§ Mr. Robert Parry (Liverpool, Riverside)I beg 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 decision by the Guinness company to close its bottling plant in Liverpool.In view of the high level of unemployment, particularly in constituencies such as mine, I believe that there should be a debate on the loss of several hundred jobs on Merseyside. The company's decision means that 200 jobs will be lost in the Toxteth area of my constituency. Several jobs will be lost in the Speke constituency, which is represented by my hon. Friend the Member for Liverpool, Garston (Mr. Loyden), and 70 jobs will be lost at Runcorn. This is the second Guinness factory to close in my constituency in the last couple of years. As my constituency—[Interruption.]
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. Hon. Members should listen with care to what the hon. Gentleman is saying.
§ Mr. ParryThank you, Mr. Speaker.
As my constituency has the highest level of male unemployment in the United Kingdom, approaching 40 per cent., I submit that the Guinness closure is a serious matter. In the past week or so we have also been hit by news of the withdrawal of the Liverpool to Isle of Man crossing, and by news that the Cammell Laird plant is to shed more than 400 jobs. Thus, in the course of a week or so we have received news that more than 700 jobs are to be lost. Incidentally, those job losses will mean that 100,000 jobs will have been lost on Merseyside in the last five years under this Government. That is why, Mr. Speaker, I am asking you, to accept my application.
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Gentleman seeks 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 proposed closure of the Guinness plant in Liverpool.The hon. Gentleman knows well that the only decision for me is whether to give this matter precedence over the business set down for today or tomorrow. I have listened to what he has said, but I regret that I do not consider the matter that he has raised appropriate for discussion under Standing Order No. 10, and I cannot, therefore, submit his application to the House.