THE Government's long-awaited dossier on Saddam Hussein certainly makes for chilling reading.

The document, which was released this morning ahead of the recalling of Parliament, maintains that Iraq is one or two years away from building a nuclear weapon.

It also asserts that Saddam has military plans for the use of chemical and biological weapons.

This is the evidence that Prime Minister Tony Blair has for so long wanted to bring into public to back up his belief that a war against Iraq would be just.

After keeping the House of Commons out of this most important dispute for far too long, Mr Blair today put his argument in an emergency debate. This much is certainly for the good, because discussion on this vital issue has, so far, taken place everywhere but Parliament.

What now has to be asked is whether or not the dossier provides substantial new evidence of Saddam's evil intent or if it merely reiterates what was already known.

Whatever the case, it cannot ever be forgotten that Saddam Hussein is an evil leader whose dangerous instability could threaten world peace.

For all such very real concerns, the question of Britain's possible role in a war against Iraq remains unanswered. Opinion is sharply divided in this country and many people are deeply uneasy at the thought of thousands of Iraqi civilians being killed during any campaign.

Today's debate in Parliament, and the publication of the dossier on Saddam Hussein, should be seen as opening salvos in the deliberation.

It would be dangerous to view the dossier as having clinched the argument for war. Instead this should just be the beginning of many long and careful discussions.

Tony Blair clearly and passionately believes he has right on his side, and the firmness of his belief deserves our respect. But prime ministerial passion alone is not enough to justify war against Iraq. Further discussion is needed on this most vital and seemingly intractable of matters.

Updated: 10:30 Tuesday, September 24, 2002