HC Deb 03 March 1977 vol 927 cc639-41
Mr. Prescott

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 implications, particularly those relating to safety, affecting the 'Globtik Venus' in consequence of the dispute involving the use of armed mercenaries while the ship was berthed at Le Havre." The House will be aware, from the many Press reports that have been received, of the deplorable armed attack by a mercenary force, recruited in this country, particularly on some parts of Humberside, which is even more deplorable, and shipped to France to attack the crew of a British vessel and threaten the safety of that ship.

The matter is specific in that the vessel is a British ship under the jurisdiction of this House. The laws of this country apply to that ship even though the vessel is in French waters. An alarming aspect of the case is that the armed attack apparently took place with the co-operation of the French authorities.

It is crucial that the House should debate this matter because even now the vessel, which is a large tanker and which is in a highly dangerous condition, does not have on board sufficient skilled personnel to keep the ship safe and free from explosions and fire. The chief engineer has been on his feet for 24 hours, without any skilled assistance, attempting to maintain the safety of the vessel.

This matter raises an issue of considerable importance within the control of the House, namely the difference in wages between coloured seamen and white seamen, which is part of the source of this dispute. The difference is due to legislation passed in this House which allows shipowners to maintain differentials between coloured and white seafarers doing the same job on British ships.

Moreover, the public statement made by the owner, Mr. Tikkoo, made clear that he hired this highly-organised private army, equipped with two-way radios and axes, and appears to have committed an act of conspiracy that makes the activities of the Shrewsbury pickets and the dockers on the small wharves pale into insignificance.

The introduction of private armies into industrial relations matters could create a serious escalation of industrial disputes in this country, and can only lead to greater violence. It is essential that the House debates urgently the action necessary to maintain the proper safety of this vessel and to prevent further violence and chaos in industrial relations.

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull, East (Mr. Prescott) 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.

I remind the House that I am not called upon to decide whether a matter is important. I am called upon to decide only whether it shall take precedence over business tonight or, in this case, on Monday next.

As the House knows, under Standing Order No. 9 I take into account all the factors set out under the Standing Order but I give no reason for my decision. I have listened very carefully to the hon. Gentleman and, although I have no doubt about the importance of the matter that he has raised, I have to rule that it does not fall within the provisions of Standing Order No. 9 and therefore I cannot submit his application to the House.