§ Sir Dudley Smith (Warwick and Leamington)I beg to present a petition from the residents in the Leamington Spa and Warwick area. The petition expresses concern about possible reductions in education for the under-5s if Warwickshire county council is charge-capped. The petition is signed by more than 150 people, and I well understand their anxiety. I hope that it will be noted by Ministers in the Department of the Environment.
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 the Residents of Warwickshire, showeth that Warwickshire's Educational Provision will be very seriously damaged if current budget levels of £278.3 million are not maintained and we believe that if this level is cut by Community Charge Capping, then Warwickshire Educational provision will be in an intolerable situation. Wherefore your Petitioners pray that your honourable House will urge the Secretary of State for the Environment to reconsider the standard spending assesment for Warwickshire in order to enable Warwickshire to provide a just and fair resourcing in education.
And your Petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray, etc.
§ To lie upon the Table.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, That this House do now adjourn.—[Mr. Sackville.]