§ Mr. LeeOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Have you received no request from the Government for them to make a statement in view of the serious disturbances that have occurred in a Crown colony—Ocean Island or Banaba? I ask this bearing in mind that the Government still have a residual responsibility for law and order there and that there has been a serious riot for the first time in the long and protracted history of that unfortunate territory, which is the subject of a great deal of injustice. I ask bearing in mind also that, ironically, the Bill for the independence of the Gilbert Islands—a controversial measure, as the House will discover—is being introduced this day, I think in constitutional impropriety, in another place rather than this. That Bill bears upon the future of the territory to which I am referring.
§ Sir Bernard BraineFurther to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. Disturbances are taking place in a territory for which Her Majesty's Government are still responsible, and all the news indicates that the situation may deteriorate. This is happening at a time when legislation bearing on the underlying grievances is already before Parliament. Is it not almost a contempt of this House that the Goverment have not sought to make a statement?
My request to you, Mr. Speaker, today, which is the earliest opportunity, is simply this: if the Government relent, realising the gravity of the situation and the importance of the matter to hon. Members of all parties, and if they ask to make such a statement tomorrow, will you agree to its being made?
§ Mr. SpeakerI have never yet said "No" to a Government application to make a statement. With regard to the point of order of the hon. Member for Birmingham, Handsworth (Mr. Lee), I have received no request for a statement today.