§ Mr. KilfedderI 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 need for an inquiry following the Government's announcement in today's OFFICIAL REPORT that the Irish Republican Army has been guilty of torture in many cases where the victims have been murdered.This matter is specific. We have had today for the very first time Government confirmation of gruesome rumours which have been rife for a considerable period in Northern Ireland about the ruthless behaviour of the IRA towards its victims, many tortured before death and in some 1140 cases mutilated after death. Until now, official spokesmen have always denied allegations of such behaviour by the IRA.The matter is important because the House can easily understand the immediate effect that such official confirmation will have upon public opinion in Northern Ireland at this time of great tension. It will add to the feeling of anger and resentment that such bestial behaviour is being perpetrated by the IRA. Such evil conduct highlights the importance of the struggle against the IRA as more and more of its true character is revealed.
The matter is of the utmost urgency. There has been a serious deterioration in the morale and patience of the law-abiding people of Northern Ireland who have borne the infliction of so many outrages with remarkable forbearance. Today's admission by the Government that torture has taken place makes it necessary immediately to establish a tribunal of inquiry to prevent a violent reaction in Ulster and to get at the truth, for it is the truth for which the people of Northern Ireland cry out. What is more, such a tribunal of inquiry is needed to dispel as quickly as possible those rumours which are untrue. No doubt there are many which are untrue, but they will grow if the Government refuse to give the truth.
Finally, my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Down, South (Capt. Orr) and my hon. Friend the Member for Antrim, North (Rev. Ian Paisley) have raised the case of Corporal Elliott, of the Ulster Defence Regiment, who is believed to have been tortured before being murdered, but they have been unsuccessful in getting a statement from the Government. I therefore ask you to give full consideration to this application.
§ Mr. SpeakerAgain I am obliged to the hon. Gentleman for having given me considerable notice of his intention to make this application. As I said yesterday in reply to a similar application, my decision in no way reflects upon the importance of the matters that have been raised.
I have considered the matter, and I do not think that it should be pursued by means of an emergency debate under Standing Order No. 9. I add the postscript, however, that I am considering 1141 urgently the points raised as points of order yesterday about the way to deal with these matters.
I cannot accept the application.