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Iraq (Basra Incident)

I welcome the right hon. Gentleman to his new post and wish him well. On behalf of my right hon. Friend the Member for North Antrim (Rev. Ian Paisley) and my hon. Friends in the Democratic Unionist party, I express sincere sympathy and extend our condolences to all the families who have endured such loss. No one can understand the grief or pain that they are going through, and our hearts go out to them. I assure the Secretary of State that the people of Northern Ireland will stand four-square with our soldiers who have gone to the front line in defence of freedom, and assure them of our support while they fight the battle in Iraq.