§ Mr. CormackI 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 threat to coal supplies arising from the present situation in the coalmining industry".34 I have no wish, Mr. Speaker, to exacerbate an already difficult and delicate situation, but I believe that this is a matter to which the House as a whole should have the opportunity of giving its early attention. That it is specific, important and urgent is readily apparent. It is urgent because each hour that now passes apparently brings the coal industry closer to serious disruption, if not total paralysis. It is of major public importance because anything which threatens the production of coal threatens all aspects of our daily life—industrial, commercial and social. The matter is specific because the situation which faces us has been brought about by an initiation of a certain course of industrial action this very day.
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Member for Cannock (Mr. Cormack) gave me notice last night of his intention to move his application. I already have particulars of the application, and the hon. Gentleman need not bring it to the Table.
The hon. Gentleman 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 considerations, namely,
The threat to coal supplies arising from the present situation in the coalmining industry".As the hon. Gentleman gave me notice of this matter last night, I have had plenty of time to think over the matter. I am not allowed to give my reasons, but I am satisfied that the matter raised by the hon. Member is suitable to be discussed under Standing Order No. 9.Does the hon. Member have the leave of the House?
§ The leave of the House having been given—
§ Mr. SpeakerUnder Standing Order No. 9, the motion for the Adjournment of the House will now stand over until the commencement of public business tomorrow, when a debate on the matter will take place for three hours.