007-11-21","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"34434","proposer":"10713","edm":"316","session":"2007-08","title":"Carbon Emissions And The Travel Buying Industry","text":"That this House welcomes the ICARUS environmental accreditation scheme to achieve absolute reductions in carbon dioxide emissions throughout the travel buying industry; acknowledges its ambitious targets to reduce the carbon output of the travel buying sector by at least 60 per cent. by 2050, in line with the provisions of the Climate Change Bill; recognises the importance of the cut, reduce, offset framework to prioritise cutting unnecessary travel, reducing emissions by switching to greener travel alternatives and only offsetting carbon emissions as a last resort; and congratulates the responsible leadership of the Institute of Travel Management in helping to reduce the carbon emissions of the UK's travel buying sector.","date":"2007-11-20","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"34444","proposer":"10141","edm":"326","session":"2007-08","title":"Post Office Christmas Club","text":"That this House welcomes the launch of the Post Office Christmas Club for 2008; notes that the Post Office is one of the UK's most trusted brands; and believes that the Christmas saving scheme will offer a secure, reliable and convenient way for customers to save whilst supporting and benefiting their local post offices.","date":"2007-11-20","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"34400","proposer":"11742","edm":"289","session":"2007-08","title":"Independent Retail Shops","text":"That this House notes with concern the decrease in the number of independent shops in town high streets; calls for the reinvigoration of the diversity and character of those high streets; further calls for well thought-out parking policies, coupled with sensible administration of those policies to help regenerate towns; recognises that crime against business makes up 20 per cent. of recorded crime and needs further addressing; further recognises the need to ensure that small businesses are helped to compete fairly with larger more established stores; and urges local authorities and central government to help in that objective.","date":"2007-11-15","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"34290","proposer":"11971","edm":"188","session":"2007-08","title":"Packaging Waste","text":"That this House notes with concern the excessive levels of packaging used by manufacturers and retailers, accounting for around five million tonnes of household waste and costing families an average of \u00c2\u00a3470 per year; commends the numerous campaigns against excessive packaging including those run by the Women's Institute and The Independent newspaper; urges supermarkets and manufacturers to reduce excess packaging, recycle packaging waste and encourage the re-use of plastic carrier bags; and calls on the Government to take stronger action to curb excess packaging.","date":"2007-11-12","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"34291","proposer":"11963","edm":"189","session":"2007-08","title":"Farepak","text":"That this House notes that over a year has passed since the Christmas saving company Farepak collapsed; further notes that the collapse forced many families into the arms of debt lenders who charge extortionate rates of interest; believes that the victims of Farepak are entitled to justice and that those responsible for the Farepak collapse should be held accountable for their actions; notes that many of the innocent victims of the Farepak collapse have not received any compensation; believes that compensation must now be made available; and calls on the Government to introduce legislation to ensure that a Farepak-style collapse cannot happen again and for the Government to publish the report into the collapse of Farepak.","date":"2007-11-12","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"34299","proposer":"10231","edm":"197","session":"2007-08","title":"Dial A Mobile Airtime Providers","text":"That this House views with the gravest concern the behaviour of airtime providers in seeking to enforce, in full, the terms of contracts taken out by customers following the collapse of Dial a Mobile trading as Mobile Connections; notes the increasing reports of the listing of former customers as debtors and subsequent pursuit through debt collection agencies leading to negative credit references; further notes the complete absence of any regulatory protection for customers, which continues to allow airtime providers to be complicit in the sale of expensive contracts through third parties offering cash-back deals yet still to demand full payment in the event of administration; and calls on the Secretary of State as a matter of urgency to call a meeting of Ofcom, the industry regulator and the airtime companies to negotiate early release for customers who are being pursued in this manner and suffering genuine financial hardship.","date":"2007-11-12","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"34300","proposer":"10231","edm":"198","session":"2007-08","title":"Dial A Mobile Group Plc","text":"That this House views with the gravest concern the current financial situation faced by many customers of Dial a Mobile Group PLC, formerly Mobile Connections, following the closure of its Birmingham retail shop; notes that the absence of the agreed cash-back discounts from Dial a Mobile now leaves many people facing the prospect of paying the full monthly contract fee to their airtime provider and added financial hardship; further notes that the practice of offering attactive cash-back offers on expensive airtime contracts continues with the tacit approval of the airtime providers and that Dial a Mobile is not the first such company to leave customers in financial difficulties; commends Birmingham Trading Standards for its early intervention in this matter and prompt action; and calls on the Secretary of State as a matter of urgency to launch an investigation and to convene a meeting of airtime service providers and Ofcom, the telecommunications regulator, with a view to strengthening the regulatory framework and releasing affected customers from existing contracts.","date":"2007-11-12","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"34206","proposer":"11312","edm":"116","session":"2007-08","title":"Royal Mail Zonal Pricing","text":"That this House notes the proposals put forward by Royal Mail to introduce a system of zonal pricing for mail delivery; believes that such a system strikes at the heart of the Universal Service Obligation (USO); further notes that Postcomm is minded to refuse the application and congratulates it on this stand; notes, however, that the Royal Mail may re-apply for the introduction of such a system; and calls upon the Government to reiterate its support for the USO and to rule out the introduction of zonal pricing in the future.","date":"2007-11-07","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"34104","proposer":"10470","edm":"14","session":"2007-08","title":"Horse Riding Establishments And Insurance","text":"That this House recognises the importance of the equine industry; notes with concern that horse-riding establishments continue to encounter difficulty with insurance claims following accidents and in obtaining insurance cover generally following the House of Lords interpretation of the Animals Act 1971 in the case of Mirvahedy v Henley [2003] 2 AII ER 401; further notes that this decision has limited the availability of insurance and increased the cost, adversely affecting the commercial viability of the equine sector; applauds the campaign initiated in 2005 by the Country Land and Business Association to have the Animals Act amended; and urges the Government to resolve this issue as soon as possible.","date":"2007-11-06","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"34115","proposer":"11318","edm":"25","session":"2007-08","title":"Sustainable Fish Sourcing And Supermarkets","text":"That this House applauds the work that the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) and Marine Stewardship Council undertake to assist consumers in making informed choices about the seafood they buy and whether it comes from sustainably managed sources; notes the importance of effective and honest labelling; congratulates the efforts that Waitrose and Marks and Spencer have undertaken to source sustainably and their subsequent position at the top of the MCS's Sustainable Supermarket League Table 2007; further notes that supermarkets account for between 80 per cent. and 90 per cent. of fresh fish and shellfish sales; and calls upon retailers to act responsibly and source seafood products from sustainable fisheries.","date":"2007-11-06","status":"c"},{"topic":"Service industries","id":"34139","proposer":"10527","edm":"49","session":"2007-08","title":"Christian Holy Days And Commercial Activities","text":"That this House notes that neither Good Friday nor Christmas Day are included in the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971 on the grounds that they are traditional days of rest and worship; further notes that the restrictions under the Sunday Trading Act 1994 do not apply to either of these important days in the Christian calendar; recognises that competitive pressures find many Christians in a position where they feel compelled to work on these days, and that many Christians view commercial activities on these days as showing a disregard and disrespect for their religion; and therefore calls upon the Government to review existing legislation relating to the holiest days in the Christian calendar and bring forward change that will protect Christians from being compelled to engage in commercial activities on Good Friday and Christmas Day.","date":"2007-11-06","status":"c"}]