Northern Ireland (Terrorism) (Hansard, 7 November 1983)

§ Rev. Ian Paisley (Antrim, North)

I beg to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House, under Standing Order No. 10, for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that should have urgent consideration, namely, the IRA terrorist bombings and killings in Northern Ireland at the weekend and the Anglo-Irish summit. The matter is specific. On Friday morning, shortly after 11 o'clock, a bomb went off in the polytechnic at Jordanstown. A class for police officers is held there each Friday. A time bomb was placed in the ceiling of the classroom, and when it exploded more than 30 were injured, some seriously, and two gallant police officers were killed—Inspector Martin and Sergeant Fife. Both were married men and both leave a small child.

When returning from duty early on Saturday morning, Reserve Constable McFadden, one of my own constituents in the village of Rasharkin in north Antrim, was murdered on his doorstep. He leaves a widow. I express the sympathy of all hon. Members to those who have been so sadly and tragically bereaved.

On Friday night a large bomb was planted in a public house in Strabane which is used by police officers when off duty. Fortunately, no one was killed, but some were injured. A number of houses were destroyed and some elderly persons were left homeless.

Those in Northern Ireland expected a bloody weekend in the Province because of the Anglo-Irish summit meeting. In the past, before and after such meetings when Northern Ireland's constitution has been called into question by the fact that the totality of relations between these islands is on the agenda, the IRA has used such occasions for special acts of atrocity.

22 I remind the House that a former Member, the Rev. Robert Bradford, and others were murdered following one of these summit meetings. I and many others warned that that would happen, and now what was expected has occurred. Surely this matter is of such importance that the House should discuss it, especially in the absence of any statement from the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

§ Mr. Speaker

The hon. Gentleman asks leave to move the Adjournment of the House, under Standing Order No. 10, for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that he thinks should have urgent consideration, namely, the IRA terrorist bombings and killings in Northern Ireland at the weekend and the Anglo-Irish summit. I am, of course, well aware of the importance of what the hon. Gentleman has said, but he will understand that the decision I must take is whether this matter should have precedence over the business set down for today or tomorrow. I regret that I do not consider the matter appropriate for discussion under Standing Order No. 10 and, therefore, I cannot submit his application to the House.