HC Deb 15 July 1987 vol 119 c1141 3.56 pm
Mrs. Ann Clwyd (Cynon Valley)

I beg to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House, under Standing Order No. 20, for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that should have urgent consideration, namely, the report of the armed forces scattering radioactive material in exercises dealing with nuclear accidents".

Mr. Speaker

Order. I hope that the hon. Lady will produce a new factor.

Mrs. Clywd

Yes, Mr. Speaker, there is a new factor. There is now a contradiction. If the 1981 Senator exercise, which was discussed a few moments ago, was a simulation of a road accident involving the transport of nuclear weapons, the need for such an exercise was apparently contradicted in a Written Answer from the Minister for Traffic and Roads, the hon. Member for Eltham (Mr. Bottomley), which stated that radioactive materials being transported could not present a significant danger".—[Official Report, 10 February 1986; Vol. 91, c. 314.] Since that complacent answer, there has been a road accident—involving a nuclear weapons convoy in Wiltshire last January.

The secrecy surrounding such exercises is unnecessary and damaging when it acts as a cover for inadequate procedures, unjustified risks and carelessness with people's lives. We need answers to these questions and remedies for these problems, and we need them now.

Mr. Speaker

May I have the hon. Lady's application, please?

The hon. Member for Cynon Valley (Mrs. Clwyd) asks leave to move the Adjournment of the House under Standing Order Number 20, for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that she thinks should have urgent consideration, namely, the report of the armed forces scattering radioactive material in exercises dealing with nuclear accidents". Again, I have listened with great care to what the hon. Lady has said, and, indeed, to what was said in the exchanges on the private notice question. However, I regret that I do not consider the matter that she has raised appropriate for discussion under Standing Order No. 20.

Mr. Bob Cryer (Bradford, South)

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker

Order. It is not appropriate for discussion under Standing Order No. 20.