HC Deb 23 March 1981 vol 1 cc644-5
Mr. Donald Coleman (Neath)

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 threatened closure of the Rheola rolling mill at Resolven in West Glamorgan, with the loss of 590 jobs, as a result of the rationalisation of British Aluminium's rolling operations, and to discuss the effect of Government policies on this decision. The matter is specific because it relates to an aluminium rolling mill in my constituency where, as the press notice of the closure decision issued by the company states: There has been co-operation from the employees over the years in improving efficiency and where considerable efforts have been made both by management and work people to improve efficiency. The matter is also specific because it is related to the aluminum industry in general.

The matter is urgent because, if the decision is allowed to go ahead, 590 employees of the company in my constituency will be put on the dole and many will probably never work again. Such a situation will lift the already too high level of unemployment in my constituency to even greater heights, raising it to more than 20 per cent. of the working population.

The matter is important, because, if the decision is implemented, the Neath valley, where the works are situated, will be further diminished as a place of industrial activity. The matter is specific, urgent and important, because policies of the Government have a direct effect on it.

The company states that the problems arise from the United Kingdom recession and international competition, intensified by exchange rate movements. How those affect industry is very much a matter concerning Government policies. There is also a matter of Government policy that is both specific and important in this matter, namely the development status of Neath.

It is for those reasons that the Government should be compelled to come to the House to tell us how they propose to save these and other jobs in the aluminium industry. I ask that the matter be debated urgently here, for, in doing so, the House will be paying proper attention to protecting the means of livelihood of our people and preserving the communities in which they live.

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member for Neath (Mr. Coleman) gave me notice before 12 o'clock 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 thinks should have urgent consideration, namely, the threatened closure of the Rheola rolling mill at Resolven in West Glamorgan, with the loss of 590 jobs, as a result of the rationalisation of British Aluminium's rolling operations, and to discuss the effect of Government policies on this decision. The House is aware, though the people involved in such situations are not always aware, that I do not decide whether a matter shall be discussed. I decide merely whether there should be a debate tonight or tomorrow.

I in no way underestimate the seriousness of what the hon. Member said about the state of affairs at Resolven, but he and the House know that I have been instructed to give no reasons for my decision when I respond to an application. I have given careful consideration to what the 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.