Mary Henry (Independent)

I support those who asked for a debate on Iraq early next week. It is important that we try to address this matter from the perspective of an area in which we are involved, namely, the provision of humanitarian aid. The pictures we have seen of the distribution of aid, to date, have been appalling. The Government has said that it will give money for aid and other organisations here are also asking for money. We have aid workers waiting in Kuwait to go into Iraq as soon as possible. We need to look at the issue from the perspective of the part of it in which we are seriously involved.

Will the Leader ask the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Tim O'Malley, to come before the House to discuss the appallingly slow implementation of the Mental Health Act 2001. Progress is at a snail's pace and this is causing great difficulties for those working in the psychiatric services and for patients who are not being properly treated under many of the Council of Europe and other conventions.