HC Deb 15 March 1973 vol 852 cc1498-9
Mr. John Silkin

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 demand of the BMA for a full inquiry into the pay and structure of the ancillary hospital staff, and the concurrence of the National Union of Public Employees in that demand". The matter is clearly specific. The demand of the BMA and the concurrence with the National Union of Public Employees in such an inquiry could not be more specific. It is important since it concerns the running of the hospital services of this country, and it is clearly a matter for urgent consideration because unless the present unhappy dispute is resolved, and resolved quickly, the hospital services of this country are likely to come to a grinding halt.

Mr. Speaker

The right hon. Gentleman was kind enough to give me notice that he would make this application. I must tell the House that I find the exercise of this discretion of mine exceedingly troublesome because there are many important matters that need debating. I have another application under the same Standing Order later today, and they arise almost all the time.

What I have to decide, because it is very important that the House should conduct its business according to a fixed programme known beforehand, is whether I should disrupt the programme already fixed and announced, and on which questions have been asked, and allow what is called an emergency debate. I am very sorry, but I cannot grant this application.

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