§ Mr. Stan Thorne (Preston, South)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 proposed reorganisation of the British Leyland bus and truck division".The proposed reorganisation will be publicly announced in detail tomorrow at noon. The announcement is likely to contain proposals that will produce the loss of a further 1,500 jobs in the Leyland truck division, which, following the redundancies during the past 18 months, spells disaster to the Leyland Central and East Lancashire divisions where many members of the work force live.Additionally, there are strong rumours that the brand new and most modern Leyland assembly plant at Moss Side, where test operations are done, is to be sold. The diesel engine franchise which it is suggested will be given to an American company, Cummings, will produce a phased withdrawal at Leyland. The carrying out of any one of those three proposals will be significant for British Leyland.
I am requesting an emergency debate so that the Secretary of State for Industry can tell the House about the precise proposals contained in a document that will be issued tomorrow at midday. Otherwise, the House will not have the opportunity to hear the proposals, which are of serious concern to those who live in my area.
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Member for Preston, South (Mr. Thorne) gave me notice before 12 o'clock midday that he would seek leave to move the Adjournment of the House under Standing Order No. 9 for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that he believes should have urgent consideration, namely,
the proposed reorganisation of the Brush Leyland bus and truck division.I have listened with care to what the hon. Gentleman said, but I must rule that his submission does not fall within the provisions of the Standing Order. Therefore, I cannot submit his application to the House.
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