§ Mr. John McWilliam (Blaydon)Rather than delay the hon. Member for Hampstead and Highgate (Sir G. Finsberg), who has a most important Adjournment debate this evening, my hon. Friend the Member for Durham, North (Mr. Radice) and I have decided that I shall present this petition, although it is signed by 684 of my constituents and by 349 of his. The petition reads as follows:
The Humble Petition of residents of the Metropolitan Borough of Gateshead.Sheweth,That the proposal to opencast mine coal in the area to the south of Marley Hill and remove the coal by road would result in the net destruction of jobs, cause blight to the countryside and congest the already inadequate roads.Wherefore your Petitioners pray that your Honourable House encourage the Secretary of State for the Environment to resist this proposal.And your Petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray &c.
§ To lie upon the Table.