HC Deb 01 July 1980 vol 987 cc1314-5
Mr. Park

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 sales of Alfred Herbert, Edgwick Machine Tool Works, and associated companies. I have been prompted to make this application because an announcement appeared in a press release yesterday to the effect that notices had been given under the Employment Protection Act to all employees at Edgwick, with variations at the Lutterworth plant, Herbert Sigma, Herbert Numerical Controls and the Mackadown Lane plant. About 1,400 people out of a total of 12,000 employees will be adversely affected. The machine tool industry plays a key role in the industrial life of our country, and the use of up-to-date machines is the first step towards greater efficiency in manufacturing. In addition, general redundancies have been announced in Coventry. As a result, in the next few months Coventry's unemployment rate may rise to 50 per cent. above the national average.

The matter is urgent because under the Employment Protection Act there is a 90-day period during which sales of such companies must be completed. Unless the Government take prompt action there will be a greater reliance on foreign-built machines, as finance is available only during those 90 days. The sales have become necessary because the NEB decided not to advance the further funds that were needed to establish a business that is based on high technology turning machines. The Government said that funds would be available for such areas. If the Government have retreated from that undertaking, they should say so openly so that the issue can be debated.

I respectfully beg you, Mr. Speaker, to grant this application.

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member for Coventry, North-East (Mr. Park) gave me notice this morning 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 thinks should have urgent consideration, namely, the sales of Alfred Herbert, Edgwick Machine Tool Works, and associated companies. I listened with concern to the hon. Gentleman, who has brought a serious matter to our notice. No doubt it is an important issue, as the hon. Gentleman has indicated. As the House knows, I do not decide whether this matter shall be debated. I merely decide whether it shall have priority over the business set down for tonight or tomorrow night. The House has instructed me to give no reasons for my decision.

I have listened carefully to the hon. Gentleman, 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.