§ Mr. YoungerMr. Speaker, I beg to ask leave to present to the House a public Petition against the disbandment of Scottish Regiments in general and of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in particular.
This Petition was started last July when it was announced that a further six battalions were to be disbanded, including two Scottish ones—the Second Battalion Scots Guards and the First Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. During the late summer and autumn, support for the Petition swept through Scotland and also went deep into the heart of England, Northern Ireland and Wales. As a result, when I present it to the House today it has attached to it now fewer than 1,086,590 signatures.
I know that this House will treat with respect and sympathy a plea that clearly carries with it such massive public support. The Petition reads as follows:
To the Honourable the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Parliament assembled:The Humble Petition of the Citizens of Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland showeth that the Scottish Regiments in general and the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in particular have an outstanding record in recruiting and military skill and have rendered notable service to this nation over many generations.Wherefore your Petitioners pray that your House shall resolve that none of these Regiments should be disbanded at this time when the Army is in urgent need of more recruits, And your Petitioners, as in duty bound, will every pray.
§ To lie upon the Table.
§ Sir H. Legge-BourkeOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. I will take the hon. Gentleman's point of order at the end of Question time.
§ Mr. Emrys HughesOn a point of order—
§ Mr. SpeakerThe same applies to the hon. Member for South-Ayrshire (Mr. Emrys Hughes).