HC Deb 30 March 1983 vol 40 cc352-3 3.55 pm
Mr. Michael McNair-Wilson (Newbury)

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 gratuitous offer by the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament to provide my constituents living close to the royal ordnance factory at Burghfield, particularly those living at the Mearings, with passes and car stickers to enable them to get to and from their houses during this weekend's demonstrations organised by the CND, as if it were a legal authority. The letter from CND is couched in such a way as to give the impression that CND is a recognised authority entitled to circulate its passports to whomsoever it chooses to minimise any inconvenience or risk to you and your family … Obviously there will be some inconvenience, but it is in our interest and in yours that there should be no unpleasantness over your leaving and returning home… Cars bearing these stickers the CND stickers— are to be allowed through. The idea that any organisation, no matter what its intentions, should take upon itself to write and to issue passes to law-abiding citizens of this country without which they may be prevented from having free access to their homes by demonstrators called out by that same organisation—in this case, CND—is to my mind arrogantly high-handed and suggests that CND expects its supporters to prevent Thames valley police from making it possible for my constituents to go about their lawful business unmolested—a worrying portent for this weekend's demonstration in Berkshire.

That is my specific concern and why I believe the House should debate this matter now. I submit that this incident raises the important question whether an outside body, such as the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, planning a massive demonstration this weekend that will cause enormous inconvenience and aggravation to hundreds, if not thousands, of people—many of whom are my constituents—as well as tying down large numbers of police, should not be asked to enter into some form of agreement to guarantee the absolute right to law-abiding persons to have access to their houses and to all highways and public roads close to a demonstration.

Lastly, Mr. Speaker, I suggest that this matter is very urgent because the demonstration is to start tomorrow, 31 March.

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member for Newbury (Mr. McNair-Wilson) gave me notice before 12 o'clock midday that he might seek to make an application under Standing Order No. 9 this afternoon for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that he thinks should have urgent consideration, namely, the gratuitous offer by the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament to provide my constituents living close to the royal ordnance factory at Burghfield, particularly those living at the Mearings, with passes and car stickers to enable them to get to and from their houses during this weekend's demonstrations organised by CND, as if it were a legal authority. 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 listened carefully to what the hon. Gentleman had to say, 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.

Later—

Mr. Tom McNally (Stockport, South)

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. While very much respecting your ruling on the first Standing Order application, as it is Home Office questions tomorrow and the Home Secretary will be present, will it be possible for him to make a statement to the House about the legal implications of the issuing of laissez-passars by the CND?

Mr. Speaker

I am sure that the hon. Gentleman's words will have been noted. I never invite Ministers to make statements—they ask me, and I have never yet said no.