§ Mr. WinnickI 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 possibility of further United States military intervention in Iran and the danger to world peace ".The matter is specific because it relates to the situation in Iran and arises from what has already occurred by way of military force. The matter is of considerable importance, because further military action has not been ruled out by the United States authorities. Any such action could have the more fearful consequences, as well as having a great bearing on the maintenance, or otherwise, of world peace.The urgency of the matter is, I submit, self-evident. The crisis over Iran could escalate again at any time and it is essential that the House should have an opportunity of debating the matter and, in such a debate, to express its view on the situation.
I would hope that in such a debate the House could hear the views of those of us who believe that military action should not be taken and that economic sanctions should not be enforced, but that continued efforts should be made through diplomacy 994 —and only diplomacy—to secure the release of the hostages. For those reasons, I believe that the debate should be held as quickly as possible.
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Member for Walsall, North (Mr. Winnick) gave me notice before noon today 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 possibility of further United States military intervention in Iran and the danger to world peace ".The hon. Member has brought to our attention an important matter. I listened carefully to the arguments that he advanced. As the House knows, it has instructed me to give no reasons for my decision when I rule on such an application.I have to rule that the hon. Member's submission does not fall within the provisions of the Standing Order and, therefore, I cannot submit his application to the House.