HC Deb 19 March 1979 vol 964 c1101
Mr. Speaker

Before I call the hon. Member for Belfast, West (Mr. Fitt) in relation to his application under Standing Order No. 9, I should say that in view of recent experience in the House I believe that the time has come when it is necessary to remind the House that applications of this kind must be directed solely to seeking to prove that an issue is sufficiently important, specific and urgent for me to take the serious step of changing the business of the House to allow an emergency debate. It is not an occasion to debate the issue itself, as there is, of course, no opportunity for anyone to answer statements made.