This petition, collected over a relatively short period, demonstrates the support of my constituents and others for the "Make poverty history" campaign. The petition echoes early-day motion 9, tabled by my hon. Friend Ms Drown, whose tireless work on international development issues will be sadly missed. The petition reads:

The Petition of residents of Pudsey constituency and others,

Declares that the current debt crisis, trade injustice and shortcomings of aid exacerbate poverty, inequality, the HIV/AIDS crisis and environmental degradation across the developing world; and further declares that if the international community is to make poverty history then there needs to be further co-ordinated political action by the world's governments, including the United Kingdom, aimed at trade justice, dropping the debt and providing more and better aid.

The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons call upon the United Kingdom Government to lead the way for change, and to use its influence when holding the presidency of the G8 and chairing the EU to make poverty history in 2005.

And the Petitioners remain, etc.

To lie upon the Table.