Iraq: Future Strategic Relationship

I heard the claim that the hon. Gentleman made earlier about what the former Secretary of State for International Development allegedly wrote in that memo. I have to say that she is a Member of the House with whom I do not often see eye to eye, and she is no longer a member of my political party, but I am struggling to believe the veracity of that claim. It is a claim that I have never heard anywhere in the House or in our media in all the course of the past six years, and I ask the hon. Gentleman to reflect on that fact. My right hon. Friend the Member for Cynon Valley (Ann Clwyd), who has a huge track record of being absolutely right on Iraq over a long period of time, made an excellent contribution. She rightly highlighted the role of our troops, but she also mentioned the bit that is often forgotten: the role of officials who have gone back to Iraq time and again in very difficult circumstances and given enormous service. She also rightly welcomed the constitutional arrangements that have been set up in Iraq to enable 25 per cent. female representation in the Iraqi Parliament. Like her, I am aware of reports that the published version of the provincial elections law is different from the one that was agreed by the Iraqi Parliament, and that it might reduce the female quota. This is a matter for the Iraqis, but I very much welcome the fact that the Iraqi Parliament, led by its women's committee, is trying to resolve that issue to ensure that the agreed quota of at least 25 per cent. remains in place. The contribution by my hon. Friend the Member for Stockton, South (Ms Taylor) demonstrated her experience, knowledge and understanding of military matters. She brought home something that I think we have all experienced over the past few years—namely, the conflicting emotions as Iraq has gone through this change of fortunes. Like her, I very much welcome the fact that we are at the top end of those fortunes at the moment.