§ Mr. Peter Kilfoyle (Liverpool, Walton)On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. Since we last debated Iraq, we have been presented with a risible, plagiarised dossier on weapons of mass destruction. We have also seen huge demonstrations in London and Glasgow and elsewhere round the world. We have had the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Cardinal Archbishop and His Holiness the Pope repudiating the assertion of some kind of moral justification for war on Iraq. We are now told that there will be a debate on Wednesday, and we are given every indication that it will be a broad motion, to which we can all sign up. Many of us believe that this is make-your-mind-up time on a critical issue of our times. May I seek your advice as to the circumstances in which a Back-Bench amendment to the Government motion might be acceptable?
§ Madam Deputy Speaker (Sylvia Heal)If I recall correctly, the Leader of the House said earlier that the Government motion would be tabled today. Perhaps when the hon. Gentleman and his colleagues see that, they may decide whether they wish to table an amendment, which will enable the Speaker to make a decision whether to select it.
§ Mr. Tony Lloyd (Manchester, Central)Further to that point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. The Leader of the House said that the selection of an amendment is a matter for the Speaker, which the House recognises, of course. Some would say that the country was not divided, with only a small measure of support for the Government. Could you impress on the Speaker the view from the Back Benches that any amendment that is selected should accurately reflect the simple 46 argument that the Government have not yet made their case for war? It is important that the House and the country should know that Parliament is debating these matters in a way that most accurately reflects national sentiments.
§ Madam Deputy SpeakerI understand the gravity of the situation, but we must first see the motion as tabled, and hon. Members can then decide the most appropriate amendment. As I said earlier, it will be for the Speaker to make his decision.
§ David Davis (Haltemprice and Howden)On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. During the recess, the Deputy Prime Minister wrote to me notifying me that a statement was being made in the House of Lords about funding to local authorities for the first year's supporting people programme. He wrote:
I regret it has not proven possible to make this announcement while the House of Commons was sitting.He provides no explanation for that.The programme affects the housing of a million elderly people and has a £50 million effect on local government funding. At the same time, £400 million is being taken off that funding through the abolition of social housing grant, about which local authorities have not been notified. This Friday, the local authorities must, by law, set their budgets. This is a shambolic and incompetent way to run local government finance. Have you had any indication of a statement from the Deputy Prime Minister this week, so that the matter can be sorted out as soon as possible?
§ Madam Deputy SpeakerI have had no indication from any Minister that they wish to make a statement to the House, but I am sure that a note will have been made of the right hon. Gentleman's comments.