HC Deb 06 May 1968 vol 764 cc47-8
Mr. Tilney

On a point of order. I 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 closure of the Gibraltar frontier by the Government of Spain to all except Spaniards. This closure happened just over the weekend, and there is no likelihood, as far as I can see, of an immediate debate on the Gibraltar question, There has been criticism that, with so much work upstairs in Committee, the House is not debating matters of great public concern on the Floor. Surely this is a matter of public concern, not only to Gibraltar, but to the people of Britain, too.

I saw something of the effect on the economy of Gibraltar earlier this year, though not, except for very few cases, on the morale of the Gibraltarians. This is a serious position for Gibraltar and for Britons in Spain at the start of the tourist season. It is a new development, and there may be worse to come unless strong measures are taken; hence my application.

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Gentleman asks leave to move the Adjournment of the House for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that he thinks should have urgent consideration, namely, the closure of the Gibraltar frontier by the Government of Spain to all except Spaniards. I am satisfied that the matter raised by the hon. Gentleman is proper to be discussed under Standing Order No. 9. Does the hon. Gentleman have the leave of the House?

The leave of the House having been given—

Leave having been given, the Motion for the Adjournment of the House will now stand over until the commencement of public business tomorrow, when a debate on the matter will take place for three hours.

This is as provided for under the terms of the revised Standing Order No. 9 as agreed to by the House on 14th November, 1967.

The Motion stood over under Standing Order No. 9 (Adjournment on specific and important matter that should have urgent consideration) until the commencement of public business tomorrow.