Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Mark Pritchard (Conservative). It was answered on Monday, 10 July 2006 on behalf of the Leader of the House of Commons.

Select Committee Reports

Question: I am grateful for that response, but time pressures will always be with us. Some very important Select Committee reports are discussed in the House all the time, not least the Defence Committee’s fifth report following its Afghanistan inquiry. The Committee said, for example,"““We do not believe it will prove possible to complete the reform of the security and justice institutions in Helmand within the three-year commitment so far made.””" Given that that three-year commitment has been repeated time and again, does not the Deputy Leader of the House agree that the whole House needs an opportunity to discuss that report, Afghanistan and the UK commitment over a three-year period, or even beyond that?

Answer: I understand that there are up to five days when defence issues are due to be debated in this House and that would clearly be a suitable topic during those debates. Also, many statements are made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence and other Ministers on defence issues, and I am pleased that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is here today to listen to the point made by the hon. Gentleman.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 448 c1113-4
Session: 2005-06
Oral question type: 1st Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Commons chamber
Subjects: Debates House of Commons Select committees Select Committee reports House of Commons chamber
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk