§ Q5. Mr. Graham Allen (Nottingham, North)What steps he is taking to reduce his workload; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Prime MinisterNone.
§ Mr. AllenGiven his workload, will the Prime Minister tell the House and the nation what legal or statutory authority he has to commit British troops to war?
§ The Prime MinisterI shall act in accordance with constitutional precedent and with the way in which this 255 country has always approached such issues. The Government, including me, will act in accordance with international law.
§ Sue Doughty (Guildford)Is the Prime Minister aware that many people in Palestine fear that, in the case of military action, the eyes of the world will be distracted from them and that they are at risk of more illegal incursions by Israel? What will the Government do about that?
§ The Prime MinisterAs part of my workload, it is important to focus on the middle east peace process. The Government have tried to play a part in that by taking forward the process of political reform in the Palestinian Authority. I believe that it is as important as anything else in the world today to try to ensure a just and lasting settlement in the middle east, based on the two-state solution: an Israel that is confident of its security and a viable Palestinian state. We will work towards that outcome.