British Rail (Hansard, 24 May 1982)

§ Mr. Albert Booth (Barrow-in-Furness)

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 crisis in British railways". On Friday the executive committee of the National Union of Railwaymen decided that it would decide on a form of industrial action unless by 7 June Britsh Rail withdraws its proposals to close a number of railway workshops. The proposal to close the workshops is seen by the unions in the industry and by a large number of other people concerned with the running of the railways as indicative of the fact that a massive rundown of railway services is about to commence.

The significance of the proposal goes far beyond its serious effect upon the communities in which the workshops are situated, and the factors that led to the decision of British Rail Engineering Ltd. cannot be held to be matters merely between the railway unions and British Rail management, because they were factors determined by the Government.

It was the Government's decision to refuse to allow British Rail to begin the investment programme, which is necessary to maintain our rail network as much as to provide work for British Rail workshops, and their proposal to make a public service obligation payment to British Rail for the current year less than that paid in the last year that lay behind the decision by British Rail.

It would be wrong for Parliament to rise for the Whitsun Recess and to return after the date on which a decision is taken that a strike should commence in British Rail resulting from factors which are matters of great importance to the House, on which we would wish to question the Secretary of State for Transport and on which the House should express a view. I therefore submit that this is an appropriate matter for an urgent debate.

§ Mr. Speaker

The right hon. Member for Barrow-in-Furness (Mr. Booth) gave me notice before 12 o'clock midday that he would seek to make an application under Standing Order No. 9 this afternoon.

The right hon. Gentleman asks 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 crisis in British Railways". The right hon. Gentleman has drawn our attention to a serious issue for the whole country, as the whole House will be aware. The right hon. Gentleman and the House are aware that my powers in this matter are strictly limited to granting an emergency debate of three hours only, either tonight or tomorrow night.

The House has also instructed me to take into account the several factors set out in the order, but to give no reasons for my decision. It would often be easier for me if I could give reasons, but I am instructed not to do so.

I must rule that the right hon. Gentleman's submission does not fall within the provisions of the Standing Order, and, therefore, I cannot submit his application to the House.