§ Mr. Harry Greenway (Ealing, North)I beg to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that should have urgent consideration, namely,
the deterioration of hospital services in Ealing as a result of the industrial dispute involving Ealing council employees.The dispute has arisen because, before the elections last May, the Labour party promised council employees a review of the non-payment of the London weighting allowance, but, gaining control, the new Labour council has refused to pay London weighting.
Hospital services have been seriously affected. Ealing hospital cannot send people out into the community because no back-up services are available for them. The hospital is slowly coming to a standstill because there can be no discharges into the community and admissions cannot be accepted because hospital beds are full. People cannot have urgent operations and treatment. One side effect of the damage caused to Ealing hospital is that welfare officers are not operating in schools. About 32 schools in Ealing are closed today, including special schools for disabled children, some of whom are severely handicapped.
The matter is serious and urgent. It is also specific and important. Ealing hospital is central to the welfare of the people of Ealing and must be kept going. The dispute between Ealing council and its employees must be ended urgently.
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Member asks leave to move the Adjournment of the House for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that he believes should have urgent consideration. namely,
the deterioration of hospital services in Ealing as a result of the industrial dispute involving Ealing council employees.I have listened with care to what the hon. Gentleman has said, but I regret that I do not consider the matter that he has raised as appropriate for discussion under Standing Order No. 20 and I cannot, therefore, submit his application to the House.