§ Mrs. Marion Roe (Broxbourne)This petition of 170 signatures—[Interruption.]
§ Madam SpeakerOrder. hon. Members who are leaving the Chamber should do so quietly. A lady is on her feet trying to present a petition.
§ Mrs. RoeThank you, Madam Speaker.
This petition, with 170 signatures, is from the residents of Northaw and Cuffley and surrounding areas in my constituency in Hertfordshire, and is entitled "Save our Countryside". It reads:
The petition of the residents of Cuffley and Northaw declares that we are concerned about the decisions to sanction plans for new development throughout the countryside.My constituents have been appalled by the decision of the Labour Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions not to intervene in the Liberal Democrat and Labour-controlled Hertfordshire county council's structure plan proposals to build 10,000 houses on green-belt land to the west of Stevenage near my constituency. That area of green belt will be destroyed by that major housing development in spite of the Government's claims before the general election to be committed to protecting the environment. The whole point of green-belt land is that it is not an elastic idea.The petition continues:
The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions to ensure that more homes are built in city areas instead of the countryside or green belt, to breathe new life into our cities and to protect valuable countryside for future generations.The petition has my whole-hearted support.
§ To lie upon the Table.