PARLIAMENT reconvened this week following the Whitsun recess.

During the recess I visited a number of local employers, most notably Dstl at Porton. During the visit I discussed investment in and around Porton Down, especially the Helios Project and the new Science Park.

A site visit to the developing magazine facility on the range was followed by discussions with representatives from several areas of Dstl, including the Centre for Defence Enterprise, Knowledge Innovation and Futures Enterprise, Medical Countermeasures and Diagnostics, Physical Protection, Ploughshare and Support to Operations.

There is no doubt that Dstl is a world-class capability that is critical to the nation’s security. I am proud to have Dstl Porton Down in my constituency and look forward to continuing to support its work and the private sector job opportunities it generates for Salisbury.

The week in Parliament started with questions to the local government ministers – for whom I act as the parliamentary private secretary – and then a statement from the Prime Minister on the EU Council and the Woolwich atrocity.

The decision by the EU to lift the arms embargo on the Syrian opposition attracted most questions. This issue is one which I feel very torn on. Without doubt the Russians will continue to support the Assad regime and the grave risk is that unless the “responsible” opposition are supported then the regime will continue to inflict atrocities on innocent civilians.

However, I am only too aware that “the opposition” is not a homogenous or easily identifiable group and as such any future decision to provide military support needs to be carefully thought through, as the implications for potentially fuelling a proxy war are significant.

What is also true though is that the diplomatic efforts are failing and many innocent people are being killed and displaced; walking by on the other side while mass slaughter continues is not palatable either. Whatever happens, Parliament should be given an opportunity to discuss and vote on any decision on providing arms before it happens.

Visits to Stonehenge School, TraumaCare, Abbeyfield, Shaw Trust open day and a seminar on localism and parish councils will complete my constituency duties at the end of the week.