HC Deb 27 October 1976 vol 918 cc484-6
Mr. Michael McGuire

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 announcement today by Courtaulds that it will close the Skelmersdale factory which employs 1,000 people. The announcement itself is specific, and its importance cannot be exaggerated. Coming on top of the closure of the Thorne tube factory earlier this year, with the loss then of more than 1,350 jobs, it means that the male unemployment rate in the new town of Skelmersdale will increase to over 25 per cent. That is an unacceptable figure for any town, but in a new town like Skelmersdale it is a scandal.

Courtaulds was an oasis of employment in a desert of unemployment. If this closure goes ahead, Skelmersdale will be a wilderness. It will not be a new town it will be a ghost town, and the hopes of the thousands of workers encouraged to go to the new town will be blighted. They went to the new town, following Government policies, believing that Skelmersdale offered them the chance of a better life. I believe that the House needs as a matter of urgency to debate the Government's regional strategy and, above all, their economic strategy.

I know that I cannot debate the matter now in anticipation of your granting my application, Mr. Speaker, but bound up with the Government's economic and regional strategy is the question of import controls and other such important matters. It is essential for us to have the chance to debate this matter in the House, because the Government have the power—I want them to have the will—to prevent this closure.

I want the Government to give us the opportunity to debate these matters and to prevent calamity for some 1,000 people who were persuaded to go to Skelmersdale. It is the creature of Government and I want the Government to do something to help in this tragedy. That is why, Mr. Speaker, I hope that you will be able to grant my request.

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member for Ince (Mr. McGuire) has given me notice and 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 announcement, today by Courtaulds of the closure of their factory in the new town of Skelmersdale". As the House knows, I do not have to decide whether this matter should be debated. I have to decide whether it is to be given precedence over all other business. Under Standing Order No. 9 I am directed to take into account the several factors set out there but to give no reasons for my decision.

I have given careful consideration to the hon. Gentleman's representations, 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.