HC Deb 14 January 1980 vol 976 cc1233-5
Mr. Alexander W. Lyon

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 conduct of the Governor of Rhodesia". There is no doubt about the urgency of this matter because there is a real possibility of a breakdown in the ceasefire arrangements negotiated at Lancaster House before Christmas. If there is such a breakdown, the situation in Rhodesia, although not as potentially dangerous as that in Afghanistan, will be a good deal more dangerous than it is now. We are responsible for Rhodesia, and our troops will be used in any attempt to stifle the conflagration that would then occur. For that reason, I believe that the House should debate immediately the conduct of the Governor over the last two or three weeks.

The Governor's conduct has led to a number of serious deviations from the ceasefire agreement. Much public concern was caused by the decision by the Governor to allow South African troops to remain inside Rhodesia—although it is now a British colony—substantially inland of Beitbridge. That was unnecessarily provocative and could not be justified in terms of securing that area.

In addition, a number of decisions have been taken in relation to using the existing security forces who were the combatants in the civil war. Those forces were used to try to control the activities of the Patriotic Front—the other combatants in the civil war. Potentially that decision was dangerous.

Perhaps the worst incident was that which was reported last week when the Governor authorised the security forces to stop a number of ZAPU guerrillas who had volunteered to go to the assembly point and had refused to give up their weapons but who did not act in a provocative manner with their weapons. Those men were simply anxious to be directed to the assembly point. The security forces stopped the bus in which they were travelling and shot them, apparently without any retaliation. In plain terms that was murder. As a provocative act that was about as bad as can be conceived. There was no attempt to fulfil the conditions of the ceasefire agreement.

Mr. Speaker

Order. The hon. Member must not seek to make the speech that he would make if I granted his application.

Mr. Lyon

I hope not to make a speech, but I wish to emphasise the gravity of the decisions which the Governor has taken and the urgency of having a debate. If there is a repetition of those serious infringements of the ceasefire agreement, it is likely that before the House can discuss the matter on Thursday there will be a breakdown of the ceasefire arrangements.

I ask you deliberately and cogently, Mr. Speaker, to agree that this matter falls well within the terms of Standing Order No. 9. This is not an application simply for form; it is an applicaton about a serious situation which might lead to the the spilling of British blood and the involvement of British forces in the war in southern Africa.

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member for York (Mr. Lyon) gave me notice before 12 o'clock 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 conduct of the Governor of Rhodesia. 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. I listened carefully to what the hon. Gentleman said and to the arguments that he advanced, but I have to rule that his submission does not fall within the provisions of the Standing Order and therefore I cannot submit his application to the House.