HC Deb 08 June 1971 vol 818 cc876-7
Mr. McManus

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 disclosure by the Minister of Defence that it is intended to create a full-time regiment within the existing Ulster Defence Regiment. I raise this matter at the earliest opportunity because it is of the utmost importance for one or two reasons, namely, since the Press carried the story at the weekend there has been no satisfactory clarification coming from the Ministry of Defence, and since the notorious Mr. Craig, a member of a House in another place, appeared to have advance notice of the plan, both factors have created in the public mind in Northern Ireland great confusion, and, given the state of Northern Ireland at the moment, confusion is not only undesirable but very dangerous.

The matter is of great urgency, because the minority fears that the proposal may mean a return of the B Specials or worse still, the resurrection of some force similar to the hated Black-and-Tans. This is a fear which could reach panic proportions unless there are categorical assurances to the contrary.

The matter is of the utmost urgency, because the minority now feels that the British Government have broken faith and, contrary to stated policy, are now conniving in some way in the hard-line policies of the Unionist Government. I therefore ask the House to adjourn in order to discuss this urgent, important and specific matter.

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member for Fermanagh and South Tyrone (Mr. McManus) begs to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter which he thinks should have urgent consideration, namely, The disclosure by the Minister of Defence that it is intended to create a full-time regiment within the existing Ulster Defence Regiment. I have already referred to the terms of the Standing Order, and I think that one of the other matters I am entitled to take into consideration is what matter is to be debated on the actual day when such an application as this is made. I am afraid that in the circumstances I am unable to submit the application to the House.

Mr. Kaufman

Further to the request made by my hon. Friend the Member for Fermanagh and South Tyrone (Mr. McManus), Mr. Speaker, and to your Ruling, would it be in order to ask that one of the Ministers taking part in today's debate should make a statement on the subject about which my hon. Friend has asked?

Mr. Speaker

That is not a point for me, but no doubt the matter will be noted.