HC Deb 16 March 1961 vol 636 cc1771-2
Mr. Fell

With your permission, Mr. Speaker, and that of the House, I beg to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House under Standing Order No. 9 to discuss a definite matter of urgent public importance—

Mr. E. G. Willis (Edinburgh, East)

What, again?

Mr. Fell

Yes, again—namely, the failure of Her Majesty's Government to maintain, and at the Commonwealth Prime Ministers' Conference to establish, the convention that Commonwealth members have no right to interfere in the internal affairs of sovereign member States. I do not wish to take up the time of the House, particularly after the long time spent on this subject at Question Time this afternoon. It is certainly unnecessary for me to say anything about this wish of mine to adjourn the House on the grounds either of definiteness or public importance. For that it is definite is beyond all doubt that it is of public importance is, I should have said, also beyond all doubt. The only matter, therefore, which I particularly ask you, Mr. Speaker, to consider is the question of urgency.

I realise that the Prime Minister has said this afternoon that there will be a debate on an unspecified day next week, but it is my belief that the British Parliament—which, on a matter of this gravity, has always shown its greatness in being able to give full and steady advice—should have an opportunity of meeting to discuss this matter before the Prime Ministers' Conference finishes on Monday next week. If the debate is not to be held until a day, which at the moment is unknown, next week the Prime Ministers will have gone back to their countries and will never meet again before South Africa has left the Commonwealth on 31st May.

This is a matter of such overwhelming importance, it is of such tragic complication, it holds so many complexities for the future, that I appeal to you to allow the House to give its views whilst the Commonwealth Prime Ministers are still here in London and still meeting. If those views are given when they have dispersed and gone home, they will not have the impact that they would have if it were possible to have done so whilst they were still in London. I beg you to consider giving an opportunity for this matter to be debated.

Mr. Speaker

I have a copy of the Motion, but I think that, strictly speaking, the hon. Member has to bring it to me. Therefore, will he be good enough to do so?

Copy of Motion handed in.

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member asks leave to move the Adjournment of the House under Standing Order No. 9 to discuss a definite matter of urgent public importance, namely, the failure of Her Majesty's Government to maintain, and at the Commonwealth Prime Ministers' Conference to establish, the convention that Commonwealth members have no right to interfere in the internal affairs of sovereign member States. I wish to express my gratitude to the hon. Member for giving me warning of this Motion and, in particular, of the precise amended terms of his Motion, but I am clearly of the opinion that I have no power to treat it as being one within the Standing Order, so I cannot accede to his application.

Mr. P. Williams

Further to your Ruling, Mr. Speaker. Is it in order to ask for any particular reasons? It seems that my hon. Friend the Member for Yarmouth (Mr. Fell) has put forward a case well sustained in logic and argument—

Mr. Speaker

I have endeavoured to maintain a position in which I do not give reasons, because I know from experience that that results in argument. I can think of at least three reasons why this Motion is bad in order. I do not think that it would assist the House for me to suggest them.