ROGERSTONE COMMUNITY COUNCIL AND ALLOTMENTS

Early day motion 1777, tabled 30 June 2009 by Paul Flynn (Labour). Signed by 24 members.

That this House is appalled by the crass insensitivity of Conservative-controlled Rogerstone Community Council's threat to clear the allotment of war heroine and war widow Mrs Edith Avery, because she is cultivating too many flowers; notes that Mrs Avery is in her 90th year and has, for 30 years, tended the allotment which is situated a few feet from the back door of her cottage; congratulates Mrs Avery on the exemplary appearance of her allotment and understands her difficulty in growing vegetables at her advanced age; condemns the council's failure to answer letters from Mrs Avery's relative and from the hon. Member for Newport West that urged the exercise of a little humanity and common sense; and calls on the Conservative Party to condemn the petty, heartless, jobsworth stupidity of the Conservative Council and its leader who answered Mrs Avery's complaint about their dictatorial attitude with the comment `rules are rules'.

Signatures by party: Labour 18, Liberal Democrat 3, DUP 1, Independent 1, Plaid Cymru 1.