Part of the debate – in the House of Commons am 12:00 am ar 12 Rhagfyr 1973.
I beg leave to move the Adjournment of the House, under Standing Order No. 9, for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that should have urgent consideration; namely, the work to rule on the railways, its effect on the energy crisis, the worsening economic situation and the overall state of the nation.
I submit that the matter is specific. The work to rule by 29,000 train drivers could critically interrupt the movement of coal and oil supplies. There is already a 6 per cent. voltage reduction throughout the country. That is the maximum possible reduction before power is cut off. That is the situation on top of the trade figures due to be announced tomorrow morning. Further, there will be another meeting of the National Union of Mine-workers tomorrow morning.
The matter is important. It is commonly accepted that Britain faces the worst crisis it has faced since 1931. The President of the CBI talked of us
walking on the edge of a precipice
and of
the biggest test o£ democracy since 1940.
There is not a national newspaper that does not agree that the crisis which we face is important. It is a deep crisis and if it were to be badly handled it could threaten the very fabric of our society.
It is an urgent matter, and while the House fiddles by debating its own car park, whether it should have grass or stone on top of it. the nation burns away its dwindling energy resources and its ability to transport critical supplies. There is an urgent need for leadership and for positive proposals. I believe that they should be made in the House and discussed in the House.
The House of Commons has the right to expect to be the central forum of debate in this country. This matter should take precedence over other business. If the motion is now accepted, Mr. Speaker, under your normal ruling it will be held over for 24 hours to give the House the opportunity to assemble. That means that we would debate it tomorrow. If it were to be moved tomorrow, Thursday, it would be normal for it to be held over until Monday.
The country cannot understand how the House can continue to refuse to debate the seriousness of the situation. I believe that we should debate it on the Adjournment. I suggest that it should not be debated on a party political motion but in the spirit of trying to find concrete solutions to difficult problems.
I do not believe that the country wishes to have a General Election. The country wishes the Government not to run away from their responsibilities——