§ Mr. LagdenMr. Speaker, I am privileged to submit a Petition, and I speak as the voice of 302,472 of Her Majesty's subjects who have thought fit to speak for those of God's creatures who cannot speak for themselves. The object if this Petition, apart from its plainly worded contents, is to obtain discussion and bring into the light of day much which remains hidden. The fact that 302,472 petitioners have appended their names should prove beyond doubt that this Petition is submitted not by cranks but by sincerely-minded persons worthy of the consideration of the House of Commons.
The wording of the Petition is as follows:
§ To the honourable Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Parliament assembled.
1328§ The Humble Petition of Citizens of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
§ Sheweth that the practice of experimenting upon living animals in the supposed interests of mankind involves the infliction of much pain and suffering upon defenceless creatures, and that the time and money spent thereon could be better diverted from such experiments of doubtful and disputed value to humane avenues of investigation.
§ Wherefore your Petitioners pray that the practice of experimenting on living animals be prohibited by Law of your Honourable House.
§ And your Petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray, etc.
§ To lie upon the Table.