§ Mr. BrooksI 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 increase in the extramural development cost estimates of the Concorde and the need for more adequate parliamentary control over such expenditure.I shall be very brief, Sir. The facts speak for themselves. It is obvious that Concorde has become a licence to spend money—taxpayers' money—on a most speculative and uncertain venture. Nothing could be more specific than the facts: an escalation over three years in gross terms of £280 million, on top of an escalation of £220 million between 1964 and 1966, and on top of an escalation of £100 million between 1962 and 1964—[Interruption.]
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. The hon. Gentleman is submitting to Mr. Speaker what he believes to be a serious point. I must hear him before I can rule.
§ Mr. BrooksThe figures which have been given to us this afternoon leave out of account altogether the very substantial costs, running into tens of millions of pounds, which themselves have substantially escalated, in intramural expenditure. We used to have a saying, "The sky is the limit." It would appear that Concorde long ago passed through the stratosphere.
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. The hon. Gentleman must not debate his submission or the points which he would wish to make if I were to grant his submission.
§ Mr. BrooksThe basic point which I would put to you, Sir, is that this involves a problem of parliamentary scrutiny, parliamentary surveillance and public accountability.
When we consider that, taking account of the charges imposed by devaluation and increased costs, there has been a net increase in the last three years of about £1 million per week or £140,000 per day, we can only wonder why we get so excited about teeth and spectacles.
It seems to me that this is a matter of great urgency. It may well be a unique 455 matter in view of the terms of the Concorde treaty. But we should know where we are going, and whether there is a ceiling on this expenditure and, if so, on what conditions.
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Gentleman was courteous enough to inform me this morning that, after listening to the replies of the Minister of Technology, he might seek to move the Adjournment of the House 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 increase in the extramural development cost estimates of the Concorde and the need for more adequate parliamentary control over such expenditure.I listened carefully to the exchange at Question Time and to the hon. Gentleman's submission, and I have given careful consideration to all the points. But I must rule that his submission does not fall within the provisions of the revised Standing Order. Therefore, I cannot submit his application to the House.