With permission, I should like to make a short business statement. Given the situation in Afghanistan, I am sure all right hon. and hon. Members will agree that the subject is appropriate for a fuller debate than we had originally planned for this week. I announce the following business:

The business for Thursday 16 July will now be-topical debate on the preparation for the Copenhagen climate change conference followed by general debate on Afghanistan.

In addition, there has been a change to one of the subjects selected by the Official Opposition on Wednesday 15 July. The first part will now be a debate on US/UK extradition treaty followed by a debate on care for the elderly.

May I thank the hon. Lady for her announcement and say that Conservative Members very much welcome her statement? The whole House, indeed the whole country, is concerned about the situation in Afghanistan, especially about the fate of our brave young men and women who daily put their lives on the line for Afghanistan's future and our continued freedom.

It is regrettable, however, that this announcement has had to be forced from the Government-and only after a weekend of bad headlines and distressing news of casualties. The House will no doubt reflect on the Government's tendency to take action only when it is in their own political interests to do so. Will the Deputy Leader of the House give us an assurance that she will do her utmost to ensure that no Government statements are made on Thursday so that we have the maximum time to discuss this crucial issue? [Interruption.] I fail to see why the Government Chief Whip is laughing; given the seriousness of this issue, I think it is perfectly in order to ask for it to be accorded the importance it deserves-an importance that not only we but the whole country attaches to it.

I do not believe that the announcement has been forced in any way. Even today we spent some on the issue at Defence questions, and a significant chunk of the Prime Minister's statement covered the situation in Afghanistan as well as the G8 summit. We have already spent a significant amount of today's time on the subject, and it is perfectly right to swap around the topical debate and have even more time for a general debate on Afghanistan on Thursday.

Given the very serious situation in Afghanistan and the dangers faced by our young men and women serving in the armed forces, it is absolutely right to have time to debate the subject this week. I applaud the decision to turn over Thursday's late business for a debate on Afghanistan. Will the Deputy Leader of the House clarify whether the Foreign Secretary, the Secretary of State for Defence or, preferably, the Prime Minister will lead that debate? There are clear interlocking defence and foreign affairs considerations in debating Afghanistan and it would be best to deal with both aspects of the case.

At risk of sounding like the first person to call for the recall of Parliament before we have even reached the summer recess, let me say that we are engaged in a very serious conflict. Circumstances might change over the long summer recess, making it necessary that the House is informed. May I ask the hon. Lady to give some thought to how Members will be made aware of any change of circumstances, and the circumstances in which the House will be recalled if that becomes necessary because of matters of grave concern that we ought to be debating?

I thank the hon. Gentleman for his support for the announcement. I tried to contact him a number of times this afternoon to warn him of it. He will understand that it is not for me to say who will lead the debate; it will be decided through the usual channels. However, we have heard what he has said.

My right hon. and learned Friend the Leader of the House made a point about keeping the House informed during the recess following last Thursday's business statement. I will ensure that she is made aware of the point that has been made this evening, and, if necessary, touches on it in this Thursday's business statement.

I welcome the statement, but will the Deputy Leader of the House tell us when she expects to fit in a debate on the Government's motion calling for a Select Committee on Reform of the House of Commons? Last Thursday there was a spare hour that the Government did not use to enable the motion to be debated. Obviously it less likely now that we will have-

Order. Before the hon. Gentleman gets carried away with the development of his question, let me say that it is fair to note that the question simply does not arise from the business statement. I intend no discourtesy to the hon. Gentleman, but in that sense his point is not in order.

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. The statement made by the Deputy Leader of the House refers to this Thursday. If I had been given an opportunity to conclude my remarks, I should have suggested the tabling of a business motion on Thursday to enable us to debate the motion to which I have referred.

I am sorry to have to explain to the hon. Gentleman a second time, but as it is obviously necessary, I am happy to do so. As I have already said, the question that he raised did not and does not spring from the business statement. If he wishes to raise the point that is of interest to him, he can do so in the context of the business statement on Thursday.

Will the House be able to debate alternatives to military action to achieve the Afghan war objectives more efficiently, with more safety and with less cost?

I have announced a general debate on Afghanistan. I am sure that it will be possible to touch on the points that the hon. Gentleman has raised during that debate.