HC Deb 18 February 1976 vol 905 cc1291-2
Mr. Farr

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 situation in Angola and particularly the announcement by the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary today that the Government have decided to recognise the MPLA". The first information that any of us had of this matter was at 13.23 hours today when it appeared on the tape. In my belief, the matter is both specific and important. The situation in Angola has now deteriorated to such an extent that the whole of Southern Africa is at risk—not just South Africa and Rhodesia but countries such as Zaire, Zambia and Malawi. They are at risk from invasion by Cubans backed up by Russians.

The matter could hardly need more urgent consideration. The House should urgently consider—it may already be too late—what the Government are doing about this matter and what they have done at the United Nations. The Government should be called upon to explain to the House why they recognised the MPLA. It hardly enjoys universal support in that country. What assurances have the Government received from the MPLA——

Mr. Speaker

Order. The hon. Gentleman must not argue the issue now. He should submit his case for this subject taking precedence.

Mr. Farr

I was about to conclude, Mr. Speaker. I thought it of relevance to point out that we should consider why the Government took this course and what assurances they received from the MPLA about the future of British interests in Southern Africa now and if and when that regime continues to hold sway.

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member 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 consideration, namely, the recognition of the Government of Angola". As the House knows, under Standing Order No. 9, I am directed to take into account the several factors set out in the Standing Order but to give no reason for my decision. I have listened carefully to the representations of the hon. Member, but I have to rule that his submission does not fall within the provisions of the Standing Order and that therefore I cannot submit his application to the House.