§ Mr. HefferI also 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, namely,
the meeting between Sir John Donaldson, the Chairman of the National Industrial Relations Court, and the Engineering Employers Federation—which is a potential party to litigation before that judge—on 22nd March 1973.This fact calls into question the impartiality and political nature of the court.I have no intention of detaining the House for long but I am certain that hon. Members will recognise that this is a matter of the greatest importance and one which deserves urgent consideration 1024 in view of the relationship which has always existed in this country between the law and those who appear before the law. It is a matter which the House should discuss at the earliest possible moment. The House should look at the whole fabric of the National Industrial Relations Court and the discussions that have taken place between employers' representatives and the chairman of the court.
§ Mr. SpeakerI am grateful to the hon. Member for the way in which he put his point. I was not given notice of his intention until during Question Time today. Under the terms of the Standing Order I think that he should have given me notice before twelve o'clock, so I should be right in reaching my decision on that ground alone. However, I go further and say that I do not think that this is a matter for a Standing Order No. 9 debate.