§ Mr. Christopher PriceI 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 refusal of the Government to set priorities for emergency and public services during the present oil crisis".I am sorry that I have not been able to give you notice of this application, Mr. Speaker, but in the circumstances, because the application arises from the questioning that we have just heard, it has not been possible to do so.The exchanges across the Floor of the House today have made clear what an urgent problem this is. It is an immediate problem, because we have heard today that public transport in many parts of the country and ambulance services 57 in some parts of the country are under threat.
When the present Government came into office they gave one emergency service—the police—some priority in terms of pay. The House has a right to expect the Government to set priorities for the other emergency services, particularly the ambulance services, so that those services can be maintained.
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Member for Lewisham, West (Mr. Price) asks leave to move the Adjournment of the House, under Standing Order No. 9, for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that he believes should have urgent consideration, namely,
the refusal of the Government to set priorities for emergency and public services during the present oil crisis".I listened with care to the exchanges this afternoon and to the arguments advanced by the hon. Gentleman. As the House knows, 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. Although I have listened with great care to what has been said, 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.