§ Mr. FittI 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 security situation at the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, and the morale of the security staff at that hospital.The Royal Victoria Hospital is situated in my constituency. Over past years it has performed a signal, humane and compassionate service to the whole population both within Belfast and outside it. Like other public buildings, it has had to have security staff, and in a very difficult situation the hospital has been lucky in the type of personnel it has employed as security officers.Recently serious allegations have been made both within and outside Northern Ireland against the personnel employed as security officers. The allegations have 197 When it was alleged that the situation among security staff at the hospital was deteriorating, I went to the hospital. I met the chief security officer who, I believe, is not a political supporter of mine. He told me freely and under no compulsion that all of the allegations that have been made are completely unfounded. He suggested to me that any right hon. or hon. Member can go over the security files in the hospital to ascertain that there is no truth whatever in the suggestion that those security men are members or supporters of the Provisional IRA.
In these circumstances I thought it would be wise to ask the chief security officer to write me a letter. He did so and I am prepared to allow any hon. Member to read it.
When statements are made that have absolutely no foundation, when persons in Northern Ireland make statements that are blatant lies, it is the duty of this House, particularly in view of the dangerous situation in which the security personnel now find themselves, to take the opportunity to discuss those allegations.
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Member for Belfast, West (Mr. Fitt) was good enough to give me notice before 12 o'clock today that he would seek 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 security situation at the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, and the morale of the security staff at that hospital.I listened with great care to the hon. Gentleman. He knows that I do not have to decide whether the matter should be debated. I merely have to decide whether there should be an emergency debate. I fear that I have to rule that the hon. Gentleman's submission does not fall within the provisions of the Standing Order, and therefore I cannot submit his application to the House.