AS the debate over Iraq rages, Preston politicians spoke to The Citizen to discuss the feared war with Iraq.

Prime Minister Tony Blair is visiting Blackpool this month for the Trades Union and Labour Party conferences. But the region's MPs are on the edge of their seats to hear what he has to say about the Middle East.

Speaking yesterday Preston MP Mark Hendrick said he was against Parliament being recalled until the Prime Minister had gathered together his evidence against Saddam Hussein.

He said: "My view is that there is still room for debate within the UN about the threat that Saddam Hussein poses and whether or not that threat is really imminent and if there is a need to take action. Today should be a reminder that attacks generally come as a surprise and out of the blue and it should make us wary of the same type of attack some time in the future."

South Ribble MP David Borrow said he has made it clear to the Prime Minister that he will argue against any military action unless there is evidence to support it.

He said: "The fact that Iraq has various weapons is not in itself enough to justify military action -- other countries also have weapons of mass destruction.

"The key question is what is the risk that Iraq may use the weapons it has? And also is there evidence that it is developing better weapons?

"There may come a point when the threat posed by Iraq is so great that military action is justified."

But Conservative Fylde MP Michael Jack said he thought Parliament should be recalled to discuss the situation before any action is taken.

He said: "I think it's important that Parliament should hear what the Prime Minister has to say. It's important that Parliament is advised and kept informed.

"He gave a speech about it to the TUC, and Parliament is more important than that."

And Nigel Evans, Conservative MP for the Ribble Valley, agreed. He said: "The Government should heed the call of many people that Parliament must be recalled to debate these very serious issues.

"The promised information on Iraq's weapons capabilities must be published as soon as possible and MPs should be allowed to debate the findings at the earliest possible opportunity."