HC Deb 09 June 1980 vol 986 cc33-4
Mr. Frank Allaun

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 two computer errors last week which led to the starting of American bomber engines and to the missiles of the Strategic Air Command being put on a higher alert, which would have led to the danger of Britain being involved in a nuclear war if the mistakes had not been discovered in time. This is an important issue because, in my view, the most likely cause of world war three is that of accident. This is the third false alert in seven months. The danger that we face is far greater because of the degree of tension between East and West. Despite the hot telephone line which, thank goodness, exists between Moscow and Washington, a mistake could still be interpreted.

I submit that we should debate the need to reduce the tension so that even if a mistake occurs—in my view, with the increase of missiles on both sides it is bound to occur sooner or later—it will clearly be regarded as and seen to have been a mistake. If we move in the other direction and heighten the tension and have cruise missiles on our soil, the danger becomes much greater.

We are given to understand that a submarine-launched missile would take nine minutes to hit American cities. That means that an American commander might be prepared to wait three minutes but not necessarily beyond nine minutes. That expresses the danger.

We should have the debate for which I have asked because a mistake, as my hon. Friend the Member for Keighley (Mr. Cryer) has said, would leave to the greatest blow that life in Britain or in any other country could suffer.

It would be irredeemable because most of these missiles have no power of de-fusion or recall once they have been launched. Therefore, I urge that we should debate this matter urgently.

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member for Salford, East (Mr. Allaun) 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, namely, the two computer errors last week which led to the starting of American bomber engines and to the missiles of the Strategic Air Command being put on a higher alert, which would have led to the danger of Britain being involved in a nuclear war if the mistakes had not been discovered in time. I listened carefully to the exchanges between the Secretary of State and those who questioned him this afternoon, as I know all hon. Members did. The House has instructed me to give no reasons for my decisions on applications under the Standing Order. 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.

Mr. Kilfedder rose—

Mr. Speaker

Does the hon. Member still wish to pursue his application?

Mr. Kilfedder

Yes.