John Baron MP presses Government for statement on President Obama’s IS policy

MP says Parliament should be updated

Overnight, President Obama set out US policy against the Islamic State (IS). This morning in the House of Commons, during Business Questions, John Baron MP asked the Leader of the House, Rt Hon William Hague MP, whether there would be a statement tomorrow to update Parliament on the Government’s position. Tomorrow is the last opportunity for a statement until Parliament returns from the conference recess on 13th October.

In the House of Commons, John asked,

“Many colleagues welcome the Government’s assurance that any military intervention in Iraq or Syria will first be debated and voted upon by the House of Commons. However, given President Obama’s speech, made only hours ago, which seemed to go beyond the Foreign Secretary’s comfort zone in the debate yesterday, including striking at IS in Syria, will the Government make a statement to update Parliament?”

The Leader of the House responded that the Government did not intend to give a statement.

Afterwards, John said,

“President Obama’s comments last night go beyond the Foreign Secretary’s position in yesterday’s debate, in which he said intervention in Syria posed more uncertainties than in Iraq. Given that Parliament will shortly be in conference recess, it’s only right that the Government clarifies its position to Parliament.”