Constitution Committee war powers inquiry
| On 11 August 2005 the House of Lords Constitution Committee announced 'an inquiry on the use of the royal prerogative power by Government to deploy the UK's armed forces'. |
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The current constitutional position is that the executive – and in particular the Prime Minister – is able to make decisions over engaging in military conflict without the need for formal parliamentary approval. Democratic Audit produced a submission arguing that this Royal Prerogative power should be placed on a statutory basis, with votes required in the legislature.
| Professor Stuart Weir and Dr. Andrew Blick appeared in front of the Committee on 8 February 2006. |
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After the session at the request of the Committee they submitted an Additional Statement. They re-iterated their concern that, though its reform was essential, the 'war power' should not be detached from the other royal prerogatives, all of which require democratisation. They provided a more detailed description of their proposal for a parliamentary committee of both Houses to oversee international affairs, including matters of war and peace.
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