§ Mr. Andrew Mackinlay (Thurrock)I am pleased to present to the House a petition by County Councillor Reg Lee, Margie Roberts and other residents of Aveley in my constituency of Thurrock, and other men and women from Essex, who are concerned for the protection and promotion of the environment and who consider that, without the intervention of this place, permission shall be granted to the company Greenways to excavate and fill Aveley No. 3 pit which is situated on the Romford road in Essex with a consequential blight on properties, hazards from increased lorry movement and pollution of the soil and atmosphere—work which they would have to endure for a further 17 years.
Wherefore, your petitioners—who exceed 3,500—pray that your honourable House shall seek to persuade the Secretary of State for the Environment to exercise his power to determine this planning application following an independent public inquiry where the views and objections of the petitioners can be heard and examined by an independent Inspector appointed for this purpose, and your petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray.To lie upon the Table.