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Iraq (Basra Incident)

My hon. Friend puts into the public domain a figure that is burned into my mind, and that figure will be with me for all the time that I do this job and for the rest of my life. He does not need to remind me of that figure or of the tragic consequences of these circumstances. If he seeks to persuade me, in my new-found responsibilities, that early withdrawal from Iraq is an objective for which I ought to argue, he has not found an ally. As those whom we charge with the responsibility for doing this difficult job told us from southern Iraq this morning, in an interview through their representatives, they have a job to do and it needs to be seen through. In my view, we have a commitment to remain in Iraq as long as we are needed and the Iraqi Government want us there, and until the job is done. In my new-found responsibilities, I will do everything to support and help those whom we have asked to do the job at the front line.