§ Mr. James DavidsonI have to present a Petition on behalf of the North-East of Scotland Development Committee, the Corporation of the City of Aberdeen, the County Council of the County of Aberdeen, the provost, magistrates and councillors of the Royal Burghs of Inverurie and Kintore, the burgh of Old-meldrum and the Presbytery of Garioch of the Church of Scotland, all duly signed and sealed.
Their material allegations are
That grave concern is felt throughout the entire areas administered by the Petitioners with regard to the threat of closure of the Inverurie Locomotive Carriage and Wagon Works; that the closure of the said works would create widespread unemployment and unrest in Inverurie and the adjoining area, due to the large number of employees involved and the absence of alternative opportunities of employment; and that it would accelerate the drift of population from the North-East of Scotland towards the over-crowded industrial areas and undermine the economy of the Royal Burgh of Inverurie.Wherefore your Petitioners pray that the British Railways Board be urged to refrain from closing, or reducing employment at Inverurie Locomotive Carriage and Wagon Works; and in the event of the British Rail ways Board deciding to close the said works, that the British Railways Board be urged to phase the closure over a lengthy period to permit the introduction of alternative forms of employment; and that in the event of the British Railways Board deciding to close the said works, the Inverurie area be granted the status of a special development area and that all appropriate Government Departments be urged to combine in renewed efforts to attract industries to the town of Inverurie and the surrounding area.And your Petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray.In addition to the signatures of the chairmen, lord provosts, convenors, pro- 1534 vosts, magistrates, councillors and other officials of the said bodies, the terms of the Petition are supported by over 5,000 signatures.
§ To lie upon the Table.