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Beckett warns as MPs debate Iraq Beckett warns as MPs debate Iraq
(40 minutes later)
Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett has warned the House of Commons "this is not the time" for an inquiry into Iraq.Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett has warned the House of Commons "this is not the time" for an inquiry into Iraq.
MPs are debating a Scottish National Party and Plaid Cymru call for a probe into what Plaid's Adam Price called the "monumental catastrophe" of the war.MPs are debating a Scottish National Party and Plaid Cymru call for a probe into what Plaid's Adam Price called the "monumental catastrophe" of the war.
The Tories may support the motion if ministers do not agree to a broader inquiry once UK troops have left Iraq.The Tories may support the motion if ministers do not agree to a broader inquiry once UK troops have left Iraq.
But Mrs Beckett warned that agreeing to either inquiry now would send the wrong signal "at the wrong time" to Iraq.But Mrs Beckett warned that agreeing to either inquiry now would send the wrong signal "at the wrong time" to Iraq.
She urged MPs to remember that "our words... will be heard a very long way away. They can be heard by our troops who are already in great danger in Iraq".She urged MPs to remember that "our words... will be heard a very long way away. They can be heard by our troops who are already in great danger in Iraq".
She added: "They can be heard by the Iraqi people and by their government."She added: "They can be heard by the Iraqi people and by their government."
'Learn the lessons''Learn the lessons'
Mrs Beckett, leading for the government in a debate which is due to culminate in a vote at about 1910 GMT, said there had been four inquiries related to the Iraq war already.Mrs Beckett, leading for the government in a debate which is due to culminate in a vote at about 1910 GMT, said there had been four inquiries related to the Iraq war already.
She declined calls from MPs for a commitment to hold an inquiry once British troops had left Iraq, although Downing Street had earlier said "there is no doubt that at the end of our period there (Iraq) people will want to look back". She declined calls for a commitment to hold an inquiry once British troops had left Iraq, although Downing Street had earlier said "there is no doubt that at the end of our period there (Iraq) people will want to look back".
What would demoralise soldiers in the field is the belief that the government have put us in a bloody quagmire, and have no idea whatsoever how to get out of it Alex SalmondSNP Key points: Iraq debateWhat would demoralise soldiers in the field is the belief that the government have put us in a bloody quagmire, and have no idea whatsoever how to get out of it Alex SalmondSNP Key points: Iraq debate
Opening the debate Adam Price of Plaid Cymru said there had been a breakdown in the system of goverment, which Parliament must fix. Opening the debate, Mr Price said there had been a breakdown in the system of government, which Parliament must fix.
He said: "The issue at its heart is far bigger than party politics - it's about accountability, it's about the monumental catastrophe of the Iraq war - the worst foreign policy disaster certainly since Suez, possibly since Munich and it's about the morass in which we regrettably still find ourselves."He said: "The issue at its heart is far bigger than party politics - it's about accountability, it's about the monumental catastrophe of the Iraq war - the worst foreign policy disaster certainly since Suez, possibly since Munich and it's about the morass in which we regrettably still find ourselves."
'Not the time''Not the time'
The three hour debate is the first full Commons debate on Iraq since July 2004. It is the first full Commons debate on Iraq since July 2004.
The SNP and Plaid motion calls for a committee of seven senior MPs to review "the way in which the responsibilities of government were discharged in relation to Iraq".The SNP and Plaid motion calls for a committee of seven senior MPs to review "the way in which the responsibilities of government were discharged in relation to Iraq".
HAVE YOUR SAY Instead of being retrospective why not look into what can be done to help Iraq now? Qwerty, UK Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY Instead of being retrospective why not look into what can be done to help Iraq now? Qwerty, UK Send us your comments
The wording matches a motion from November 2005, which was signed by more than 160 MPs of all parties, including 32 Labour MPs. The wording matches a motion from November 2005, which was signed by more than 160 MPs of all parties, including 32 from Labour.
If that number of Labour MPs rebel, and all non-Labour MPs vote for the motion, the government could be defeated, although that is unlikely as few Labour MPs tend to rebel on other parties' motions. If that number of Labour MPs rebel, and all non-Labour MPs vote for the motion, the government could be defeated, although that is unlikely as few ruling party MPs tend to rebel on others' motions.
However, if Mr Blair was defeated, an inquiry would go ahead, although it could be overturned at a later date, possibly through a confidence vote. If Mr Blair was defeated, an inquiry would go ahead, although it could be overturned at a later date, possibly through a confidence vote.
SNP leader Alex Salmond said ahead of the debate that the government's argument that an inquiry could have consequences for troops was "desperate stuff". SNP leader Alex Salmond said government arguments that an inquiry could have consequences for troops was "desperate stuff".
"Debates and inquiries should take place when things are happening, hopefully then there is a chance to do something to improve the situation." "Debates and inquiries should take place when things are happening. Hopefully then there is a chance to do something to improve the situation."
'Entirely legitimate''Entirely legitimate'
The Conservatives favour an investigation, similar to the Franks inquiry carried out after the Falklands war, involving former generals and civil servants rather than just MPs.The Conservatives favour an investigation, similar to the Franks inquiry carried out after the Falklands war, involving former generals and civil servants rather than just MPs.
They say it should take place in about 12 months' time, by when ministers have said Iraqi security forces should be taking over responsibilities from British troops. They say it should take place in about a year's time, by when ministers have said Iraqi security forces should be taking over responsibilities from British troops.
Shadow foreign secretary William Hague said it was important to look at the aftermath of the toppling of Saddam, from the successful elections to the failure to reconstruct Iraq's economy.Shadow foreign secretary William Hague said it was important to look at the aftermath of the toppling of Saddam, from the successful elections to the failure to reconstruct Iraq's economy.
During the debate Mr Hague told the Commons the foreign secretary had "made a mistake" by not making a firm commitment to hold an inquiry at some point. He said the foreign secretary had "made a mistake" by not making a firm commitment to hold an inquiry at some point.
"None of us can credibly argue that there will not be lessons to be learnt of huge importance for this government and future governments, and ministers should have no hesitation in acknowledging that.""None of us can credibly argue that there will not be lessons to be learnt of huge importance for this government and future governments, and ministers should have no hesitation in acknowledging that."
Earlier Liberal Democrat foreign spokesman Michael Moore, said it was "entirely legitimate" to ask questions of ministers, without undermining troops' morale. Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesman Michael Moore, said it was "entirely legitimate" to ask questions of ministers, without undermining troops' morale.
"We want to know that the government actually have a proper plan for Iraq that's got milestones... that recognises we cannot be there indefinitely," he said."We want to know that the government actually have a proper plan for Iraq that's got milestones... that recognises we cannot be there indefinitely," he said.