HC Deb 13 May 1976 vol 911 cc680-1
Mr. Gow

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 letter dated 11th May 1976 from the Minister for Sport to the Secretary of the Cricket Council received by the Secretary this morning requesting that he should use his influence to stop the forthcoming tour of the Ridgebacks Cricket Club from Rhodesia—a tour due to start on Saturday, 15th May. This is a specific matter because this tour of Britain by a Rhodesian cricket team is due to begin on Saturday.

It is an important matter for two reasons. It is important because we need to establish whether we have government by request or government by the rule of law. It is important, too, because these cricketers are British subjects coming from a British Colony to Britain for a purpose which is not only lawful but also highly commendable, namely, to engage in the game of cricket.

There is the third element on which I have to satisfy you, Mr. Speaker. Is it an urgent matter? I submit that it is urgent, because the letter from the Minister for Sport was received by the secretary this morning, only 48 hours before this cricket tour, which has been arranged for months, is due to begin.

It is very important that the House should have an opportunity to debate now the request by the Minister to the supreme governing body of cricket in this country that the tour should be called off at such short notice.

For these reasons, I submit that this is a proper matter which should be discussed by this House and which should be given priority over this disreputable Finance Bill.

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member for Eastbourne (Mr. Gow) asks leave to move the Adjournment of the House, under Standing Order No. 9, for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that he thinks should have urgent consideration, namely, the letter dated 11th March, 1976 from the Minister for Sport to the Secretary of the Cricket Council requesting him to use his influence to stop the forthcoming tour of Britain by a cricket team from Rhodesia. 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 the representations which the hon. Gentleman has made, 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.