§ Mr. Christopher Price (Lewisham, West)I beg to present a petition from Robert Anthony Joy, the borough solicitor to the London borough of Lewisham. As I propose to move a motion in respect of the petition, I ask that it be read.
§ The Clerk of the House read the petition, which was as follows:
§ To the Honourable the Commons of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Parliament assembled.
§ The humble Petition of Robert Anthony Joy sheweth
§ That the Petitioner is the borough solicitor to the London borough of Lewisham, representing the London boroughs of Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham in an application pending in the Queen's Bench Division of the High Court under No. D.C. 429/79 in which they are the applicants;
§ That in the said application the applicants seek an order of judicial review directed at a direction of the Secretary of State for Social Services dated 1st August 1979 and raised on 6th August 1979 appointing commissioners to perform the functions for the Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham area health authority (teaching);
§ That in the said action issues arise as to whether the powers of the Secretary of State under section 86 of the National Health Service Act 1977 to appoint such commissioners were applicable to the Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham area health authority (teaching) in this instance;
§ That on 19th December 1979 the Secretary of State for Social Services spoke on the Second Reading of the Health Services Bill;
§ That the said speech is reported in the following Report of Debates: 1979 Volume 976, columns 648 to 665;
§ That the above Report of Debates relates directly to the issues referred to in paragraph 2 hereof and reference is desired to be made in the case referred to in paragraph 1 hereof to the said Report of Debates. Wherefore your Petitioner humbly prays that your Honourable House giveleave for reference to be made to the said Report of Debates.
§ And your Petitioner, as in duty bound, will ever pray, etc.
§ Robert A. Joy.
§ Ordered,
§ That leave be given for reference to be made to the said Report of Debates.—[Mr. Christopher Price.]