HC Deb 16 July 1969 vol 787 cc617-8
Mr. Murray

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 announcement by the International Printing Corporation of the proposed closure on 1st January. 1970, of the Sun newspaper". [Laughter.] I am sorry that any right hon. or hon. Members should laugh at the prospect of our losing another national newspaper, whatever their political views. Perhaps I ought to declare my interest as a member of the Society of Graphical and Allied Trades, the largest printing union. In case any other hon. Members laugh, I add that I am not a sponsored union member.

During the last few years, we have seen the disappearance of a large number of national—

Mr. Speaker

Order. We are not debating the subject which we shall debate if the hon. Gentleman is given leave under Standing Order No. 9. He must address himself to the reasons for his request under the Standing Order.

Mr. Murray

They are based, Mr. Speaker, on the immediate prospect that, w thin 100 days, which makes the matter urgent, we are to lose a national newspaper with a circulation of 1 million and employing about 2,000 people of many unions, including my own, the National Union of Journalists, and at least six or seven of the other national unions covering the printing industry. Again, to bring in a point showing urgency, the proposed closure of the Sun means that before long, if the House of Commons does not take some responsibility in the matter, our national newspapers will be governed by only two large newspaper empires, depriving the people of the diversity which they have come to expect from their national Press.

The Royal Commission on the Press and the Economist Intelligence Unit pointed out the dangers inherent in a very small Press. On those grounds, I urge acceptance of my request for an Adjournment debate under Standing Order No. 9.

Mr. Speaker

I learned at Question Time that the hon. Gentleman the Member for Gravesend (Mr. Murray) proposed to ask for an Adjournment debate under Standing Order No. 9. 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 announcement by the International Printing Corporation of the proposed closure on 1st January, 1970, of the Sun newspaper". As the House knows, under the revised Standing Order Mr. Speaker is directed to take into account the several factors set out in the Order, but to give no reason for his decision.

I have given careful consideration to the representation which the hon. Gentleman has made, but I have to rule that his submission does not fall within the provisions of the revised Standing Order, and I cannot, therefore, submit his application to the House.