§ Mr. David Penhaligon (Truro)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 EEC curbs on milk production and the implications for the United Kingdom.Rarely can any hon. Member have asked for the Adjournment of the House when the desire to discuss the matter on the Floor of the House has been so amply demonstrated in exchanges on a statement made a few moments earlier.Some hon. Members do not realise that the agreement is already 40 hours old and is being legally implemented at this moment. Agriculturists in my part of the world complain that they do not know where they stand and they believe that hon. Members should have an opportunity to argue about how the quotas should be implemented within the United Kingdom.
For the third time in the past eight days I have just asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, "Who is in charge of the quota system?" Even such an elementary question has failed to get an answer. That demonstrates how urgent and specific the matter is.
We are talking about an important industry. In some parts of the country it is the main industry. It involves the livelihoods of people who have worked hard all their lives to build up small farms and who now face serious difficulties. They want to know where they stand and they want us to debate how the quotas should be implemented. If you, Mr. Speaker, do not grant my application, it seems likely that the opportunity for a debate will be denied.
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Member for Truro (Mr. Penhaligon) asks leave 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 EEC curbs on milk production.We have had a long discussion about the matter this afternoon and I do not in any way underestimate its importance, which was amply demonstrated by the interest shown by both sides of the House. However, I have to say to the hon. Member that I do not consider that it is a matter that is appropriate for discussion under Standing Order No. 10 today or tomorrow. I therefore cannot submit his application to the House.