Standing Order No. 9 (Applications) (Hansard, 14 June 1982)

§ Mr. D. N. Campbell-Savours (Workington)
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Over the past week, there have been three separate Standing Order No. 9 applications. Within the powers conferred upon you by the House you found it impossible to allocate us time. You may be aware that a great many hon. Members on both sides will have been pressed by their constituents as to why there has been no debate about what could turn into a major international conflict. The controversy will be well known to you. Some of us have pointed out that there is congestion in the legislation on the Floor of the House. One particular piece of legislation which is contributing to that congestion is the Northern Ireland Bill, which is being obstructed by a number of Conservative Back Benchers.
Will it be possible, Mr. Speaker, within any Standing Orders of which you may have knowledge, for the rest of the Committee stage to be taken upstairs, thereby freeing the Floor of the House for a much-needed debate on the Middle East? That could be done at the discretion of the Government, in the light of the decisions you have made on Standing Order No. 9 applications.

§ Mr. Speaker
I have no power to transfer the Bill to Committee upstairs when the whole House has decided that it should be debated on the Floor of the House. May I say, in case it is misunderstood outside, that I am not preventing the House from debating the Falkland Islands? All I am saying is that it is not an appropriate subject for an emergency debate tonight or tomorrow. The House has several other ways in which it can discuss that matter. I should not like anyone outside to have the wrong impression.

§ Mr. Campbell-Savours
With respect, Mr. Speaker, it was not the Falkland Islands, but the Middle East to which I was referring.

§ Mr. Speaker
The same principle applies. I am not preventing a debate. All I am saying is that it is not an appropriate subject for emergency debate tonight or tomorrow night.