HC Deb 25 November 1971 vol 826 cc1566-7
Mr. Paget

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 Foreign Secretary's statement on Rhodesia. It seems to me that an immediate short debate should be granted in order that we may perhaps make up for a somewhat curtailed period of questions. I had not expected the right hon. Gentleman to succeed where my right hon. Friend the Member for Huyton (Mr. Harold Wilson) himself no mean negotiator, had failed in persuading the Rhodesia Front, which after all had profited so much both politically and economically, from the tight Rhodesia economy that resulted from sanctions, particularly when the burden of those sanctions has been felt—

Mr. Clinton Davis

On a point of order.

Mr. Paget

I am on a point of order. Sit down!

Mr. Speaker

Order. It is for me to put hon. Members in their places. When I think that the hon. and learned Gentleman has used this opportunity to ask the supplementary question he wanted to ask I may perhaps raise the matter of order myself.

Mr. Paget

Especially as the Africans were carrying the burden of those sanctions, I feel that it was a very remarkable achievement to have—[Interruption.]

Mr. Speaker

Order. The hon. and learned Gentleman must not make the speech which he would make if his application were successful.

Mr. Paget

Mr. Speaker, I simply add that what seems to me to be a highly important question is that we should be assured that if all public opinion in Rhodesia believes this to be for their benefit, we should not be frustrated by a league of nations, of which members—

Mr. Speaker

Order. The hon. and learned Gentleman has gone far beyond the case for an emergency debate. He should bring his Motion to the Table.

The hon. and learned Member for Northampton (Mr. R. T. Paget) asks leave to move the Adjournment of the House under Standing Order No. 9 for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter which he thinks should have urgent consideration, namely, the Foreign Secretary's statement on Rhodesia. This is an application under Standing Order No. 9. The matter is for my decision. I regret that I cannot grant the hon. and learned Gentleman's application.