§ Mrs. Annette L. Brooke (Mid-Dorset and North Poole)I wish to present a petition signed by 320 pupils—[Interruption.]
§ Mr. Deputy Speaker (Sir Michael Lord)Order. We are dealing with a petition. Could hon. Members who are leaving the Chamber do so quickly and quietly?
§ Mrs. BrookeThank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker.
The petition is signed by 320 pupils of Ashdown school in my constituency. The petition was promoted by Jacob Waters, aged 12, after watching his head teacher on television talking about the funding crisis in his and other Poole schools. Jacob was assisted by Catherine, also aged 12.
The petition of pupils of Ashdown school declares:
That it is disgusting that students in the Poole area are not getting enough funding for their education; that students who have special needs rely on their teaching assistants to help them obtain a good education; that the Government promised everyone a good education, including the students of Poole, but have not delivered funding for this; that children are the future of Britain.The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to provide, through legislation, adeq uate funding for all children, regardless of school or area.And the Petitioners remain, etc.To lie upon the Table.