§ Mr. Tony Clarke (Northampton, South)I wish to present a petition on behalf of 2,500 residents of the Far Cotton and St. James areas of Northampton who were affected by the Easter floods earlier this year. The petition states:
The Humble Petition of Residents, Business Owners and Tenants and other Citizens of the Far Cotton and St. James areas of Northampton,ShewethThat we, the undersigned, hereby:
- 1. express our deep concern that our homes and premises were flooded or otherwise affected by water, noxious substances and the like in the 1998 Easter Flood Disaster which struck part of Northampton;
1023 - 2. are dismayed by the resultant extensive loss, damage and devaluation of property and premises and loss of income that we have suffered;
- 3. are distressed by the loss of life occasioned.
- 4. question the efficacy of the Inquiries so far established due to their lack of real independence or inadequate terms of reference of insufficient authority;
- 5. call upon Her Majesty's Government to establish a truly Independent Public Inquiry under the stewardship of a Judge of the High Court (or other suitably qualified person) having the authority to gather evidence, order the attendance of witnesses and the examination and inspection of all the relevant material with the objective of drawing conclusions and detailing recommendations as to compensation, future protective and preventative measures, apportion blame or establish fault where appropriate (including that for negligence or criminal negligence causing death) and other matters, within a Report to be published and presented to the appropriate authorities and the Minister responsible for action.
Wherefore your Petitioners pray that your honourable House do support such a Comprehensive Public Inquiry as the mechanism for revealing and exposing the full facts of the aforementioned Flood DisasterAnd your Petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray, &c
§ To lie upon the Table.