§ Mr. Gordon McMaster (Paisley, South)This petition contains some 33,000 signatures from people throughout the length and breadth of Scotland. It shows their complete dissatisfaction with and total opposition to the Government's proposals to privatise the water and sewerage services in Scotland. It supplements a petition containing about 85,000 names which has already been delivered to the Scottish Office. People throughout Scotland were willing to queue up to have the opportunity to sign this petition.
Now that I have described the petition, I shall read it.
The petitionShewethThat the privatisation of water and sewerage services in England and Wales has led to higher charges and increased numbers of disconnections of domestic water supplies. That water is an important natural asset, vital to the maintenance of public health.That the provision of water and sewerage services must be affordable to all and that this is best ensured if those services remain in public ownership.Wherefore your Petitioners pray that your honourable House does not pass legislation to remove water and sewerage services in Scotland from public ownership.
§ To lie upon the Table.