His foreign minister, Ariel Sharon (who as defence minister in 1982 ordered a large-scale invasion of Lebanon), has now thrown out the suggestion that the election be postponed and an emergency government formed to get Israel out of Lebanon.

ECONOMIST: Israel��s mess in Lebanon

Its preferred option is that from 2200 BST to 0800 BST, the department would be run by a new urgent care co-operative to be formed between the department and its GP out-of-hours service.

BBC: Trust attacked on GP recruitment at Downe Hospital

The bill also sets out that Parliament could be dissolved early only if no government could be formed within 14 days of a simple majority vote of no confidence, or if two-thirds of MPs voted to trigger a general election.

BBC: Period between devolved elections 'could be extended'