§ Mr. Malcolm Bruce (Gordon)I wish to present a petition on behalf of the residents of Westhill, in my constituency, who object strongly to the Government's proposal that their community should be moved into the city of Aberdeen. Westhill is not a suburb of Aberdeen but a distinct community with strong links with its rural hinterland. So strongly do the people of that community feel that 4,785 of an electorate of 4,862—more than 98 per cent.—have signed the petition. It also has the support of the hon. Members for Aberdeen, North (Mr. Hughes) and for Kincardine and Deeside (Mr. Kynoch), who I am pleased to see in his place.
The petition reads:
To the Honourable the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Parliament assembled. The petition of the residents of Westhill sheweth that the Government White Paper Shaping the Future—The New Councils proposes that the community of Westhill be incorporated into the City of Aberdeen. Whereas both at public meetings and through their local representatives the overwhelming majority of the residents of Westhill have expressed their total opposition to the Government's proposals we the undersigned petitioners therefore pray that the Honourable Members of the House of Commons and the Secretary of State for Scotland will incorporate the community of Westhill in the new council of Aberdeenshire and not the City of Aberdeen.And your petitioners as in duty bound will every pray etc.
§ To lie upon the Table.