§ Mr. James Molyneaux (Antrim, 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 allegation of the Irish Foreign Minister that the Northern Ireland Bill, now before Parliament, breaks the spirit and the letter of the arrangement between Her Majesty's Government and the Irish Government.Last Friday in the Dail the Foreign Minister of the Irish Republic stated that the provisions of the Northern Ireland Bill break the spirit and letter of arrangements between the two Governments. As the existence of any such arrangements has been denied in the House by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and the Bill is before another place tomorrow, I submit that an opportunity must be urgently provided for the Secretary of State to describe in what respects the provisions of the Bill are alleged to contravene the arrangements.
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Member for Antrim, South (Mr. Molyneaux) gave me notice before 12 o'clock midday that he would seek leave to move the Adjournment of the House for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that he believed should have urgent consideration, namely,
the allegation of the Irish Foreign Minister that the Northern Ireland Bill, now before Parliament, breaks the spirit and the letter of the arrangement between Her Majesty's Government and the Irish Government.The House will appreciate that the hon. Gentleman has drawn our attention to an important matter, but the House knows that, under Standing Order No. 9, I am directed to take into account the several factors set out in the order but to give no reasons for my decision. I listened carefully 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.