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Part of Prime Minister – in the House of Commons at 11:30 am on 19 May 2004.

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Photo of Charles Kennedy Charles Kennedy Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Leader of the Liberal Democrats 11:30, 19 May 2004

I thank the Prime Minister for that very clear reply. I am sure that the whole House will welcome it.

On the related question of the possible further deployment of British troops, if the US requests that further British troops be deployed—and that may happen outside the present British sector and involve an extension of the troops' role into Najaf—will the Prime Minister confirm that the House of Commons will be able to vote before any such deployment takes place? Will he also guarantee that any such decision and announcement will not be slipped out during a parliamentary recess?