The National Trust - 100 not out!

1.01.13pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 5th Jul 2007

Motion congratulating the National Trust reaches 100 signatures

An Early Day Motion put before Parliament by Cheadle MP Mark Hunter to celebrate the centenary of the National Trust has continued to gather support at an impressive rate. In just over three weeks the motion has attracted the support of 100 MPs, one for every year that the National Trust has been in existence.

The motion which congratulates the National Trust on its important environmental and conservation work, and pays tribute to the Trust's patrons and the 43,000 volunteers on whom the National Trust depends, has gained exceptional support from MPs from across the party political spectrum.

Fiona Reynolds, the Director General of the National Trust has also contacted Mark Hunter directly to pass on her thanks and invite Mr Hunter - as a guest of honour - to a celebratory reception the Trust are holding at the House of Commons on 24th July.

Commenting on the success of the EDM, Mr Hunter said, "Speaking as a long-standing member of the National Trust, I am extremely pleased that the motion has gathered so much support so quickly. It really is quite an unusual level of backing and indicates the high regard in which the National Trust by so many people.

The National Trust is an extremely valuable organisation and it deserves to have its work recognised. As well as the 50 million people a year who are able to visit the great variety of land, gardens and properties of all sizes which are preserved in perpetuity by the Trust, the Trust also invests heavily in invaluable work to improve the environment. I'm pleased to have done my bit to mark its centenary here in Parliament, which is after all where it all started with the National Trust Act in 1907."