SHARMAN NEWSPAPER GROUP (INDUSTRIAL DISPUTE) (Hansard, 3 July 1975)

§ Sir David Renton (Huntingdonshire)

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 current dispute between Sharman Newspaper Group and the National Graphical Association". This is a specific matter because it is admitted that there is a dispute with, admittedly, damaging implications. It is an important matter because first of all it affects censorship and the freedom of the Press; secondly, because of the methods which admittedly have been used by the National Graphical Association; and thirdly, because, in spite of the efforts made by the Department of Employment, the dispute runs the risk of becoming a national one.

It is urgent and has become more so since the statement of the Minister of State this afternoon. Normally I would not rise to seek an Adjournment under Standing Order No. 9 when conciliation machinery is being pursued. However, on this occasion it was made clear that the attempts so far made have been unsuccessful, and it seems to me—and I trust 1693 that it will commend itself to you as well, Mr. Speaker—that both parties in this matter would greatly benefit from knowing the views of all hon. Members.

Therefore, in spite of the fact that the conciliation machinery is to be further used, I submit that this is a good reason for having such a discussion.

The only other point I would add—because it may affect your discretion, Mr. Speaker—is that I am conscious of the fact that we have a timetable motion today. However, if we do not raise these matters when they are urgent, we may not be able to raise them at all. The fact that there is a timetable motion should not inhibit the House from exercising its rights.