§ Mr. Greville Janner (Leicester, West)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 cessation of work by Marconi Radar on the STIR and type 909M radar projects caused by the Government's decision not to carry out extensive modernisation of the air defence role of type 42 destroyers and carriers.This matter is specific to Marconi Radar Systems Ltd. It is important because, directly or indirectly, it threatens hundreds of jobs in Marconi, predominantly and immediately in the new parts plant in my constituency, but also at the Blackbird Road site, also in my constituency, as well as other sites at Chelmsford and Gateshead.The matter is urgent, because not only will the disastrous effects of this decision affect employment in Leicester and elsewhere, but current negotiations concerning the future of the Seawolf radar tracking system and the threat that orders for a new and lighter system will be placed with the Dutch Philips subsidiary Signaal instead of with Marconi, thereby causing even more redundancies in the United Kingdom.
Irreversible decisions are apparently imminent, and with unemployment in Leicester already at its highest level since the 1930s, with about 25 per cent. of the population of this once prosperous city now either unemployed or on short-time working, I respectfully submit that it would be proper to discuss this matter under Standing Order No. 9.
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. and learned Member for Leicester, West (Mr. Janner) asks 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 cessation of work by Marconi Radar on the STIR and type 909M radar projects caused by the Government's decision not to carry out extensive modernisation of the air defence role of type 42 destroyers and carriers.The hon. and learned Gentleman gave me notice before 12 o'clock this morning that he would seek leave to move the Adjournment of the House for this purpose. As the House knows, I am directed to take account of the several factors set out in the Order, but to give no reasons for my decision.I have given careful consideration to the hon. and learned Gentleman's representations, and the House is aware that these matters will be discussed next week. 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.