It is my privilege to present a petition, signed by 5,000 of my constituents living in New Parks Estate in Leicester, arising out of the condemnation of the community centre on that estate which has caused great hardship to all sections of the New Parks community.

The petition prays that urgent provision be made for a youth and community centre in the said New Parks Estate and that the local authorities concerned be encouraged and assisted so to do.

I beg leave to present a petition on behalf of 1,000 of my constituents of Moulton, Crowland, Holbeach, Long Sutton, Sutton Bridge, Whaplode, Holbeach St. John's and parts of Spalding, who have been subjected to a 100 per cent. or nearly 100 per cent. increase in their rates.

The petition is a long one, but the essence of it is that the rate increases that have been necessary in all parts of the country have been aggravated in the Fens of Holland because in that area we also have to pay a drainage rate to provide for the drainage of the water that comes down from what we call the high country, those other areas whose rainfall goes through the Fens to reach the Wash. These drainage charges are fixed in proportion to the ordinary rates.

The petition also urges that the sewerage element should not be paid in areas in which no main drainage is available.