§ Mr. CordleWith your permission, Mr. Speaker, and that of the House, I beg to present a Petition signed by 26 citizens of my constituency and neighbouring areas who pursue the trade of inshore fishermen. The petition states that the proposed arrangements for United Kingdom membership of the European Community will lead to the rapid depletion of our inshore fisheries, to the detriment of the industry and of the nation's food supplies, and draws special attention to the inadequate provision for patrolling the six-to-twelve-mile zone.
I beg the House to note that I do not wholly subscribe to the views expressed in the Petition.
The Petition concludes:
Wherefore your Petitioners pray that your honourable House do retain the Fishery Limits Act of 1964 for an unlimited period and that your honourable House establishes an adequate naval patrol system competent to protect all areas under their control and supervision.And your Petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray.
§ To lie upon the Table.