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Development and Healthcare (Hampshire)

I beg to present a petition that has been signed by 16,132 constituents and others. It relates to the Royal hospital, Haslar, which has been highly regarded as the only military hospital in the UK and which continues to provide excellent medical services for civilians and service personnel despite an announcement in 1998 that it was to be closed. I maintain that through this campaign Haslar has become the best known hospital in the UK. The petition demands that the hospital should be allowed to continue as a vital local asset. The petition states:"The Humble Petition of Mr Alan Scard and others,""Sheweth,""That Gosport Borough Council, Fareham Borough Council and the Haslar Task Force have proposals for the future use of the Haslar site and have urged that ways be found to utilise the site for the provision of healthcare services and treatment in Gosport, Fareham and the surrounding areas.""Wherefore your Petitioners pray that your Honourable House shall urge the Ministry of Defence, the Department of Health and all other relevant bodies to promote this particular proposal.""And your Petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray, &c."