HC Deb 16 February 1977 vol 926 cc519-21
Mr. Alexander W. Lyon

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 proposed deportations of Mr. Agee and Mr. Hosenball. The urgency and importance of this matter cannot be doubted since these men will be deported in a very short time without any debate in the House unless this procedure is adopted.

Since the matter is well known to you, Mr. Speaker, I need delay the House only to argue two matters. The first is that, when the House took away the right of appeal in these cases in 1971, the then Home Secretary, the right hon. Member for Chipping Barnet (Mr. Maudling), said, in introducing the new procedure of "the three wise men", that he felt there was a difficulty if it appeared that these decisions were justiciable legal decisions; they were executive political decisions subject to the House of Commons and not to the courts of law. In the light of that assurance, it is right that the House should consider whether, in this case, these two men have been treated justly and fairly.

It has been argued here today that they are visitors to Britain and not British subjects. But, even as visitors, they have some rights.

The security of the State, though an important consideration for us all, is only as important as that which we are trying to protect, which is the nature of our democracy and the way in which we treat people who are minorities.

The second matter is perhaps even more important. This is the first contested case since 1971 when these new procedures were introduced. Because of that, there is great concern about the way in which the procedures have operated in this case. It is clear from the speech of the right hon. Member for Chipping Barnet that the intention was to operate these procedures in a way very different from that which has been operated in this case. I submit, therefore, that the House should consider whether these procedures should continue and whether they have been operated properly in relation to these proposed deportations.

I urge, therefore, that this is an appropriate matter for consideration under Standing Order No. 9.

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member for York (Mr. Lyon) 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 proposed deportations of Mr. Agee and Mr. Hosenball. I listened with great care to the exchanges in the House earlier this afternoon, and obviously I know of the strong feeling in the House. But I have to take into account the several factors set out in the Order and to give no reasons for my decision.

I have given careful consideration to the representations of the 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.