VISIT TO THE UK OF CONDOLEEZA RICE

That this House notes that the US Secretary of State, Condoleeza Rice, was invited by the right hon. Member for Blackburn to visit his constituency and Merseyside in April 2006, despite objections to the role she played in organising the tragic and illegal invasion of Iraq; further notes that on Merseyside 1,295 police officers were assigned to ensure her security; is disgusted that the £369,338 police bill is having to be met by Merseyside's council taxpayers, having been refused funding by the Home Office despite their willingness to meet Lancashire's police bill of £174,000 for security whilst Dr Rice was in Blackburn; believes it is wrong to have one set of rules for one police authority and a completely different set of rules for its neighbour; and calls for Merseyside's police bill for the protection of Condoleeza Rice to be paid for by the Home Office or by the right hon. Member for Blackburn.