HC Deb 09 March 1978 vol 945 cc1620-1
Mr. Cormack

I beg to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House under Standing Order No. 9 to discuss a specific and important matter that should have urgent consideration, namely, the internal settlement in Rhodesia in the light of the Foreign Secretary's decision to return from Washington and of the forthcoming debate in the United Nations Security Council". I believe that this matter is entirely specific. It is now a week since the settlement was reached in Rhodesia. The House has had no opportunity to debate it properly and has had no clear lead from the Government as to their absolute intentions. In spite of that, the Government have reiterated, rightly, that there is a British responsibility for what goes on in that country.

It is important, as everyone in the House knows, because the peace of Africa and, indeed, the peace of the world can in some degree depend on events in that country.

It is also urgent, because the United Nations Security Council is debating the matter, and it would be a total travesty and completely wrong if the House did not have an opportunity to express an opinion while that debate is taking place.

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member for Staffordshire, South-West (Mr. Cormack) gave me notice this morning, before 12 o'clock, that he would seek leave to move the Adjournment of the House for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that he believes should have urgent consideration, namely, the internal settlement in Rhodesia in the light of the Foreign Secretary's decision to return from Washington and of the forthcoming debate in the United Nations Security Council". I listened with great care to the exchanges this afternoon. The House knows that I have to decide not whether there is to be a debate but whether to give it priority tonight or on Monday. I have given considerable thought to the hon. Member's application, but I am afraid that I cannot accede to it.