§ Mr. SpeakerI understand that the hon. Member for Surrey, North-West (Mr. Grylls) wishes to make an application under Standing Order No. 9 with regard to the safety of British subjects in Vietnam.
I have pointed out to the hon. Gentleman that the Foreign Office is first to be dealt with in Question Time tomorrow and that there will be four Questions on Vietnam which will enable the matter to be dealt with.
I cannot stop the hon. Gentleman making his application, but I must say that I think it is an abuse of the rules of order.
§ Mr. GryllsWith great respect, Mr. Speaker, I hope that you will allow me to make a brief statement because the situation is changing hourly.
This is why 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 safety of British subjects in Vietnam".Few matters could be more specific than the safety of our own subjects following the bare-faced aggression by the North Vietnamese—the "Commies". 235 The matter is imminent because people will want to know Her Majesty's Government's policy and will want to hear whether the Government propose joint action with the United States and France to evacuate people from Saigon.The matter is important because many people want to know what the Western world is doing to protect Vietnam, a nation which will face cold-blooded murder if the Communists take over.
The matter is urgent—and this point relates particularly to your opening comments, Mr. Speaker—because I believe it should be raised today. I fully understand that foreign affairs Questions are due to be dealt with tomorrow, but by then it might all be over. The situation is worsening hourly. People in this country want to know right now what action the Government are taking to protect our subjects there. For these reasons, it is important that there should be a debate, and perhaps also the possibility of British initiative.
I intend no discourtesy in raising this matter now, Mr. Speaker, and I hope that in the exceptional circumstances of the situation in South Vietnam you will give the matter consideration and allow leave to be given.
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Member for Surrey, North-West seeks to make an application under Standing Order No. 9 for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that he thinks should have urgent consideration, namely
the safety of British subjects in Vietnam".I certainly will not hold it against the hon. Gentleman that he went against my advice in pursuing his application. I am afraid the answer must be "No", and I am confident that the hon. Gentleman will guess my reasons.