HC Deb 21 November 1983 vol 49 cc29-30

4.8 pm

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 new strategy of Republican terrorist killings in Northern Ireland with the attack on worshippers at the Protestant church service at Darkley Keady and the need for appropriate security measures. This House is responsible for security in Northern Ireland. Therefore, I must take the opportunity, as a Member of the House from Northern Ireland, to make this application today, as this is the only place that has authority over those responsible for security in Northern Ireland.

The matter is specific. The facts have already been stated in the House. When one listens to those who were present at that church service, when one imagines the scene as the shots were ringing out, and when one hears the account of how three church officers murdered in the sight of the congregation, which included women and children, one is revolted by the realisation that this can happen in a part of the United Kingdom in the 20th century.

The matter is important because the safety of men and women, especially that of men and women who seek to attend their place of worship on Sundays, is at stake.

Thirdly, the matter is urgent because of the threat to similar congregations in the county of Armagh. References have been made in the House today to the sterling character of the Chief Constable, but that view is not held by the majority of elected representatives in Northern Ireland. The House had better take note of the fact that the Chief Constable is more often out of Northern Ireland than in Northern Ireland, delivering lectures elsewhere to police forces on how to defeat terrorism, when our people are being murdered——

Mr. Maxton (Glasgow, Cathcart)

Disgraceful.

Rev. Ian Paisley

You can say that it is disgraceful, but you will not be following funerals, visiting widows or trying to succour orphans. [Interruption.] Yes, I am speaking to you. [HON. MEMBERS: "Order".] I may be out of order——

Mr. Speaker

Order. With respect, the hon. Gentleman is speaking to me.

Rev. Ian Paisley

You will appreciate, Mr. Speaker, how the people of Northern Ireland feel. I should be failing in my duty if I did not speak out. Even if the House does not like to hear the truth, it shall do so. It will have to listen to the truth. Therefore, I submit my application to the House.

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member for Antrim, North (Rev. Ian Paisley) gave me notice that he would seek leave to move the Adjournment of the House for the purposes of discussing a specific and important matter that he believes should have urgent consideration, namely, the new strategy of Republican terrorist killings in Northern Ireland". I listened very carefully to what the hon. Gentleman said. The House had an opportunity to question the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland after his statement. The hon. Gentleman will understand that the only decision that I have to take is whether the matter should have precedence over the business set down for today or tomorrow. I regret that I do not consider the matter that he raised to be appropriate for discussion under Standing Order No. 10, and, therefore, I cannot submit his application to the House.