Mary Henry (Independent)

Like Senator Ryan, I was interested in the reporting of Iraq's appalling death rate. This morning, I bought the International Herald Tribune because I was sure the story would be on its front page, but it is on page five.

Last night, there was a television debate on the report, which was published by the Johns Hopkins University, one of the most prestigious universities in the world. The methodology behind the report is being queried, but that methodology was developed in Harvard. While I have not heard of it being rubbished in any other instance in which it was applied, President Bush asked why the figures from Iraq's morgues are not the same as the report's figures. I have heard anecdotal evidence that, for their own good, doctors in Iraqi hospitals are advised not to count what is going in and out of their morgues too carefully. It would be better for them to leave the country were they to give the accurate statistics, which some did. They have since sought the sanctuary of Syria.

Will the Leader arrange a debate on Iraq? Previously, she has allowed such a discussion several times and she can see that Members on all sides of the House are alarmed by what is happening in Iraq.