§ Mr. Michael Meacher (Oldham, 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 proposal to site the United States European command war headquarters in the United Kingdom, whether at High Wycombe or elsewhere, when it has never been openly discussed or debated in the House".This is a proposal of the utmost gravity. It raises questions of life and death for every man, woman and child in the country, yet the nation learnt of it only as a result of a newspaper exposé. Hon Members on both sides of the House are anxious that matters of vital national interest should not be dealt with behind Parliament's back. It is by chance that the matter has come to light before a decision has been taken.The matter is specific and crucial. The acquisition of a European command war headquarters exposes our people to the much greater likelihood of a pre-emptive nuclear strike in the event of hostilities anywhere in the region of Europe. Our entanglement in a nuclear war through a possible American confrontation elsewhere, over which we would have had no control, is of supreme importance to all our citizens. It has been estimated that our involvement in a nuclear war would cause the death of four out of every five of our citizens.
The matter is urgent. It is clear from the confirmation of the report by a Minister in the Ministry of Defence that the matter has been under consideration for a considerable time and that a decision is imminent—if it has not already been taken. It is a vital decision, affecting millions of our people, and should not be taken behind closed doors.
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Member for Oldham, West (Mr. Meacher) 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 thinks should have urgent consideration, namely,
the proposal to site the United States European command war headquarters in the United Kingdom, whether at High Wycombe or elsewhere, when it has never been openly discussed or debated in the House".As the House is well aware, I do not decide whether an important matter is to be discussed; the decision is in other people's hands. I am directed to take into account the several factors set out in the order but to give no reasons for my decisions in reply to requests for emergency debates.I listened carefully to the hon. Gentleman, as the House did, but I must rule that his submission does not fall within the provisions of the Standing Order and, therefore, I cannot submit it to the House.