Mr. Stephen Kelly:

We did have a mission in the Golan Heights. I am not across the details of the latest developments. I know it was terminated but I understand the new regime in Syria is seeking to negotiate with Israel the possible surrender of the Golan Heights. I need to look at the details of that so someone else would be better placed to comment.

On evacuation, the Defence (Amendment) Act 2006 allows for evacuations under the law as it stands so I think the law already caters for situations where there is an urgent need. The key distinction is that it is not a combat-type mission. For us the key issue is -----