Prime Minister's question asked in the House of Commons, by Robert N Wareing (Labour). It was answered on Wednesday, 26 April 2006 on behalf of the Prime Minister.

Engagements

Question: When the Prime Minister hears about British soldiers losing their lives in Iraq, he usually—in fact, always, and correctly—makes a statement from the Dispatch Box expressing sympathy. Today, in Committee Room 16 at 12.30 there will be members of the families of those who have lost their lives in Iraq. Will the Prime Minister spare five or 10 minutes to meet them?

Answer: For the reasons that I have given on many occasions, I yield to nobody in my support and admiration for the work that the soldiers do in Iraq. It is also important, however, from my perspective and also from the perspective of those who are serving out in Iraq, that they know that we are fully behind the work that they are doing there. They are there with a United Nations resolution and the full support of the Iraqi Government. I believe that at this moment it is important that they know that they are doing a job that is right and worth while, and is absolutely necessary for this country's security.

Secondary information