HC Deb 29 March 2000 vol 347 cc465-6 11.41 pm
Mr. Patrick McLoughlin (West Derbyshire)

It is my privilege to present a petition to the House that was given me yesterday at a crisis rally of Derbyshire farmers and other farmers from the midlands, on the eve of the summit that the Prime Minister is to hold tomorrow.

The petition states that farmers in the midlands wish to draw the attention of the House of Commons to the plight of farmers. They call upon the House to support positive action to provide the viable production of true British food and ensure the maintenance of the British countryside. The petition is signed by some 2,400 people, and is a sign of the growing concern about the Government's treatment of the countryside.

To lie upon the Table.