What a week it's been and today was yet another brain-teaser. Do we or do we not begin bombing ISIL in Syria in addition to Iraq? After a morning's run, I was ready for the day and the Prime Minister's statement on this vexed question, which was due at 1030. At the appointed time, Mr Cameron stood up and began to make his statement, which is also on my website in full. He struck exactly the right tone and a packed House listened with respect to a well crafted argument in favour of extending bombing to Syria. Mr Corbyn's reply came in the form of seven questions, all of them perfectly reasonable, to be fair. Anyway, the two main players having left the court, it was over to the backbenchers like myself to ask questions. There were many excellent points put to Mr Cameron and he answered them all very well, admitting, quite rightly, that he could not guarantee a major ground war in which local troops took and held ground from ISIL. And that was the main sticking points for several MPs on both sides of the House. The Prime Minister's view was that we couldn't just sit around and wait while our allies, who are calling for support, did all the dirty work for us. This, to me, is a strong point in favour of backing bombing, especially after the Paris attacks and the continued and very real threat to this country. Again, Mr Cameron told the House that our security services had thwarted no less than SEVEN attacks here in the UK, an alarming amount. We do owe a huge debt of gratitude to the men and women who work in the shadows, often, I suspect, in very dangerous circumstances. The Opposition are in a dilemma. Mr Corbyn is clearly against bombing, while many others are for it. They feel, like we do, that it is our duty to support our allies and take the fight to the enemy rather than sit on our hands and wait for the next bomber to blow himself up in a crowded place. I cautioned Mr Cameron against saying we would never put boots on the ground. I added that another horror attack such as we've seen in London, New York and Paris might well demand a response, as the twin towers did for the Americans. In addition, bombing on its own never wins wars. At some stage someone is going to have to get stuck in with rifle and bayonet. It's just a question of who and when. A most fascinating couple of hours flew past, after which the Whip dropped to one-line and I headed home to Dorset. Much to think about.