§ Mr. Mark Lennox-Boyd (Morecambe and Lonsdale)With your permission, Mr. Speaker, and that of the House, I wish to present a petition which has been delivered to me by the Morecambe, Lancaster and district branch of the National Federation of Self Employed and Small Businesses Limited. This petition expresses the concern of that branch about the Government's proposals outlined in the Green Paper "Income During Initial Sickness: A New Strategy", which would, if implemented, require employers to pay the first eight weeks' sickness benefit to their employees.
A large number of signatures are appended to the petition, which is inscribed upon velum and edged in blue ribbon.
§ It contains, finally, the prayer, in the following terms: Wherefore your Petitioners pray that your honourable House rejects the proposals outlined in "Income During Initial Sickness: A New Strategy".
§ I beg to present the petition.
§ To lie upon the Table.