Any deployment of UK forces in policing a no-fly zone over Libya will be discussed in a parliamentary debate, the government has indicated.
Commons leader Sir George Young told MPs that as with the Iraq War, the government would give the House the opportunity to debate the matter, however he did not specify that MPs would be given a vote.
Conservative Edward Leigh called for a guarantee that if a no-fly zone is to be imposed, there will be a vote in the House of Commons.
During questions on future Commons business, the Gainsborough MP said:
"Such action would definitely be military action and not risk-free because of the established Libyan air defence systems, which might explain America's reluctance.
"May we definitely have a vote before there is any military action?"
In response, the Commons leader said: "A convention has developed in the House that before troops are committed, the House should have an opportunity to debate the matter.
"We propose to observe that convention except when there is an emergency and such action would not be appropriate.
"As with the Iraq war and other events, we propose to give the House the opportunity to debate the matter before troops are committed."
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