HC Deb 20 October 1971 vol 823 cc737-8
Mr. Frank McManus (Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

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 which should have urgent consideration, namely, the arrest of Cerian O'Kane, a lecturer of Queen's University, Belfast, and the behaviour of the British Army in holding the Students' Union under siege. This specific matter is important because the British Army, by using the Special Powers Act to lay siege to the Students' Union at Queen's University just because some speakers inside wanted to speak against the Common Market, is committing a serious breach of academic freedom which could have repercussions elsewhere in student bodies throughout these Islands.

It is important because it lends further credence to the allegation of brutality by the British Army and because an eminent surgeon who has experience of the British Army and who was formerly with the Colonial Office has gone on record to say that he has examined detainees who had suffered torture.

This application should have urgent consideration because allegations of torture will adversely affect the negotiations regarding the Common Market. This matter has already brought the Government into disrepute in international circles and a case may shortly be brought in Strasbourg. A prominent politician in America has publicly stated that the British Army should withdraw its forces from the North of Ireland.

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member for Fermanagh and South Tyrone (Mr. McManus) 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 attention, namely, the arrest of Cerian O'Kane, a lecturer of Queen's University, Belfast, and the behaviour of the British Army in holding the Students' Union under siege. The hon. Member was kind enough to give me notice some time ago that he intended to make this application.

The matter is for me to decide. My decision does not reflect upon the sincerity with which the hon. Member puts forward the application. Under the Standing Order I have to take the decision. I am afraid that I cannot give his application precedence.