Petitions
Tuesday 26 February 2008
Petition presented to the House but not read on the Floor
Queen Mary's Hospital (Sidcup)
The Petition of residents of the London Borough of Bexley and others, to save our services at Queen Mary's Hospital, Sidcup,
Declares the Petitioners great concern at the proposal of NHS London to close the Accident & Emergency and Maternity departments at Queen Mary's Hospital, Sidcup and that they believe these measures to be financially driven by factors at other hospitals in the region rather than the clinical excellence and cost-effectiveness of the services provided at this much valued local hospital.
The Petitioners further declares that the Maternity department has gained the highest clinical assessment in the region and that neighbouring hospitals refer to Sidcup because of lack of capacity and patient choice.
The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Secretary of State for Health to use his powers to reverse the proposed reduction in much needed and highly valued hospital services in Bexley.
And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Derek Conway .] [P000135]
Observations
Treasury
HM Valuation Office Agency (Newport)
The Petition of employees and supporters of Her Majesty's Valuation Office Agency in Newport,
Declares that Her Majesty's Valuation Office Agency in Newport provides vital services in addition to providing important employment opportunities in Newport. Staff who work in this office have provided loyal and dedicated service to VOA over many years with a significant number of staff having served for a considerable period of time. That the threatened relocation of services from VOA Newport and the closure of this office will have a negative impact on the local economy, an environmental impact from additional travel and a devastating effect on the lives of the staff who currently work there.
The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons calls upon Her Majesty's Government to fully consider the case for retaining the VOA Newport Office and the possibility of co-locating with HMRC Newport.
And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Jessica Morden, Official Report, 5 February 2008; Vol. 471, c. 930 .] [P000118]
Observations from the Chancellor of the Exchequer:
All presentations will be taken into account before final decisions are made at the end of this financial year on the future of Newport and the other Valuation Office Agency locations announced for potential closure in November 2007. The feasibility of retaining a presence in Newport by relocating to a HMRC building with spare capacity is being explored as one of the options.