IRAQ really did dominate all at Westminster this week.

With British soldiers risking their lives in a world conflict which the international community felt unable to support, there was little to smile about.

It was just MPs having to justify what must have been horrendous decisions to take - whether they be for or against the current war.

Some honourable men - most notably John Denham - resigned. Others stood firm behind Tony Blair in the knowledge that it could cost them their seat at the next General Election.

But the strange thing about Parliament is that - even in the darkest of times - life goes on.

The timetable changes very little, and we still have Private Member's Bills, Westminster Hall debates and the like.

A 10-minute rule Bill on Pensioner Trustees and Final Payments was even allowed to delay the start of the Prime Minister's crucial speech on military action on Tuesday. Much later that evening - after MPs had taken part in the most crucial vote in many years - the House continued sitting for an adjournment debate on asylum.

During these times, we did have the odd light-hearted moment - although I do not for one second suggest flippancy on the part of any MP.

Chief among the exchanges which did bring relief was a memorable rant on recycling by Bill Wiggin.

He was less than happy with a leaflet which council bosses sent to householders in Worcestershire and Herefordshire outlining future options for disposing of rubbish.

It made no sense, he argued. And a quick glance at "option six" gave weight to his argument.

The leaflet read: "Based on achieving a combined level of recycling and composting of 33 per cent, a further 25 per cent of MSW would be sent for thermal treatment and 16 per cent would be sent for treatment at an anaerobic digestion plant. The residue from both these processes and additional waste would be sent to landfill."

As Bill said, this does seem rather complicated for people who are not necessarily expert on the subject.

But it was the following wry observation which I enjoyed most. "The councils have sent out a helpful leaflet - in fact, they sent it to me twice.

"In the spirit of recycling, it seems, it is important that we get plenty of paper and often."