» Tuesday, July 13, 2004

Butler Report

Asked if the Prime Minister had received a final copy of the Butler Report, the Prime Minister's Official Spokesman (PMOS) confirmed that he had received it at lunchtime today. Asked if he had read it yet, the PMOS pointed out that he had been a bit busy today with the UK-Italian Summit. Asked how many Ministers had received an advance copy, the PMOS declined to get drawn into a discussion about processological issues. Asked how many pages made up the Report, the PMOS said that it was up to the Inquiry team to say. Questioned as to whether the Prime Minister had met Lord Butler today, the PMOS said no.

Briefing took place at 15:45 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)

Iraq

Asked why the Prime Minister had spoken today about Britain helping Iraq to move towards 'the possibility' of a stable future when he had sounded much more positive about Iraq achieving this goal in recent weeks, the PMOS said that he would disagree with the premise of the question. The Prime Minister had been talking about Iraq's progress and movement towards democracy - pointing out, however, that it was a process which could not be taken for granted because of those who were deliberately out to wreck to it. Consequently, he believed that it was important for us to show solidarity with the interim Government in Iraq. All Iraqi Ministers, from the Prime Minister down, had spoken - both in public and in private - about their absolute commitment to achieving democracy for the first time in Iraq. That was not only the basis of our policy but, more importantly, their desire as Iraqi citizens.

Briefing took place at 15:45 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)

Honours

Asked for a reaction to this morning's Public Administration Select Committee report on the Honours system, the PMOS said that as he had told journalists this morning, we would respond to it in due course, in the normal way.

Briefing took place at 15:45 | Read whole briefing | Comments (3)

Butler Report

Asked again about handling arrangements for the Butler Report tomorrow, the Prime Minister's Official Spokesman (PMOS) said Lord Butler had indicated that he would begin his press conference at around 12.30pm. With the permission of the Speaker, we were anticipating that the Prime Minister would make his Statement at about 1.30pm, depending on Business in the House. Asked if the Prime Minister had received a copy of the Report yet, the PMOS said that he hadn't received a final copy of the Report at this stage. He would do so at some point today. It was up to the Inquiry team to decide when that might be. Asked when the Opposition Leaders would be able to see the Report, the PMOS said that they would be given access to it from 6am tomorrow. Questioned as to whether PMQs would be postponed, the PMOS said no. It would take place as usual at midday tomorrow. Asked if the Prime Minister or his office had had any contact with Lord Butler in recent days, the PMOS said he had absolutely no intention of providing a running commentary on the minutiae of this issue. The Report would be published tomorrow.

Briefing took place at 11:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)

Derek Scott

Asked for a reaction to Derek Scott's comment on the Today Programme this morning that he wouldn't bet his house on there being no tax rises in the next Parliament, the PMOS replied that the Chancellor had said all there was to say about the issue this morning. The CSR highlighted the Government's commitment to stability and sustainable investment in our public services - the key word here being 'sustainable'.

Briefing took place at 11:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)

Honours

Asked when the Phillips Report on the Honours system would be published, the PMOS said that it would be published shortly. Asked for a reaction to today's report on the Honours system from the Public Administration Select Committee, the PMOS said that we would study the findings of the report and respond in due course, in the usual way.

Briefing took place at 11:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)

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