§ Mr. Jonathan Sayeed (Mid-Bedfordshire)On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. If there is a debate on a substantive motion before ground troops are committed in Iraq, and given the clear disquiet that exists in the House at the prospect of war, can you confirm that it would be both in order and advisable for a free vote to take place on such a motion when it is brought before the House?
§ Mr. SpeakerThat is a hypothetical matter and has nothing to do with me. Free votes have absolutely nothing to do with me—I seldom get a vote these days.
Mrs. Alice Mahn (Halifax)Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. Now that the Bush Administration have blatantly given contracts to American corporations to rebuild Iraq once they have bombed it, and despite the spin from No. 10 that Donald Rumsfeld was trying to be helpful to this country when he made it clear that they do not need United Kingdom troops for such bombing—in fact, on the basis of that, the Prime Minister could now bring our troops home—how can we go about securing a debate on what are momentous events by any standards?
§ Mr. SpeakerI have no responsibility for the actions of American politicians or of the American President's officials. They have absolutely nothing to do with me.
§ Mr. Tony McWalter (Hemel Hempstead)On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I have just received a pager message saying that the Prime Minister of Serbia has been shot dead. I should be grateful if the House would take cognizance of that fact in the way that it organises its affairs.
§ Mr. SpeakerI am very sorry to hear about that.
§ Jeremy Corbyn (Islington, North)On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. At times of national debate and national crisis, the House looks to you to represent it, and the public look to the House to represent them. You will undoubtedly be aware that throughout this country people are talking about the possibility of British troops being deployed in Iraq in the next few days. Can you assure us that as soon as there is any firm news from the United Nations or about the deployment, the House will be given the opportunity to have a debate—if need be, on an application for an emergency motion—so that it can represent the views of the ordinary people of this country, who are deeply concerned about the danger of going to war?
§ Mr. SpeakerIt is my duty to protect the rights of Back Benchers. As a Back Bencher of long standing, the hon. Gentleman will know that tomorrow's business questions perhaps provides an occasion for him to raise those matters.
- BILLS PRESENTED
- HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE (COMMUNITY HEALTH AND STANDARDS) 147 words c309
- LOCAL COMMUNITIES SUSTAINABILITY 121 words
-
c309