Humanitarian Situation in Mosul

Debate between Alec Shelbrooke and John Baron

Wednesday 12th July 2017 Commons Chamber

[Mr John Baron (Basildon and Billericay) (Con)]

rose—

[Alec Shelbrooke (Elmet and Rothwell) (Con)]

rose—

Iran

Debate between Alec Shelbrooke and John Baron

Monday 20th February 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Baron]

That does not answer the actual question. That is circumstantial evidence; it is not concrete evidence of a nuclear weapons programme. It is as straightforward as that. I challenge the hon. Gentleman who asked the question: if he could point to concrete evidence, it would be useful for the House.

[Alec Shelbrooke (Elmet and Rothwell) (Con)]

Will my hon. Friend outline when in his view circumstantial evidence becomes actual evidence—is it when the bomb has dropped, for example?

[Mr Baron]

It is very straightforward. There has to be evidence of nuclear weapons. We were told, for example, that there was no shortage of circumstantial evidence about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, but it turned out that there were no WMD there. That shows how careful we need to be and how clear we need to be about the difference between circumstantial evidence and concrete evidence.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Baron]

Yes, although I suggest an exception: keeping an option on the table that heightens tensions and makes a peaceful outcome less likely is less worthy, and we have to examine that position.

[Alec Shelbrooke]

Will my hon. Friend give way?

[Mr Baron]

No, I am going to make a little progress.