HC Deb 14 April 1980 vol 982 cc807-9
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, the security situation in Northern Ireland with the murder of three police officers and the serious wounding of others by the Provisional IRA and the unofficial strike at the Royal Victoria hospital, aimed at getting the troops out of the hospital complex and resulting in attacks on hospital workers and serious risk to critically ill patients. The House should be aware of the serious situation that has arisen in Northern Ireland since the House went into recess. The House is the only place where Northern Ireland elected representatives can discuss these matters. In view of the deplorable absence of a ministerial statement we should have an emergency debate.

When the House was going into recess a police officer, Constable Stokes, was blown up in his car by the type of bomb that killed our much lamented colleague, Mr. Airey Neave. That constable was seriously injured. On Good Friday a Royal Ulster Constabulary reserve constable, one of my constituents, Bernard Montgomery, aged 33, who was married, with a 4-year-old son, was shot in the back and murdered by IRA thugs.

Just after the holiday weekend another young police officer, who had been one of my constituents for almost all his life—RUC Constable Stephen Magill, aged 24, who had been married for only four months—was murdered in an IRA ambush in which three of his colleagues were injured. On Friday RUC Reserve Constable Fred Wilson, aged 43, married with two children, was murdered by the IRA in the city centre. Mr. Fred Wilson was well known as an able and efficient Housing Executive administrator. My colleagues who represent Belfast constituencies are absent, because they are attending his funeral. Mr. Wilson was held in high esteem by all sections of the community as an officer of the Housing Executive who sought to serve the whole community impartially.

A new ingredient has entered the security situation in Northern Ireland—the unofficial strike in progress at the Royal Victoria hospital. The National Union of Public Employees has officially condemned the strike, and rightly. The aim is to have the troops removed from the hospital complex. The troops guard those who have been injured by terrorists and prevent their being further attacked. They also guard terrorists injured while being captured by security forces.

The strike is orchestrated by the Provisional IRA. Many sinister incidents have taken place. Attacks have been made on workers preparing food for patients. Food has been thrown on the floor and a porter attacked and seized by the throat by those involved in the unofficial protest. A cardiac ambulance has had difficulty in taking a critically ill patient to the hospital. Grave difficulties are being experienced in supplying food to patients. The situation is highly dangerous and there is a build up of resentment. The House should have the opportunity to debate the issues as soon as possible.

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Gentleman gave me notice before 12 o'clock that he would seek 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 thinks should have urgent consideration, namely, the security situation in Northern Ireland with the murder of three police officers and the serious wounding of others by the Provisional IRA, and the unofficial strike at the Royal Victoria hospital, aimed at getting the troops out of the hospital complex and resulting in attacks on hospital workers and serious risk to critically ill patients. The House will have listened with deep concern to the hon. Gentleman, who has brought to our attention once again the serious situation in Northern Ireland. As the House knows, I do not decide whether this matter should be debated. I merely decide whether it should be debated tonight or tomorrow night as an emergency debate.

As the House also 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. After listening carefully to the hon. Gentleman, I have to rule that his submission does not fall within the provisions of the Standing Order and I cannot, therefore, submit his application to the House.