§ Mr. F. HarrisI desire, Mr. Speaker, to present a Petition on behalf of 13,501 signatories, supported by the Independent Schools Association, which embraces 600 independent schools, the Rev. Dr. Sangster, General Secretary of the Methodist Church, who has written in general support on behalf of the members of this Church, and also some 400 members of the Clapham Old Xaverians Association and the Wimbledon Common Youth Council.
The Petition is also signed, particularly, by Mrs. Welsh of London, S.W.16, who has done so much work in the Protection of Children Campaign.
The Prayer of the Petition reads:
Wherefore, in view of the alarming number of sexual offences against young children, your Petitioners urge upon the House the need for taking immediate action to establish an institution for the treatment of such offenders, with the assurance that such persons shall not be released until cured.And your Petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray.
§ To lie upon the Table.