BRITISH ARMY OF THE RHINE (Hansard, 26 October 1976)

§ Mr. Mayhew
I beg to move the Adjournment of the House, under Standing Order No. 9, for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter of which I have given you notice, Mr. Speaker, that should have urgent consideration; namely The bringing into question by the Prime Minister of the continued commitment of BAOR to NATO in a public interview on 'Panorama' last night. This matter is specific in that it relates to the continued deployment of the British Army of the Rhine. It is self-evidently important and it ought to have urgent consideration in that the commitment of Rhine Army to NATO is vital for the safety of this country.

§ Mr. Speaker
Before I give my decision may I say that that is the way to present an application under Standing Order No. 9, rather than making a long speech.
The hon. and learned Member asks to move the Adjournment of the House for the purpose of discussing an important matter that he thinks should have urgent consideration, namely The continued deployment of the British Army of the Rhine. 275 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 merely have to decide whether the issue raised should have precedence over the other business of the House.
I have given careful consideration to the representations made by the hon. and learned Member but I have to rule that his submission does not fall within the provisions of the Standing Order and I cannot, therefore, submit his application to the House.

§ Mr. Amery
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. With very great respect and while in no way challenging your ruling, may I ask whether you have taken into account—

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. The right hon. Gentleman knows that I have taken everything into account and that it is not customary to challenge Mr. Speaker on a question of this sort. I hope that he is not seeking to do so.

§ Mr. Amery
It would not cross my mind to challenge your ruling, Mr. 276 Speaker. I only wanted to inquire whether a particularly relevant consideration had been brought to your notice, namely that there is a treaty commitment—

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. This matter cannot be pursued, because the right hon. Gentleman is seeking indirectly to challenge the decision I have given to the House.