HC Deb 17 March 1986 vol 94 c20 3.34 pm
Mr. Peter Snape (West Bromwich, 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 privatisation of British Airways. The matter is specific because, despite last week's written reply, it is understood that the chairman of British Airways is today seeing the Prime Minister to urge a management buy-out in apparent defiance of the decision of the Secretary of State for Transport.

The matter is important because these decisions should be taken by the House, not over expensive lunches at the Savoy hotel by most of the members of the 1922 Committee. It is urgent because the future of the world's largest airline is being seriously affected by the uncertainties surrounding its prospects and the open and public disagreement between its chairman and his sponsoring Minister, the Secretary of State for Transport.

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member 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 privatisation of British Airways. I listened carefully to the hon. Member, but I regret that I do not consider that the matter that he has raised is appropriate for discussion under Standing Order No. 10 and I cannot, therefore, submit his application to the House.