§ Mr. William Shelton (Streatham)I beg leave to present to the House a petition signed by a number of my constituents, which represents the view of many more who did not have the opportunity to sign it.
The petition states:
Wherefore your Petitioners pray that the Hon. Members of the House of Commons should bear in mind, that according to Article 16 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights "The Family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by Society and the State." We ask that they should therefore urge the Home Secretary that he should recommend to the House that parents must be given statutory rights to be consulted before any contraceptive drugs or devices be given to their daughters whilst they are under 16: thus enabling parents to take whatever actions they think necessary to protect their daughters from early and unlawful sexual relationships, and the criminal actions of the males involved.I strongly support the petition.
§ To lie upon the Table.
10.22 pm§ Mr. Robert Jackson (Wantage)I beg leave to present a petition from a number of my constituents on the same subject as that presented by my hon. Friend the Member for Streatham (Mr. Shelton.) They draw attention to the part of the petition which states:
Girls need special protection, as the future mothers in society, and must be given opportunities and facilities, by law and by other means to enable them to develop physically, mentally, morally, spiritually and socially in a healthy and normal manner.
§ To lie upon the Table.
10.23 pm§ Mr. Doug Hoyle (Warrington, North)I beg leave to present a petition similar to those presented by the hon. Members for Streatham (Mr. Shelton) and for Wantage (Mr. Jackson), on behalf of my constituent Mrs. N. M. M. Ashcroft of 18, Freshfields Drive, Longbarn, Padgate, Warrington, and 2,585 petitioners.
§ To lie upon the Table.
10.24 pm§ Mr. A. J. Beith (Berwick-upon-Tweed)I beg leave to' present a petition from the residents of Alnwick and Amble on the same subject as the petitions presented by the hon. Members for Streatham (Mr. Shelton), for Wantage (Mr. Jackson) and for Warrington, North (Mr.Hoyle) — contraceptive advice and abortions for girls under 16.
Although not in identical terms, it prays
that your Honourable House will legislate to give parents or legal guardians the statutory right to be informed of and give consent to all medication for their children under 16 years of age.I welcome the fact that yesterday the Government undertook to reconsider this matter. I trust they will recognise that the root of the petition lies in the deep concern that parental responsibility and guidance should be seen to have its proper place in helping girls under 16 who find themselves in difficulty. I hope the Government will understand that parental responsibility is of the utmost importance and, therefore, take account of the serious concern that has been expressed.
§ To lie upon the Table.