ROLLS-ROYCE LIMITED (Hansard, 4 February 1971)

§ Mr. Thorpe
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 made today about the future of Rolls-Royce, the grave and direct impact which this announcement has already made upon sterling, its general economic significance for Britain as a whole, the uncertainty as to which sections of Rolls-Royce will be taken over by Her Majesty's Govern- 1944 ment and, not least, the employment prospects of many thousands of workers in Rolls-Royce and other companies who will consequently be affected. On this occasion, it is not necessary to say more than a few words by way of support. I do not think that I need persuade you, Mr. Speaker, or anyone in this House that the matter is specific, important and urgent. Since you may have paragraph (4) of Standing Order No. 9 in mind—namely, the possibility that the matter will be brought before the House in time—I am also aware that the Leader of the House has said that he will use his best endeavours to arrange for a debate on this matter next Thursday. I have no reason to doubt the right hon. Gentleman's sincerity or his wish to fulfil that hope, but the fact remains that Rolls-Royce, however disastrous its management may have been, is synonymous in the world with the prestige and quality of British industry, and the gravity of today's statement has already caused sterling to suffer a severe setback in the world's markets. It has also thrown into doubt the economic competence of the country, a matter that every right hon. and hon. Member will deplore, but it is a fact.
To the outside world, all that can be seen is that successive Governments have in one case granted £47 million and in another case promised £42 million as launching costs for a project which is totally uneconomic. This has been done in the first place with the full support of a British Government and in the second place as an expression of intent by a British Government, subject to accountancy reports and figures.
In view of the gravity of the situation, in view of the uncertainty about which sections the Government will take over and in view of the effect this will have upon the employment prospects of many thousands of people, unless this House of Commons is merely a cypher for the Executive I suggest that it will not do to say that the Leader of the House has said that he will try to arrange a debate next week. In my submission, this House should have a full debate at the earliest possible moment, and the only way in which that can be ensured is by seeking leave to move the Adjournment of the House under Standing Order No. 9. I respectfully urge you, Mr. Speaker, to agree to that.

§ Mr. Speaker
The right 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 made today about the future of Rolls-Royce, the grave and direct impact which this announcement has already made upon sterling, its general economic significance for Britain as a whole and the uncertainty as to which sections of Rolls-Royce will be taken over by Her Majesty's Government, and, not least, the employment prospects of many thousands of workers in Rolls-Royce and other companies who will consequently be affected. I am satisfied that the matter raised by the right hon. Gentleman is proper to be discussed under Standing Order No. 9. Does the right hon. Gentleman have the leave of the House?

§ Mr. Speaker
The Motion for the Adjournment of the House will now stand over until the commencement of public business on Monday afternoon, when a debate on the matter will take place for three hours under Standing Order No. 9 (2).