Beckenham Hospital (Hansard, 17 December 1982)

§ Sir Philip Goodhart (Beckenham)

I have great pleasure in presenting a petition that asks that this House should instruct the Secretary of State for Social Services to ensure that a full range of medical services is maintained at Beckenham hospital. The petition has been signed by a wide cross-section of community leaders and is supported by more than 22,000 signatures gathered in just six weeks. The petition represents the largest demonstration of support for a local institution that I can remember in the past 25 years. This unprecedented gesture in part reflects the fear that the authorities will soon take far-reaching decisions without being aware of the strength of local sentiment and, in part, gratitude for the splendid skill and dedication of the staff of Beckenham hospital that has been demonstrated so often for so many years.

The petition reads: To the Honourable the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Parliament assembled: The humble petition of residents of Beckenham and the surrounding area showeth: That there is a need for the full range of facilities to be maintained at Beckenham hospital for the benefit of the local communities. Wherefore your petitioners pray that your Honourable House will urge the Secretary of State for Social Services to instruct the Bromley health authority to maintain the present range of facilities at Beckenham Hospital. And your petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray.