I wish to present three petitions with a common theme, namely opposition to the forced sale of a number of buildings provided for the use of community and voluntary groups in the London borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. The petitioners in each case protest the decision of the Conservative-controlled council to sell those long-standing and irreplaceable resources for local communities in my constituency, particularly because the decisions were taken in secret without the users and tenants of the buildings being consulted or informed of the sales and without any thought being given to the future of the groups to be evicted.

First, I present a petition of 281 residents of the Wormholt estate in Shepherd’s Bush concerning the disposal and proposed demolition of the former Wormholt library—a building of merit on the council’s own classification—which is operated by the Wormholt tenants and residents association, chaired by Rene Taylor, to provide a range of services primarily for elderly residents of the estate.

The petition states:

The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Secretary of State for Communities to use her powers to reverse the decision of Hammersmith and Fulham Council to close and dispose of the former Wormholt Library, now Wormholt Tenants and Residents Community Centre, Hemlock Road.

Secondly, I present the petition of 287 residents of College park, an isolated area in the north-east of my constituency, concerning the disposal of the College park community centre, which has been a public building for over a century, is operated by the College park residents association, chaired by Maureen Clark, and runs a weekly youth club, pensioners club and the Happy Bunnies mother and toddler club, among other community events.

The petition states:

The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Secretary of State for Communities to use her powers to reverse the decision to close College Park Community Centre.

Thirdly, I present the petition of 628 users of the Hut Association, based at 59 Godolphin road in Shepherd’s Bush. The Hut Association, run by Jacqueline Boyce, is an umbrella group providing services to families, many of whom are from black and minority ethnic backgrounds, particularly the much-loved parents and toddlers group.

The petition states:

The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Secretary of State for Communities to use her powers to reverse the decision of Hammersmith and Fulham Council not to renew the lease of 59 Godolphin Road.

And the Petitioners remain, etc.

To lie upon the Table.