Commons to approve future wars

Prime Ministers will have to get the approval of the House of Commons before sending British soldiers to war again, under new plans.

The premier will also be required to set out the objectives of military action as well as any legal issues in a report to MPs before committing troops.

The proposals, set out in a Government white paper, were unveiled by Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary Jack Straw as parliamentary debate over Iraq continues to rage.

But Mr Straw told MPs there will also be exemptions from the requirement to seek Commons approval in emergencies or when operational secrecy would be compromised.

"These changes, if agreed, would define a clear role for Parliament in the most critical of all decisions to face a nation, whilst ensuring that our nation's security is not compromised," he said in a Commons statement.

The news came after he dismissed Tory calls for an immediate inquiry into the invasion of Iraq.

The minister insisted an investigation into the war will have to wait until British forces' work in Iraq is over, saying troops should not be "distracted by what would inevitably and understandably be a very significant argument about whether it is right or wrong for them to be present".

Shadow Foreign Secretary William Hague said "now is the right time", claiming key records could be lost if an inquiry is delayed.

The Lib Dems tabled an amendment to the Conservative motion, calling for both Labour and Tory MPs who backed the invasion to apologise.

Lib Dem foreign affairs spokesman Ed Davey said: "For the Tories to demand an inquiry into the Iraq war is like Ronnie Biggs wanting an inquiry into the Great Train Robbery."

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