§ Mr. Andrew Welsh (Angus)We may now move into calmer waters, Mr. Deputy Speaker. [Interruption.]
Mr. Deputy SpeakerWill the hon. Gentleman please take a seat while other hon. Members leave the Chamber quietly?
§ Mr. WelshI beg leave to present a petition in the name of Mr. James Buchanan, signed by more than 40,000 residents—[Interruption.]
Mr. Deputy SpeakerOrder. Hon. Members should not be standing while an hon. Gentleman is presenting a petition.
§ Mr. WelshThe petition is signed by more than 40,000 residents of Angus and others. The petition declares that the law as it stands does not give the 999 emergency services adequate rights of assured access during their operations on behalf of the general public.
We all, in some way or other, rely on those emergency services—whether police, fire, ambulance or others—and all sensible motorists would, out of courtesy, give way to allow free passage to those services. Sadly, however, nowadays that courtesy is not always shown, and the petitioners want rights of access to emergency situations strengthened in the general public interest.
The petition states that:
The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions to introduce legislation which would force drivers to give way to emergency service vehicles in pursuit of their duties.And the Petitioners remain etc.To lie upon the Table.