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Iraq and the wider Middle East

Let me make it clear. I believe that the debate—not just our debate today, but the debate in the country—has to be brought to a head, and that the Government’s policy is unsustainable. That is why it is necessary to set what I have described as a framework for withdrawal. I shall tell the House what it is. The fourth anniversary of the end of the combat phase is 1 May. We should begin the process of reduction on that date, using the period between now and then to make the necessary arrangements—I cannot imagine that the Ministry of Defence does not already have skeletal arrangements—and conduct the necessary negotiations with the Iraqi Government, our allies in the coalition and other allies in the region. We are told that by the spring three of the four provinces in which the UK has interest and influence will have been handed over, leaving Basra. The handover of that city could take place between May and July. The Tornado GR4 aircraft operating from Qatar should be withdrawn during that period. After all, they are not confined to acting on behalf of British forces but act on behalf of the coalition in general—