§ Mr. CordleWith your permission, Mr. Speaker, and that of the House, I beg to present a petition signed by 53 housewives and others of Bournemouth.
The petition states briefly that there is grave concern in Bournemouth about rising prices for food and other essential commodities, caused by entry into the Common Market and the consequential cessation of cheap food from Australia and New Zealand. The petitioners are deeply anxious because of what they call,
… the ruthless speed with which Legislation … has been rushed through Parliament without due regardto the implications of the legislation. I beg the House to note that I do not subscribe to the views expressed in the petition. The petition concludes:Wherefore your Petitioners pray that your Honourable House do not approve the Treaty of Accession and do retain the cheap food policy so successfully operated in this Country for many years—to protect particularly those sections of the community who would otherwise suffer severe hardship, namely, the old-age pensioners, people on fixed incomes, and those with low incomes, and urge your Honourable House to debate this matter as a matter of urgency.And your Petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray, etc.
§ To lie upon the Table.