ANGOLA AND SOUTHERN AFRICA (Hansard, 16 February 1976)

§ Mr. Eldon Griffiths
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 threat to peace in Angola and Southern Africa. 956 That this is an important matter can hardly be in doubt. All threats to peace are important, and in this case we have seen something unique—namely, the airlifting of a large Cuban army from the Caribbean to Central Africa, the equipping of that army with heavy weapons by the Soviet Union and the conquest on behalf of the MPLA of a large, rich African country.
The importance of this for Britain is self-evident, as is the responsibility of Her Majesty's Ministers to comment thereon. The House claims to be responsible for Rhodesia, against which the Cubans and the Russians now say in terms that they intend to proceed. Commonwealth Prime Ministers have also forecast that within a short time there will be, to quote the words of one, "a bloodbath in Rhodesia". The people of Rhodesia, black as well as white, are Her Majesty's subjects, and legally their security is the responsibility of the House. We also have substantial trade and investment interests in Southern Africa and large numbers of citizens to protect. I suggest that the matter is clearly of importance.
I turn to the question whether it is urgent. There is evidence that it is. President Kaunda has forecast civil war in Rhodesia soon. The President of Tanzania has said that we are at the beginning of a war to the death in the British territory. For the British people in Rhodesia, and indeed for all those of our constituents who depend for their trade, investment and employment on our relations with Southern Africa, this is a matter of the greatest urgency.
Is it specific? I wish to make three specific suggestions. The first is that the Prime Minister should make it his business at once to go to see President Ford so that there shall be a common Western approach to the problem. Secondly, I suggest that the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs should here and now seek a meeting of the Council of Ministers of the European Economic Community to coordinate our collective attitude to the MPLA and to the risk of war involving all our countries in that area. Thirdly, I wish specifically to propose that our delegation to the United Nations should at once seek to raise this problem in the Security Council as a threat to peace. It is, I suggest, perfectly specific.
957 Finally, Mr. Speaker, the question for you, as always, is whether it should take precedence over other important business before the House. There is important business—drivers' hours, the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Bill [Lords] and, as we have heard, whether the clock showed one minute to four or one minute past. There are many hon. Members who believe that the clock in Southern Africa now shows something closer to one minute to midnight and that the House should consider this matter as urgent, important and specific, and that we should do it now.

§ Mr. Speaker
The hon. Member for Bury St. Edmunds (Mr. Griffiths) asks leave to move the Adjournment of the House for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter which he thinks should have urgent consideration, namely, the new situation in which one British territory, Rhodesia, and two member countries of the Commonwealth are, or could, quickly become embroiled.
As the House knows, under Standing Order No. 9 I am directed to take into account the several factors set out in the Order but to give no reasons for my decision. I have given careful consideration to the representations which the hon. Gentleman has made, but I have to rule that his submission does not fall within the provisions of Standing Order No. 9 and, therefore, I cannot submit his application to the House.

§ Mr. Goodhew
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Is it not the case that normally the matter under a Standing Order 9 application would, if granted, come before the House the following 958 day? Is not this subject more important than the Secretary of State for Industry's extra £1,000 which we are to debate tomorrow?

§ Mr. Speaker
I thank the hon. Gentleman for his support, but he will recollect that my ruling is given on what is laid down in Standing Order No. 9.