I present this petition to the House on behalf of a number of my constituents—all affected in one way or another by the Equitable Life assurance society fiasco—headed by Mr. Colin Rivington. They remain loyal subjects of the Queen and petition this Parliament to take action on their behalf.

The petitions states:

“The Petition of the residents of the constituency of Portsmouth South,

Declares that the Petitioners either are or they represent or support members, former members or personal representatives of deceased members of the Equitable Life Assurance Society who have suffered maladministration leading to injustice, as found by the Parliamentary Ombudsman in her report upon Equitable Life, ordered by the House of Commons to be printed on 16 July 2008 and bearing reference number HC 815; and further declares that the Petitioners or those whom they represent or support have suffered regulatory failure on the part of the public bodies responsible from the year 1992 onwards, but have not received compensation for the resulting losses and outrage.

The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to uphold the constitutional standing of the Parliamentary Ombudsman by complying in full with the findings and recommendations of her Report upon Equitable Life.

And the Petitioners remain, etc.

[P000425]