HC Deb 25 January 1977 vol 924 cc1197-8
Mr. Grylls

I beg to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House, under Standing Order No. 9, for the purpose of discussing an important matter that should have urgent consideration, namely, the resignations, announced today, of the three senior executives of the Organising Committee of British Shipbuilders and the failure of the Government to deal constructively with the problems of the shipbuilding industry. The matter is specific because, much as we should have disliked it, British Shipbuilders would have been set up by now had it not been for the stubborn and doctrinaire attitude adopted by the Secretary of State for Industry in refusing to drop the nationalisation of ship repairing companies.

The matter is important for two reasons. Following the resignation of Mr. Graham Day, the chief executive, on 9th December and now the resignations of the three senior executives, there is to all intents and purposes no proper Organising Committee. In addition, many firms in the shipbuilding industry and, perhaps even more important, many jobs are now seriously at risk because the Government are not taking action. There is also the Government's obdurate refusal to use the Industry Act, which specifically provided for Government aid to shipbuilding firms when necessary.

The matter is urgent because I understand that the Government are preparing contingency plans to set up a holding company for existing State-controlled firms. This is being put forward as an alternative to nationalisation. If this is so, all hon. Members will want to debate those alternative proposals urgently.

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member for Surrey, North-West (Mr. Grylls) gave me notice this morning that he would be seeking to make an application under Standing Order No. 9 this afternoon.

The hon. Gentleman 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 resignations, announced today, of the three senior executives of the Organising Committee of British Shipbuilders and the failure of the Government to deal constructively with the problems of the shipbuilding industry. I have given thought to the matter and have listened carefully to what the hon. Gentleman said, 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.

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