Lords debate Parliament's role in approving the use of armed force
28 November 2013
The House of Lords will debate the Constitution Committee’s report, "Constitutional arrangements for the use of armed force", which was published in July. The debate will be on Thursday 28 November 2013.
The report supported the continuation of the constitutional convention that the House of Commons is given the chance to debate and vote on possible military action. However, the committee concluded that the convention should not be formalised in law or in a parliamentary resolution. The committee expressed concern that, at a time when the types of military intervention and the means of warfare are fluid and constantly changing, a formalised approach could limit military flexibility.
Baroness Jay of Paddington, chairman of the House of Lords Constitution Committee will open the debate and Lord Wallace of Saltaire will respond for the Government. The debate will be in the chamber of the House of Lords and is expected to start at about 5pm.
Other members due to speak in the debate include:
- Baroness Falkner of Margravine
- Lord Guthrie of Craigiebank
- Lord Hennessy of Nympsfield
- Lord Kennedy of Southwark
- Lord Maclennan of Rogart