§ Mr. Frank Dobson (Holborn and St. Pancras, 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 impending lockout on British Railways.My right hon. Friend the Leader of the Opposition leas explained the nature of the impending dispute between the three railway unions and the management of British Rail. My right hon. Friend has pointed out to the Leader of the House that the Government are largely responsible for the intransigent attitude of the railways management. The Leader of the House has pointed out that he does not intend to find Government time to debate the matter. I believe that the importance of the pending dispute must be acknowledged by the House. I believe that hon. Members should debate it soon. There is a clear possibility that the railway unions will shortly start, justifiably, limited and graduated industrial action and that the British Rail management will respond by an immediate national lockout.If a lockout takes place, it is highly unlikely that the railway system that exists at the beginning of the lockout will exist at the end of the lockout. That would severely affect not only the 250,000 people who find a living on the railways but also the millions of people who travel on them and the millions who would be severely affected by the transfer of heavy goods from the railways to the roads.
The reason why a debate is urgent is that there will be no opportunity for hon. Members to discuss the matter between now and our return on 8 June. With the British Rail management trying to bring forward some of the meetings with the unions next week, it is possible that both parties will be committed to outright dispute by the tune we return. If that is right, I rely on the words of my right hon. Friend the Member for Cardiff, South-East (Mr. Callaghan) who, on the subject of the Falkland Islands, pointed out how little was needed to deter and how much to remedy. It would be wise if the opportunity was given to the House to deter the Government and British Rail management from their precipitous course and so avoid having to remedy a desperate situation on the railways.
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Gentleman gave me notice before 12 noon that he would seek 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 impending lockout on British Railways".I want first to express my gratitude to the hon. Gentleman for the courteous manner in which he has presented his argument to me. As the hon. Gentleman and the House are aware, I have received four applications this week, which shows the anxiety over this matter. I am fully aware of that. I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for the way in which he has presented his case. None the less, as the House knows, 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 have to rule that the hon. Gentleman's submission does not fall within the provisions of the Standing Order and therefore I cannot submit his application to the House.