Armed Forces (Parliamentary Approval for Armed Conflict) Bill
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Central Lobby
What the Bill does
The Armed Forces Bill was presented to Parliament on 22nd June 2005 and has its Seocnd Reading on 21st October 2005. The bill was introduced by Rt Hon Clare Short MP and has support from all sides of the House, including Rt Hon William Hague, Rt Hon Ken Clarke and Rt Hon Sir Menzies Campbell. And, over 170 MPs have signed Early Day Motion (EDM) 85 in support of the bill.
If the bill was passed it would require the Prime Minister to seek the approval of the House of Commons before sending British troops to war. The Bill contains safeguards in case of emergencies (such as the Falklands in 1980) meaning that the Prime Minister would have to gain retrospective permission for sending troops to war. This is based on the approval from Congress required by the US President before committing American troops to conflict. This bill is based on recommendations from the Public Administration Select Committee which recommends that the Royal perogative be changed so as to enhance scrutiny and to return some power to Parliament.
Status
- Second Reading in the House of Commons is due on 21 October 2005
- Presented to the House of Commons on 22 June 2005 (TheyWorkForYou page)
