HC Deb 06 July 1976 vol 914 cc1165-7
Mr. Hugh Fraser

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 events at Entebbe". It has caused great amazement to many hon. Members that there has been no official Government statement in regard to the recent incidents at Entebbe airport. I believe that those events raise matters which are specific, important and urgent.

They are specific because the whole nation applauds what has happened. They are important for obvious reasons, and especially because of the agreement reached only last Saturday by the leaders of the EEC when it was agreed that there should immediately be a joint response to any act of terrorism, but a joint response has been totally lacking. They are urgent because no country is affected more than ours by the effects of terrorism.

The Prime Minister will have observed Early-Day Motions Nos. 498 and 499, signed by hon. Members on both sides of the House, which say in specific terms that the Government should offer their congratulations to the Israeli Government on their action and should condemn those who condone hijacking and acts of piracy. I believe that that is the general will of the people and that it is in the interests of the Government and of the House.

There is no question but that, unless there is international action on these matters, terrorism, far from being repressed, will increase. Therefore, I hope that the House will agree to deal with this matter under the Standing Order No. 9 procedure.

Unless the Prime Minister responds, perhaps I may be permitted to reverse his Latin quip by saying Timeo Gallos non dona ferentes. That means in Welsh "Fear the Welsh who bring nothing of value."

I believe that this is a serious matter which is of great concern to our people, who wish to applaud what the Israeli Government have done. We must show that there is international solidarity in the stand against terrorism, and this can be done only by a vote of confidence going out from Her Majesty's Government, and indeed by a vote of confidence going out from this House. Applause, please!

Mr. Speaker

The right hon. Member for Stafford and Stone (Mr. Fraser) 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 events at Entebbe. As the House knows, under Standing Order No. 9 I am directed to take account of the several factors set out in the Order, but to give no reason for my decision.

I have given careful consideration to all the representations made by the right hon. Gentleman, but I have to rule that his submission does not fall within the provisions of the Standing Order, and therefore I cannot submit his application to the House.

Later—

Mr. Faulds

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. It is an abuse of the Standing Orders of the House for an hon. Member to try to introduce a matter to condone international piracy. It should be known abroad—and certainly it should be known in this country—that many hon. Members disapprove—

Mr. Speaker

Order. I realise already that the hon. Gentleman is seeking to advance a point of view alternative to a point of view expressed through a Standing Order No. 9 application. It is not in order to do that. We cannot debate the matter.

Mr. Faulds

Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. I am trying to stop an abuse of the House. It is not in order for Members of the House to seek to introduce, under the device of Standing Order No. 9, a partisan interpretation of an action which may only be described in international law as piracy.

Mr. Speaker

I may tell the House at once that I have been worried for some time—I am not referring to this afternoon's application—about the way in which applications under Standing Order No. 9 are being made. It is no good raising points of order about this matter. I have ruled on the matter. I said that I did not give it precedence.