HC Deb 27 February 1984 vol 55 c23 3.34 pm
Dr. Norman A. Godman (Greenock and Port Glasgow)

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 consideraton, namely, the announcement made some two hours ago of the formal cancellation by BP of its contract with Scott Lithgow for the construction of the semi-submersible drilling rig. This is a specific matter, in that the cancellation of this contract, which is due to be completed within eight weeks —in other words it is 96 per cent. complete—will have a dreadful effect on both Scott Lithgow and the United Kingdom offshore construction industry and those who are employed in that industry and ancillary industries. The House probably does not need reminding that this news comes right after the near fatal blow delivered by the cancellation of the Britoil contract at Scott Lithgow.

It is an urgent matter, since negotiations for the takeover of Scott Lithgow are at a crucial stage.

It is an important matter, because this scandalous decision could affect the livelihoods of thousands of people and their families in my constituency, elsewhere in Scotland and throughout mainland Britain.

I hope, Mr. Speaker, that you will give sympathetic consideration to my request.

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member for Greenock and Port Glasgow (Dr. Godman) 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 announcement today of the decision of the board of BP formally to cancel the oil rig contract with Scott Lithgow. I well understand, from previous applications and debates that we have held in the House, the importance of this matter to the hon. Gentleman and other hon. Members in Scotland and elsewhere. However, having listened carefully to what the hon. Gentleman said, I regret that I do not consider the matter which he has raised appropriate for discussion under Standing Order No. 10 and, therefore, I cannot submit his application to the House.