§ Mr. Brynmor John (Pontypridd)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 request of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to the Forestry Commission to draw up plans to sell off its holdings.This will mean that 3 million acres of public woodland will be sold off and that will raise £1,500 million for the Exchequer.The matter is specific because it deals with a press release, issued at lunchtime today, through the Government's favourite method of communication, the Press Association. It is urgent because it involves the country's assets and the future of the rural environment. It also involves employment in Britain. It is urgent because it is yet another example of the bypassing of Parliament and of plans being drawn up without an opportunity for an important debate. The only way it can be debated is for the House to be adjourned and the matter to be properly brought before us.
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Member for Pontypridd (Mr. John) asks leave to move the Adjournment of the House for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter which he thinks should have urgent consideration, namely,
the request of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to the Forestry Commission to draw up plans to sell off its holdings.I have listened with great care to what the hon. Gentleman has said and I also listened to the exchanges in the House during business questions. I regret that I do not consider the matter that he has raised to be appropriate for discussion under Standing Order No. 10. Therefore, I cannot submit his application to the House.