§ Mr. Jonathan Shaw (Chatham and Aylesford)I wish to present a petition on behalf of Mr. David Buss, the branch secretary of Kent Unison. The petition is supported by 26,000 other signatories and by my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Medway (Mr. Marshall—Andrews) and my hon. Friends the Members for Dartford (Dr. Stoate), for Gravesham (Mr. Pond), for Gillingham (Mr. Clark), for Sittingbourne and Sheppey (Mr. Wyatt), for South Thanet (Dr. Ladyman) and for Dover (Mr. Prosser).
The petition states:
To the House of CommonsThe Petition of Mr. David Buss, the Secretary of Kent Unison declares that:The proposal by Kent county council to privatise the county council's 35 Linked Service Centres (Old People's Homes) will adversely affect the quality of care provided to the elderly people of Kent and is likely to lead to job losses.The petitioner therefore requests that the House of Commons ask the Secretary of State for Health whether Kent county council will be fulfilling its statutory obligations if it proceeds with the sell-off of its Linked Service Centres.And the petitioner remains etc.
§ To lie upon the Table.