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Iraq (Basra Incident)

I welcome the right hon. Gentleman to his new position and wish him all the best. The right hon. Gentleman was rather cynical about the coverage by broadcasters of the uprising that may or may not be taking place. I join him in that cynicism, but I draw his attention to one matter of concern. I hope that he will be able to comment on it, but if not, he will certainly be able to focus on it in the coming days. It is not the number of people on the streets, with which I am sure we can deal, that is the major concern, but the widespread use of anti-air missiles. Will he confirm that there have been previous attacks on helicopters using such weapons?