§ Sir Richard AclandMay I ask leave to present a Petition to the House of Commons in Parliament assembled from certain mothers of children attending the day nursery at Pelham Road, Gravesend?
The Petition shows that the Petitioners have all in one way or another suffered misfortune, as by widowhood, permanent illness, or by the disability of their husbands, or otherwise, so that they could not maintain their homes and care for their children if they were not able to go out by day to take part in many different forms of useful work to earn money. For some time past they have been selected to enjoy the advantage of having their children cared for at the above-mentioned day nursery; if it were closed they would have no alternative means of caring for their children by day, would have to give up work, and go on to National Assistance.
The Kent County Council gave notice to close the day nursery on 26th March. 1082 but this date was postponed to 31st March in order to give an opportunity for the matter to be considered by the Ministers responsible to this House who have the power to overrule a decision to close the day nursery if the county council should still be minded to close it.
The Petition concludes:
Wherefore your Petitioners pray that the Members of this honourable House will take all steps possible to prevent the closing of the said day nursery.And your Petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray.To lie upon the Table.