HC Deb 07 March 1985 vol 74 cc1194-5

5.3 pm

Mr. Dick Douglas (Dunfermline, West)

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 current situation in the west Fife and central Scotland coalfields. It is fairly apparent to some eyes that the miners' strike is over. That is not the case in west Fife and central Scotland where the miners are persisting in staying out, principally because they feel that the National Coal Board is being unfair.

During Prime Minister's Question Time on Tuesday, the Prime Minister gave me the impression that she thought that the NCB was right not to re-engage miners who had been convicted of serious criminal acts and dismissed from work. We must define what is meant by "serious criminal acts." I should like to illustrate my argument by describing acts for which men in my constituency have been sacked. The NCB director in Scotland, Mr. Albert Wheeler, says that there can be no further consideration of their sackings. His attitude is vindictive and spiteful.

George Wallace was convicted of a breach of the peace offence, sentenced to six months with good behaviour, and sacked. Mr. David Carruthers, who has served 30 years in the mining industry and never been in trouble, was convicted of a breach of the peace offence and fined £25. He has been dismissed. Robert Young was convicted of a breach of the peace offence and fined £75. He has been dismissed. His gross misconduct occurred on or about 7 June at Cartmore opencast mine— nothing to do with NCB property. Such sackings show that the mining industry in Scotland is being managed vindictively and spitefully. The churches in Scotland have protested to the Coal Board, and Dunfermline district council has written to it saying that it deplores the attitude of the director of the NCB in Scotland. That was the council's unanimous view.

I recently spent half of an afternoon pleading with the National Coal Board not to use non-union buses to convey miners to work, but it persisted. That has merely rubbed salt into the wounds and is another example of its spiteful and vindictive attitude.

Willie Bell, who has recently retired as manager of the Solsgirth mine, in an article in The Scotsman this week, said: Long ago in my management career, I learned that a manager can't produce coal by himself. If you can't get the backing of the labour force you may as well forget it. It appears that the NCB in Scotland has not read or digested that article. Mr. Bell's comments back up the call of Labour Members of Parliament and others for a public inquiry into the operations of the NCB in Scotland. I am pleading for an opportunity to discuss this issue. If not, I cannot be responsible for the repercussions in my constituency.

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member for Dunfermline, West (Mr. Douglas) 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 current situation in the west Fife and central Scotland coalfields. I have listened carefully to what the hon. Member has said, but I regret that I do not consider the matter that he has raised is appropriate for discussion under Standing Order No. 10, and, therefore, I cannot submit his application to the House.

There is now a further application under Standing Order No. 10.

Mr. Patrick Cormack (Staffordshire, South)

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker

Order. I shall take points of order afterwards.

Mr. Cormack

My point of order is relevant now. Mr. Speaker: Very well.

Mr. Cormack

Under the terms of Standing Order No. 10, a debate cannot be granted unless 40 hon. Members are present in the Chamber. Would you consider referring the Standing Order to the Procedure Committee so that the time of the House is not wasted, because if there are not 40 hon. Members present, even if you grant leave, a debate cannot take place.

Mr. Speaker

I have not granted the application. It is not for me to refer the matter to the Procedure Committee. If the hon. Gentleman feels strongly about it, he is free to do so himself. I shall now take the further application under Standing Order No. 10.