§ Mr. Tony McWalter (Hemel Hempstead)I wish to present a petition. It states:
The Humble Petition of 35,610 persons likely to be affected detrimentally by the plans of the West Hertfordshire Health Authority, which plans were submitted recently to the Secretary of State for Health for his decision,Sheweth ThatThe aforesaid plans imply potentially closure of or downgrading of the Hemel Hempstead General Hospital, notwithstanding that the said hospital has had within the year 1998 a new Accident and Emergency facility built at a cost of over £5 million,and thatThe acute services available at the aforesaid Hemel Hempstead General Hospital are held in the highest regard by the community of West Hertfordshire,Wherefore your Petitioners pray your Honourable House urge that the aforesaid plans of the West Hertfordshire Health Authority be not countenanced by the Secretary of State for HealthAnd your Petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray etc.To lie upon the Table.