§ Mr. CollinsI beg to ask leave to present to the House a petition by some thousands of my constituents. It draws attention to the fact that, despite the postwar building of 4,000 flats in the constituency, there are still 7,000 families in desperate need of accommodation who feel that, because of the operation of the Requisitioned Houses and Housing (Amendment) Act, 1955, and the provisions of the Housing Subsidies Bill, they will lose all chance of getting a decent home.
The petition points out that the ending of housing subsidies other than for slum clearance means the end of new building for general housing needs. The Petitioners ask the House to reject these proposals, and, as a matter of urgency, to appoint an independent commission to report on housing conditions in my constituency and other constituencies similarly placed. They ask for resolute and sustained action to relieve their sufferings. They conclude:
Your petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray.
§ To lie upon the Table.