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 proposed purchase by the Government of an early warning system for the Royal Air Force. The matter is specific—whether the Government should purchase a British system or a foreign system. The matter is important because the decision will have fundamental consequences for our national defences, for Britain's defence industries and, of course, for the British taxpayer. The matter is urgent because during the next few days the Cabinet may make decisions on this matter and because, although the Secretary of State for Defence has publicly expressed his confidence in the British system, officials in his Department are publicly and actively canvassing the case for the purchase of the system of the foreign contractor.

We believe that the matter is so important that, before any irrevocable decisions are taken, it should be debated immediately in the House.