§ Mr. Ray Powell (Ogmore)I wish to present a petition on behalf of the residents of the United Kingdom. Its 8,500 signatories ask the House seriously to consider the issue of grandparents' rights.
The signatories are protesting because the present law will not allow them access to their grandchildren, the right to be considered for foster parenthood of those children or the right to adopt them. They want the House to consider introducing legislation to afford them these rights, so that they can have access to their grandchildren and be considered at official hearings into whether they can be the official guardians of, or legally adopt, their grandchildren. That is the right of every grandparent in the country and we are asking the House to consider it.
Apart from its 8,500 signatories, the petition is supported by a number of grandparents' organisations throughout the country. In addition, I hope that the House will consider giving a Second Reading to a Bill that would give grandparents these rights.
§ To lie upon the Table.