HC Deb 01 February 1979 vol 961 cc1707-8
Rev. Ian Paisley

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, that four patients admitted to the Royal Victoria hospital on 15 January died before they could get treatment in wards 10 and 11 because of deplorable overcrowded conditions". The conditions have nothing to do with the present industrial unrest or with strikes among hospital workers. A top consultant surgeon at the Royal Victoria hospital issued a statement in which he described the present condition of the Royal Victoria hospital as outrageous and a discredit to any concept of modern medicine". He gave as an example that on 15 January no beds were available in wards 10 and 11 and that of the 29 patients admitted four died before they could receive any treatment in those wards. That is a matter of great concern in Northern Ireland. I take this opportunity to raise it on the Floor of the House.

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member for Antrim, North (Rev. Ian Paisley) gave me notice this morning that he would seek 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, that four patients admitted to the Royal Victoria hospital on 15 January died before they could get treatment in wards 10 and 11 because of deplorable overcrowded conditions". The hon. Gentleman has undoubtedly raised a serious matter. He knows, as the House knows, that under Standing Order No. 9 I am directed to take into account the several factors set out in the order but to give no reasons for my decision. The hon. Gentleman knows that I decide not whether the matter should be debated, but merely whether there should be an emergency debate tonight or on Monday. I regret that I cannot submit his application to the House.