§ Ms Margaret Hodge (Barking)I wish to present a petition of the citizens of the United Kingdom asking that the House pass the Adoptive Mothers (Maternity Leave) Bill, which is on the Order Paper today and would end the unfair discrimination experienced by adoptive parents and give them the same maternity rights at work as birth mothers.
In the short space of just over one week since the Bill had its First Reading, the newly formed Adopters Campaign for Equality has secured 1,500 signatures for this petition. In view of the Prime Minister's statement that he wishes to remove barriers to adoption, the petitioners urge the House to take the practical step by passing the Bill, which would end the unjust discrimination against women who cannot bear children and who choose to adopt.
§ To lie upon the table.