§ Mr. Denis Healey (Leeds, East)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 invasion of an independent Commonwealth state by American and other forces against the apparent advice of the British Prime Minister.No one can deny that the invasion is specific—we were discussing it for more than half an hour this afternoon. No one can deny that it is important — it appears to be a violation of the United Nations charter, it has split the Commonwealth countries in the Caribbean in two and it raises the most fundamental questions about the relations between Britain and her most important ally.For those reasons I believe that it is most important that we learn what argument the Prime Minister used when urging President Reagan not to invade Grenada and what arguments he advanced for rejecting her advice.
The matter is urgent because the lives of 200 British citizens are at risk. HMS Antrim is standing off the islands but is unable to evacuate our citizens because the fighting continues.
§ Mr. SpeakerThe right hon. Member for Leeds, East (Mr. Healey) asks leave to move, under Standing Order No. 10, the Adjournment of the House for the purpose of discussing an important matter which he thinks should have urgent consideration, namely,
the invasion of an independent Commonwealth state by American and other forces against the apparent advice of the British Prime Minister.I am satisfied that the matter should be considered under Standing Order No. 10. Does the right hon. Gentleman have the leave of the House?
§ The pleasure of the House having been signified, the motion stood over under Standing Order No. 10 (Adjournment on specific and important matter that should have urgent consideration) until the commencement of public business tomorrow.