§ Mr. G. StraussI beg to present a Petition, signed by approximately 200,000 people, protesting against the operation of the means test and urging that work schemes be launched. The Petitioners allege that the means test is doing very considerable harm to a large section of the population, mentally and physically, which harm is growing worse as the cost of living rises, and particularly as the cost of foodstuffs rises. They ask that work schemes should be started so that these unemployed people may usefully exercise their powers in increasing the wealth of the country and in producing goods which are urgently needed by the population. For these reasons they ask this Honourable House to take steps for the provision of public work schemes, at trade union rates of pay, and for the abolition of the means test.