HC Deb 09 June 1980 vol 986 cc32-3
Mr. J. Enoch Powell

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 renewal at the past weekend of the attack upon the territory of the United Kingdom from that of the Irish Republic. During the past 48 hours there have been at least five major incidents which clearly form a pattern and represent a deliberate intention. There were major attacks by car bomb in Londonderry and Dungannon. There was the deliberate murder of a UDR man in Newtownbutler and there was an ambush directed at a Royal Ulster Constabulary party, which did not fully achieve its object, in Newtownhamilton, in County Armagh. Most serious of all probably was a battle in which the Army was fired upon from across the frontier and in which, I understand, hundreds of rounds were fired.

I do not think that there is any need to draw attention to the specific or important nature of these events. However, if we are to prevent the continuance of the attack and the loss and endangering of more lives, it is essential that the Government should have the opportunity at the earliest possible moment to indicate in public that they have brought to the attention of the Government of the Irish Republic the serious consequences if these activities continue to be based upon the territory of that country and if steps to prevent their being so based are not urgently taken. I regard this as self-evident cause for anxiety and of the need for early and urgent debate in the House.

Mr. Speaker

The right hon. Member for Down, South (Mr. Powell) gave me notice this morning 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 renewal at the past weekend of the attack upon the territory of the United Kingdom from that of the Irish Republic. The House listened, as I did, with concern and care to what the right hon. Gentleman said. The House knows that it does not lie in my power to decide whether or when the Government should make a statement on the serious continuing position in Northern Ireland.

The House has told me to give no reason for my decision when such an application is made. I listened with anxiety to what the right hon. Gentleman said, but I must rule that his submission does not fall within the provisions of the Standing Order and, therefore, I cannot submit his application to the House.