HC Deb 14 February 1979 vol 962 cc1160-1
Mr. Rifkind

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 which I believe should have urgent consideration, namely, the decision that has been taken, as a result of industrial action, to close all schools in the Edinburgh area from tomorrow, including those for the mentally and physically handicapped. It is ironic that on the very day that the Prime Minister has announced a new relationship with the trade unions which will lessen industrial action a decision has been taken by the National Union of Public Employees to intensify industrial action in the East of Scotland. As a result of this decision, already a number of distressing consequences have become apparent. From tomorrow, all 200 schools and colleges in the Edinburgh area will close, not simply for a day but for an indefinite period.

Secondly, as a consequence of this decision, over 80,000 pupils and students in the Edinburgh area will have no education—either today or the day following, or for all that period for which this industrial action continues.

Thirdly, as a result of this action, those pupils and students who are preparing for examinations will have no facilities made available for their preparation unless, in the words of the chairman of the Lothian education committee, they receive the cooperation of NUPE—such co-operation which as yet has not been seen to be forthcoming.

Fourthly, a distressing consequence of this action, impressing the urgency of the matter, is that the meals-on-wheels service for the elderly, supplying meals which have always been prepared in the school kitchens, will no longer be able to be prepared, and, although it is hoped that alternative facilities will be made available in the social work department, there is no evidence as yet that these will meet the requirement.

Most seriously, the consequence of this action and the decision by NUPE not to make any exemption at all in its industrial action, is that those schools for the mentally and physically handicapped will not be open and there will be no facilities provided for the mentally and physically handicapped youngsters in the Edinburgh area for the indefinite future. It is ironic that the Labour majority group on the Lothian region education committee, which is the only majority group in Scotland to have come out in support of the NUPE pay claim, has received no thanks for this—showing that appeasement does not appear to produce any results in this action.

The urgency of this matter is emphasised by the fact that if, at a time when there is so little compassion in industrial disputes, the mentally and physically handicapped, children and the elderly can be made to suffer as a consequence of a pay dispute, this dispute is an urgent and important matter that Parliament should be able to discuss.

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member for Edinburgh, Pentlands (Mr. Rifkind) gave me notice before 12 o'clock this morning 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 decision that has been taken, as a result of industrial action, to close all schools in the Edinburgh area from tomorrow, including those for the mentally and physically handicapped. The House will understand that I listened with more than usual anxiety and care to what the hon. Gentleman said. He has raised very serious issues. The House knows that I am instructed, when I give my decision, not to give reasons why I have reached the decision that I announce. After careful consideration of the hon. Gentleman's representations, I have to rule that his submission does not fall within the Standing Order, and, therefore, I cannot submit his application to the House.