§ Mr. Jim Cunningham (Coventry, South-East)I collected 7,500 signatures to this petition in about two days, which shows the depth of feeling about the pit closures in the Coventry area.
To the Honourable the Commons of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland assembled. The humble petition of the residents of Coventry sheweth; that the recent announcement of the pit closures has filled the people of Coventry with deep concern because of the consequential loss of employment for miners. They are also concerned because of the effect of these pit closures will have on employment in related industries. They believe that this short-term policy will be to the long term detriment of Coventry and to the nation. Seven thousand people of Coventry have expressed their concern by signing this petition because they feel that the closures are neither economically or socially justified. Wherefore your Petitioners pray that your Honourable House will take measures to see that those closures will not proceed because of the resulting social and economic hardship for the many communities and thousands of families.And your petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray, etc.
§ To lie upon the Table.