Perry Family (Citizenship)

Petition – in the House of Commons at 11:31 pm on 31 March 2008.

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Photo of Frank Cook Frank Cook Labour, Stockton North 11:31, 31 March 2008

Being cognisant of the need for brevity as there is an important Adjournment debate to follow, I shall simply tell the House that the petition I seek to present this evening relates to the Perry family of Thorpe Thewles in my constituency. Mr. Perry went to South Africa many years ago and met Karen, his current wife. Having married, they had three sons and after many years Mr. Perry repatriated himself to this country, took up a secure job and established a home in Thorpe Thewles, and was joined by his wife who, sadly, did not take care of her travel documents and was then considered to be out of time as far as immigration status is concerned. This is an example of the triumph of bureaucracy over common sense or the formulation of arid regulation without any degree of human compassion—or perhaps if Mrs. Perry had been born fleet of foot and had expressed a wish to represent England in the Olympics and change her name to Zola Budd, it might not have been necessary for me to present this petition.

Following is the full text of the petition:

[ The Humble Petition of Marcus, Cain-Dean and Joshua Perry and others undersigned hereon,

Sheweth

That they are against any law that discriminates against long standing and successful marriages of over 20 years, where a British citizen is forced to be apart from their chosen spouse.

Wherefore your Petitioners pray that your Honourable House urges the Government to reflect over the case of the Perry family and allow Karen Perry to enjoy legal status within the United Kingdom and enjoy family rights as should her sons and husband.

And your Petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray, &c. ]

[P000161]