§ Mr. McMasterI beg to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House, under Standing Order No. 9, for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that should have urgent consideration, namely,
The serious rioting and civil disorder in Belfast last night, which resulted in the death of two civilians, and the deteriorating security situation throughout the Province, which has been aggravated by a new phase of unrest and violence in hitherto peaceful areas.I urge you, Mr. Speaker, to grant leave on the ground that this matter is both specific and urgent. There has been in the past weeks a completely new phase in the rioting in Northern Ireland. Last night I experienced a night of the most appalling violence, with shooting all round in my own area of East Belfast. Great frustration is felt by the vast majority of people, both Catholic and Protestant, as they see the toll of death and destruction mounting in spite of what the Government have done both to appease the terrorists by granting them every concession they have asked for and 36 in attempting to control violence by increasing the number of soldiers and police. Despite all this, the violence continues to increase and is seen by everyone in Northern Ireland to be leading to a mounting toll of death and destruction.I submit that the matter is urgent because more and more reasonable and responsible people in Northern Ireland feel that unless the situation can be debated and ventilated in this House, now that Stormont has been suspended and there is no Parliament in Northern Ireland where these grievances can be ventilated, the only alternative is a situation which could deteriorate rapidly into civil war. Because of this and because of the absence of our democratic institutions in Northern Ireland, I can only pray that you will grant my request. I hope that even now it is not too late to debate the matter sensibly.
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Gentleman asks leave to move the Adjournment of the House, under Standing Order No. 9, for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that should have urgent consideration, namely,
The serious rioting and civil disorder in Belfast last night, which resulted in the death of two civilians, and the deteriorating security stuation throughout the Province, which has been aggravated by a new phase of unrest and violence in hitherto peaceful areas.The hon. Gentleman was courteous enough to give me considerable notice of his intention. I have therefore had good opportunity to consider the matter. I have also considered the exchanges which took place at Question Time. I have listened to the weighty arguments which the hon. Gentleman has put forward. My decision is purely procedural. I have to decide whether to give his Motion precedence over other business. I am afraid that I cannot grant his application.