The Military Action Against Iraq (Parliamentary Approval) Bill was a private member's bill introduced into the British House of Commons on 26 January 1999 by Tam Dalyell MP under the ten minute rule. The bill sought to transfer the power to authorise military strikes against Iraq from the monarch to Parliament. The long title of the bill was a Bill to require the prior approval, by a simple majority of the House of Commons, of military action by United Kingdom forces against Iraq. It was presented by Tam Dalyell and supported by Tony Benn, Harry Cohen, Jeremy Corbyn, George Galloway, Neil Gerrard, Dr Ian Gibson, John McAllion, Alice Mahon, Robert Marshall-Andrews, Dennis Skinner and Audrey Wise.

The bill had its first reading on 26 January 1999, becoming Bill 35 in the 1998/1999 session, and was initially scheduled for second reading on 16 April 1999. As a bill modifying the monarch's prerogative powers, the Queen was required to consent to it being heard. This is an instance of one situation in which more direct monarchical assent than the rather technical Royal Assent is required for a bill to become an Act of Parliament.

The Queen, acting under the instructions of the government, refused to signify her consent to the bill, so second reading was postponed from 16 April to 23 July 1999. Due to the Crown's refusal to signify its consent to the bill, it was ultimately automatically dropped before it obtained its second reading.

Further reading

• Erskine May, Parliamentary Practice (2004), page 605, ISBN 0406970947

External links

• Military Action Against Iraq (Parliamentary Approval) Bill (http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/cm199899/cmbills/035/1999035.htm)
• First reading (http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm199899/cmhansrd/vo990126/debtext/90126-06.htm#90126-06_spnew9) (26 January 1999)
• Extract from (http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm199899/cmhansrd/vo990416/debtext/90416-21.htm) Hansard (16 April 1999) (Queen's consent has not been signified. Second Reading what day? ... Friday 23 July.)
• Weekly Information Bulletin (http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm199899/cmwib/wb990717/pub.htm) (17 July 1999, giving second reading date)
• Order of Business (http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm199899/cmagenda/ob990723.htm) (23 July 1999, (Queen's Consent to be signified))
• Extract from (http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm199899/cmhansrd/vo990723/debtext/90723-23.htm) Hansard (23 July 1999) (As the Queen's consent has not been obtained, this cannot be dealt with. Second Reading what day? No day named.)
• Weekly Information Bulletin (http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm199899/cmwib/wb990729/pub.htm) (29 July 1999, dropped before second reading )