Clause 8 — Desertion

Part of Orders of the Day – in the House of Commons at 3:45 pm on 22 May 2006.

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Photo of Harry Cohen Harry Cohen Labour, Leyton and Wanstead 3:45, 22 May 2006

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for giving way and for his support for my point of order earlier, which came over somewhat awkwardly—my point of order, that is, not his support for me, which was very eloquent. Clause 8(3)(a) says that "relevant service" means:

"actions or operations against an enemy".

He said that the clause applied to Iraq. My understanding is that we have not declared anyone an enemy. I know that a war on terror has been announced, but can he cast some light on who is an enemy in these circumstances? It is said that there are insurgents and terrorists. We know that British soldiers have died. Why cannot the Committee be told who actually is the enemy? Why cannot it be legislated for in some way?