§ Mr. GranvilleIn view of the fact that the right hon. Gentleman the Prime Minister is not to make a statement with regard to the Far East at this, the first Sitting of the Imperial Parliament since his return from across the Atlantic, I have given you notice, Mr. Speaker, that I would ask leave to move the Adjournment of House of Commons on a matter of definite and urgent public importance, namely, the sending of adequate air reinforcements for the defence of Singapore, and for the purpose of obtaining assurances from His Majesty's Government to the people of this country, Australia and the British Empire that this is being done. I ask your permission to move that Motion.
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Member has begged leave to move the Adjournment of the House on a definite a matter of urgent public importance, namely, the sending of adequate air reinforcements for the defence of Singapore, and for the purpose of obtaining assurances from His Majesty's Government to the people of this country, Australia and the British Empire that this is being done. I am afraid I cannot give leave for that Motion to be moved, because it really does not fulfil the conditions of Standing Order No. 8 which is meant to apply to matters which have suddenly become urgent. No doubt this is a very urgent matter, but it has been urgent for some time, and that particular Standing Order is meant to apply in cases where an emergency has just arisen, and, moreover, it is meant to apply to cases which can only be discussed immediately or not at all. In this particular case we have already been told that the matter is to be debated fully in a short time.
§ Mr. GranvilleWith the greatest respect for your Ruling, Mr. Speaker, as I consider that the situation in Singapore is so grave and serious, should not this Imperial Parliament take this opportunity, which is the first opportunity since the return of the Prime Minister, to ask the Government for an assurance that aircraft will be sent immediately, particularly fighter aircraft, to the Far East? I submit that this is the first opportunity I have had to raise this matter, which is a serious and grave matter because of the fact that Singapore is likely to be invested in the near future. I submit to you, Sir, that 209 this is a matter of definite and urgent public importance. The shortage of aircraft in Singapore is a definite fact according to statements in the "Times" newspaper yesterday, and according to Press statements made by Mr. Curtin and by the War Council in Australia.
§ Mr. SpeakerThese are matters which no doubt are questions for discussion, but they are not matters on which I can agree to have a Motion for the Adjournment of the House. I am afraid I cannot agree to allow the hon. Member to have permission to move the Adjournment, because, as I have told him, the conditions do not fulfil what is laid down under Standing Order 8, which is the only Standing Order under which I could give him leave to move the Adjournment.
§ Mr. GranvilleWith the greatest respect for your Ruling, may I ask you, Mr. Speaker, for your guidance on this? The Prime Minister has been away from this country for a month. Time after time we have asked for assurances from Cabinet Ministers during his absence, and we have been unable to obtain them. This is the first opportunity which the Imperial Parliament, which has a grave and great responsibility to the British Empire, has to get an assurance and are we not, under Standing Order 8, justified or in Order in asking that the Prime Minister shall now, in view of the representations made in Washington by Mr. Curtin, give an assurance that aircraft will be sent from this country to the assistance of the troops fighting in defence of Singapore?
§ Mr. SpeakerIt is quite in Order for the hon. Member to put his Question in that way, but I am afraid I cannot grant him leave under Standing Order 8.