§ Mr. CraigI 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 emergency caused by the dispute with the fire services in Northern Ireland.This is a matter which puts at risk to an even greater extent the lives and property of the people of Northern Ireland. Such a matter can never be dismissed as unimportant or lacking in 429 urgency. It arises out of action taken by firemen in the Northern Ireland Fire Service who are in dispute with their employers over a matter of pay.Unhappily, because of the way in which that dispute has developed, the firemen have felt it necessary to withdraw fire cover in all incidents arising out of terrorist action affecting commercial property and places of public entertainment. They have said—and I believe they mean it—that they will do what they can to see that fires which would put life at risk will be covered. But how can anyone judge whether a fire will put life at risk? Any fire is a potential risk to life. No matter how good their intentions are, unless something is done speedily, a most unnecessary tragedy could occur in Northern Ireland.
This is an avoidable risk. I should like the House to consider urgently what we can do to remove the additional risk. It is not enough to say that the Army can give some assistance.
I know that I may not debate the issue now, but it would be wrong to dismiss this as just another pay dispute or as the action of some wildcat men. These are men who have bravely and courageously served the community in very difficult circumstances, in a war situation, for about eight years now. Some of them have been shot at and some killed while attending fires. They have done their job without complaint or reservation. The fact that they now take this action calls for investigation at the highest level. It is a matter of confidence. I believe that the House would consider it such and would agree that if the Government would intervene, this problem could be solved. That is why I ask that the House should be able to consider this matter.
§ Mr. SpeakerThe right hon. Member for Belfast, East (Mr. Craig) 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 emergency caused by the dispute with the fire services in Northern Ireland.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. The right hon. Gentleman gave me notice this morning that he would be raising this matter and I have given careful thought to it. But I have to rule that the right hon. Gentleman's submission does not fall within the provisions of the Standing Order. Therefore, I cannot submit his application to the House.