HC Deb 18 December 1980 vol 996 cc569-70
Mr. Robert Parry (Liverpool, Scotland Exchange)

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 serious and critical situation developing at the Maze prison". Every hon. Member will be aware of the serious developments facing the prisoners who are on hunger strike in the Maze. I am sure that we are all gravely concerned about it. I am concerned at the possible consequences should one of the prisoners die.

In The Daily Telegraph this morning, the headline reads: Maze man 'on brink of death". That prisoner is Sean McKenna, but I understand that another prisoner is critically ill and may not live to see the weekend. I am a member of the all-party Anglo-Irish group and of the Northern Ireland Parliamentary Labour Party Back-Bench group. Earlier this year I visited Dublin and Belfast. Unfortunately, while in Belfast I could not visit the Maze, but three of my colleagues did so

You will be aware, Mr. Speaker, that the situation is so critical that Cardinal O'Fiaich, the Primate of All Ireland, asked the Prime Minister to intervene personally, although I understand that the right hon. Lady has rejected that plea.

I do not support the granting of political status. If it were given to Republican prisoners, it would be given to the Loyalist prisoners as well, and I do not support it. However, I believe that some compromise could be reached before it is too late. My hon. Friend the Member for Hammersmith, North (Mr. Soley) this morning tabled early-day motion 85, in which the Government are urged to introduce penal reforms which would enable the prisoners to call off their action.

I am afraid that if one of these men dies there will be bombings in all our big cities—Liverpool, Glasgow, London and Birmingham. At this season of peace, I especially beg you, Mr. Speaker, for the sake of innocent people who may be killed, to accept my application.

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member for Liverpool, Scotland Exchange (Mr. Parry) gave me notice before 12 noon that he would ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that he believed should have urgent consideration, namely, the serious and critical situation developing at the Maze prison". With regard to the hon. Gentleman's concluding words, it is not in the hands of any hon. Member to put upon me responsibility for what happens in the country, whether or not there is a debate. I merely decide whether an emergency debate is to be granted.

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 reason for my decision. 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.