§ Mr.Peter Viggers (Gosport)Earlier today, a delegation from Hampshire took to 10 Downing street a petition with 50,000 signatures. This evening, it is my privilege to produce to the House a parliamentary petition that similarly has 50,000 signatures. Both of those petitions are related to the retention of our only military hospital, which is the Royal hospital Haslar, which is in my constituency. All the people who have signed the petitions care deeply about the retention of our only tn-service centre of medical excellence.My constituents are profoundly concerned about the prospective loss of their local hospital.
The parliamentary petition is a most unusual one. It is, I think, in exemplary form, and I think that the House will appreciate it.
§ Madam SpeakerIt looks very pretty.
§ Mr.ViggersThank you, Madam Speaker. It is an attempt by my constituents and others to put in graphic form their deep concern about the present issue. I shall read the words of the petition, which speak for themselves
The petition states:
To the Honourable the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Parliament assembled.The Humble Petition of the Citizens of Gosport, Fareham and surrounding areas, and others throughout the United Kingdom who are concerned about the future of the Royal Hospital Haslar and Defence Medical Services.
§
Sheweth
That Royal Hospital Haslar has provided medical services for Service personnel and civilians since 1753; that it currently treats 111,000 patients a year and 27,000 Accident and Emergency cases; that since 1994 Haslar Hospital has operated as the sole tri-Service hospital and centre of excellence for the Army, the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force; that there is no possibility of alternate medical provision being made in the Gosport area before the closure of Royal Hospital Haslar which could be as early as 2002.
Wherefore your Petitioners pray that your Honourable House do resolve and instruct Her Majesty's Government to reconsider its proposals to close the Royal Hospital Haslar; and instead to use the facilities of the Royal Hospital Haslar in a new partnership with the National Health Service in order to continue medical cover of the highest order for the citizens of the Gosport area; and to maintain the Royal Hospital Haslar as a centre of excellence for Defence Medical Services.
§ Most unusually, the petition has been sealed by the seals of the borough of Gosport, the borough of Fareham, the borough of Havant, the city of Portsmouth and Hampshire county council, which is a symbol of the exceptional concern of the community.
To lie upon the Table.