§ Madam SpeakerWe now come to the Adjournment debate.
§ Sir James Kilfedder (North Down)On a point of order, Madam Speaker. Yesterday, I called at the office upstairs and gave notice that I intended to present a petition this morning. I had my request authenticated and signed, and was told that I could present it at 9.30 today. What has happened, and why am I not allowed to present my petition now?
§ Madam SpeakerThere has been a misunderstanding. From what the hon. Gentleman says, it seems that he went to the Upper Table Office. His petition has been authenticated, although it is not in my dossier. That being so, of course I shall hear it.
§ Sir James KilfedderI am grateful to you, Madam Speaker.
Nearly 5,000 of my constituents are exercising, through me, the centuries-old right of petitioning Parliament to prevent a grave injustice to a small but vulnerable group of elderly people who live in the Banks residential home, Bangor, County Down, and to the dedicated staff who so lovingly care for them.
The petitioners vigorously protest at the proposed closure of this modern, purpose-built residential home by the Eastern health and social services board, which imposes cuts on the health service in the area but never on its own inflated bureaucracy. The board does not seem to care about the traumatic effect on the elderly residents and their relatives of closing its residential home.
The petition reads:
Wherefore, your petitioners pray that your Honourable House will appeal to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to intervene to stop any possible closure or use of The Banks for anything other than a Nursing or Residential Home. Any tampering with this Home would be cruel to the residents and staff, who together form a big happy family. And your Petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray, etc.
§ To lie upon the Table.