The petition of the citizens of the UK attracts 12 signatures, supported by 4,098 of similar sentiment, 433 of which were collected by The Southern Daily Echo. The petitioners recognise the award of the naval general service medal and the general service medal with Malaya clasp to approximately 100,000 members of the three armed forces who saw active service in Malaya during the emergency from 16 June 1948 to 31 July 1960. On 31 August 1957, the Government of the UK granted Malaya its independence and after then, to resist incursion by the Indonesian army, Commonwealth troops fought under a defence treaty signed between the Government of Malaysia and the Government of the UK. Those involved in the confrontation were awarded a Borneo clasp by the UK Government and the Pingat Jasa Malaysia by the Government of Malaysia.

The petition states:

The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to bring forward legislation to award an additional rosette, to be attached to the NGSM/GSM medal ribbon, to all forces who qualify for active service in Malaya between 16th June 1948 and 31st August 1957, in order to distinguish between those who served before Malaya’s date of independence and those after; a similar circumstance was recognised by the award of a rosette with the South Atlantic Falklands Medal Ribbon.

Following is the full text of the petition:

[The Petition of citizens of the United Kingdom,

Declares that they accept the recognition of the award of the NGSM/GSM with clasp Malaya to all members of the three Armed Forces of the Commonwealth, approximately 100,000 in number, a high proportion of them being National Servicemen, serving on active service in Malaya during the emergency from 16th June 1948 to its cessation on 31st of July 1960; on the 31st August 1957 the Government of the United Kingdom granted Malaya its independence.

Further declares that the Malaysian Government was formed in 1963 to include Singapore and the States of Sabah and Sarawak on the Island of Borneo; that the amalgamation of the States began a confrontation with the Indonesian Government Army; that to resist the incursion by the Indonesian Army, under the defence treaty signed between the Government of Malaysia and the Government of the United Kingdom, it was necessary to take up arms by the Commonwealth Forces resulting in an agreement being reached in August 1966; and that the Government of the United Kingdom awarded the NGSM/GSM with clasp Borneo and the Government of Malaysia awarded the Pingat Jasa Malaysia (PJM) to all Commonwealth Forces engaged during the confrontation, including all serving members still engaged on active service in Malaya post 31st July 1957, disregarding those forces actively engaged prior to that date.

The Petition further declares that those who fought and endured the struggle between 1948 and 1957 do not qualify for any further recognition for their part in the defeat of the Military Army of the Malayan Communist Party.

The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to bring forward legislation to award an additional rosette, to be attached to the NGSM/GSM medal ribbon, to all forces who qualify for active service in Malaya between 16th June 1948 and 31st August 1957, in order to distinguish between those who served before Malaya’s date of independence and those after; a similar circumstance was recognised by the award of a rosette with the South Atlantic Falklands Medal Ribbon.

And the Petitioners remain, etc.]

[P000432]

The petition relates to the Government’s response to the parliamentary ombudsman’s reports on Equitable Life.

The petition states:

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.

Following is the full text of the petition:

[The Petition of residents of Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock,

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 with the findings and recommendations of her Report upon Equitable Life.

And the Petitioners remain, etc.]

[P000729]

I should like to present a petition from Mrs. Patricia Hooker and the Churches Together in Roundhay, in my constituency, which has been signed by 181 of my constituents.

The petition states:

The Petition of members of Churches Together in Roundhay,

Declares that we are deeply concerned about the high levels of destitution among asylum seekers, especially refused asylum seekers, and in particular that many people have been left in this dire situation for prolonged periods. Research in Leeds in 2009, indicates that since the Report in 2007, the situation has deteriorated. It demonstrates that destitution happens at all stages of the asylum process, administrative delays worsen destitution, destitution is serious and prolonged, the number of people being made newly destitute is increasing even with the ‘New Asylum Model’—it is not just a ‘legacy’ problem and entitlement to apply for support does not mean entitlement to receive support. Destitute people may be single or families with children; they are being forced into street homelessness and they have worsening health and mental health problems.

The Petitioners therefore request the House of Commons to ensure its legislation is designed and implemented so as to end the destitution of asylum seekers at all stages of the asylum process so they can contribute to the United Kingdom and provide for themselves.

And the Petitioners remain, etc.

[P000723]