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§ Mr. David Wilshire (Spelthorne)I have pleasure in presenting a petition from some 1,100 of my constituents who live near the site for the proposed new women's prison at Woodthorpe road Ashford in the county of Middlesex. They are united in their opposition to the Government's plan. They and many others whom I represent understand and support the need for additional prison accommodation, but they are adamant that it should not be sited in the middle of a large residential area and must not use up one of the rare areas of open space in Ashford.
The petition states:
That the proposals by the Secretary of State for the Home Department to build a Women's Prison at Woodthorpe Road, Ashford, Middlesex will be detrimental to the interests of local residents and is contrary to their clearly expressed views as communicated to Her Majesty's Government by their Member of Parliament.Wherefore your Petitioners pray that your honourable House shall urge the Home Secretary to consider the harm that will be done to residents of the Spelthorne Constituency and cancel his plans.
§ To lie upon the Table.