HC Deb 14 February 1983 vol 37 cc21-2 3.30 pm
Mr. Charles Irving (Cheltenham)

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 related to inhuman and cavalier treatment by a multinational company, one of the top 20 in the United States, namely, the decision of Allied Corporation of America to create 500 redundancies at its Cheltenham-based factory, Linotype-Paul. The reason for transferring to its loss-making West German plant the profitable products researched, developed and manufactured by British workers is inexplicable. The House, with your permission, Mr. Speaker, should urgently consider steps that Ministers can take to prevent the appalling exploitation of British companies similar to Linotype-Paul, whose order book is profitable, being moved abroad. There are suggestions of illegal inducements by West Germany to attract British companies, contrary to the Treaty of Rome, to relieve its own failing economy.

The pirating of British products must cease now. Bribery and corruption have many unacceptable faces. As recently as January of this year Linotype-Paul was recruiting staff, most of whom are still working overtime. This leaves the greatest suspicion in my constituency that Allied Corporation of America is by no means whiter than white.

Malpractice should be rooted out and such wealthy groups now seeking oil concessions from the Government refused the opportunity to, yet again, reap rich rewards on the backs of an able British work force.

The matter is specific. Five hundred workers are losing their profit-producing jobs. The matter is urgent and important for those put out of work and for the country in general. The House must, without delay, take measures to ensure that multinationals do not prop up jobs abroad at the expense of British jobs and technology.

The matter comes within the scope of ministerial action, as the Standing Order requires. Ministers must protect British industry from abuse. My right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Energy and for Industry must immediately consider carefully whether Allied Corporation of America is a proper company to receive oil concessions when it treats its British work force with such contempt. There is no probability that the matter will be brought before the House by any other means. I therefore ask you, Mr. Speaker, to rule that this is a proper matter to be discussed under the terms of the Standing Order.

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Gentleman gave me notice before 12 o'clock midday that he would seek 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 decision of Allied Corporation of America to create 500 redundancies at its Cheltenham-based factory, Linotype-Paul. As the House knows, applications under Standing Order No. 9 that relate to redundancies and unemployment always cause me a considerable amount of difficulty. But the House is also aware that I do not decide whether this matter should be debated. I merely decide whether is of such a character that it must be debated either tonight or tomorrow.

Under the Standing Order I am directed by the House to take into account the several factors set out in the order but to give no reasons for my decision. I must 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.