PARLIAMENTARY APPROVAL FOR PARTICIPATION IN ARMED CONFLICT

Early day motion 85, tabled 17 May 2005 by Neil Gerrard (Labour). Signed by 233 members.

That this House believes that the decision to deploy British armed forces in conflict is of the most serious nature possible; notes that this is a decision to be taken by Ministers via the Royal Prerogative and that Parliament has no right to decide on the matter or even to be consulted; further notes that the Public Administration Select Committee has recommended in its report of 4th March 2004 that this situation should be ended and that Parliament should have the right to decide this matter in advance, or in cases of emergency retrospectively; further notes that in the last session of Parliament over 200 honourable Members supported this view; and therefore calls on the Government to introduce legislation to this effect.

Signatures by party: Labour 121, Liberal Democrat 62, Conservative 36, Scottish National Party 6, Plaid Cymru 3, Social Democratic and Labour Party 3, Independent 1, Respect 1.