§ Mr. DalyellI 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 granting of asylum to Mr. Fedoseyev of the Soviet Union.It is a long tradition in this country that we accept those whose political opinions may lead them into difficulties in their own country. In this, we go back as far as Lenin. The urgent and specific matter is not so much the granting of political asylum but the definite reports of so-called "de-briefing". I had hoped that this matter would have been raised at Question Time, but it was not reached. The matter is important because once we start de-briefing senior Soviet citizens then we put in jeopardy the whole of the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks. I hope, therefore, that there will be a statement from the Government clarifying the position and making clear exactly what the British position is.
Mr. Deputy SpeakerThe 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 granting of asylum to Mr. Fedoseyev of the Soviet Union.As the House knows, under Standing Order No. 9 Mr. Speaker is directed to take account of the several factors set out in the Order but to give no reason for his decision. I have given careful consideration to the representations that have been made, but I have to rule that the hon. Gentleman's submission does not fall within the provisions of the Standing Order and, therefore, I cannot submit his application to the House.