HC Deb 29 March 1984 vol 57 c463 4.10 pm
Mr. Gavin Strang (Edinburgh, 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 incidents surrounding the movement of the American cruise missile convoy in the early hours of this morning. The matter is clearly specific. Despite the fact that the police corralled the Greenham Common women against the fence, about 200 demonstrators were at the entrance in time to confront the convoy before it returned to base. The convoy was halted for a short time.

The matter is important because it is the intention of the United States Government that the convoy should carry live cruise missiles into the countryside. Each missile will carry a 200-kiloton nuclear warhead 16 times more powerful than the Hiroshima bomb.

The matter is urgent because the police have already stated that there was a risk that many people could have been hurt in this morning's incident. We know that there will be more exercises, and we know that many people will continue to demonstrate their opposition.

There has been no debate about the cruise missiles since they arrived more than four months ago. This morning's events demonstrate the risk of cruise deployment in the countryside. It is imperative that the House gives this matter its urgent attention.

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member gave me notice before 12 o'clock that he would seek 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 incidents surrounding the movement of the American cruise missile convoy in the early hours of this morning. I listened carefully to what the hon. Gentleman said, but I regret that I have to give him the same answer that I gave to his hon. Friend the Member for Pontefract and Castleford (Mr. Lofthouse). I do not consider that the matter he raised is appropriate for discussion under Standing Order No. 10. Therefore, I cannot submit his application to the House.