Downing Street Says » 2004

» Wednesday, October 20, 2004

Iraq

In answer to questions about the kidnap of Margaret Hassan in Iraq, the Prime Minister's Official Spokesman (PMOS) said that we would not be giving a running commentary on what was going on behind the scenes to secure her release other than to say that there was a lot of activity taking place in Baghdad, as you would expect.

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

» Tuesday, October 19, 2004

Iraq

Asked again if Parliament would be given an opportunity to vote on a decision to deploy British troops to the Sunni triangle, the Prime Minister's Official Spokesman (PMOS) said that it was common practice to inform Parliament about operational matters. This was something which Parliament was well used to. As the Prime Minister had said today, it was important to allow the military to make its own assessment of the situation on the ground. Constantly debating operational decisions in public would only help the terrorists who were obviously studying our every move. In answer to further questions, the PMOS said that it was important to follow the proper procedures. A recce was taking place in Iraq this week. This would be followed by an examination of its conclusions in consultation with the view of the military commanders on the ground. Only after that would the MoD make its own assessment.

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

Gambling

Asked about the Gambling Bill which had been published today, the PMOS said that the Bill would shut down gambling machines in some six thousand premises such as taxi ranks and shops. Restrictions would also be placed on internet and other forms of gambling. The Bill would create a situation whereby local councils could decide whether to expand the number of casinos. Even then, we did not envisage a huge increase. One hundred and thirty casinos existed at the moment. We estimated that there would only be twenty to forty more once the Bill had been passed. Asked if the Prime Minister was concerned about the deleterious effects that the Gambling Bill might have on people and certain areas of the country, the PMOS said the question was based on the premise that the Bill would result in a massive expansion in gambling. On the contrary. It would control gambling by making it more regulated. In our view, that was a responsible way forward. Asked if the Prime Minister was pleased with the delight with which large Las Vegas gambling organisations had greeted the proposals, the PMOS said that the Prime Minister had no intention of acting as a commentator on the views of others. He believed that gambling was part of the fabric of British society which people had accepted for some time. In his view, it should continue to take place, but in a regulated and licensed way. Asked if that meant the Prime Minister was unconcerned that the Bill might bring about a net expansion in the number of problem gamblers in the UK, the PMOS pointed out that similar predictions had been made when the National Lottery was first introduced - predictions which had clearly not been borne out.

Briefing took place at 15:45 | Read whole briefing | Comments (2)

Iraq

In answer to questions about British troop deployments in Iraq, the Prime Minister's Official Spokesman (PMOS) underlined the point that the request had come through the military net. It went without saying that it would have to be thoroughly investigated - hence the recce in Iraq today. Its purpose was to examine in detail the request that had been put forward and consider any implications which might stem from it. The conclusions of the recce team would then be considered and would determine our response. In the meantime, it was important for people to recognise that no decision had been taken at this point. That was why it would not be helpful to get drawn into a speculative discussion about what the outcome might be, when it might be discussed further and by whom. Put to him that the recce couldn't be all that detailed if it was aiming to report back by the end of the week, the PMOS cautioned journalists against pre-judging the outcome of the expedition. We would wait and see what the recce team's conclusions were and consider them carefully. Questioned further, the PMOS pointed out that the request had come though the military net and was therefore not something which had been sprung on the military as of twenty-four hours ago. We would await the outcome of the recce and then consider where we went from here. Asked to clarify how the request had been made and what the input of the US had been, the PMOS said that the usual discussions between the Coalition partners would have taken place, as would be expected. The Multi-National Force had also been working with the Iraqi Interim Government through the National Security Council in Baghdad on which we were represented at deputy level. Thus the normal procedures would have been followed.

Briefing took place at 11:00 | Read whole briefing | Comment (1)

» Monday, October 18, 2004

PM’s CBI Speech

The Prime Minister's Official Spokesman (PMOS) advised journalists that the Prime Minister would be addressing the CBI at an event in Birmingham this evening. The speech would dovetail in with today's Tomlinson report. The Prime Minister would underline the importance of manufacturing to this country, pointing out that British industry produced a third more today than it did twenty years ago and that productivity had gone up by a quarter compared with seven years ago. He would say that what our success stories had in common was that they were about the appliance of science and technology with highly skilled people. That was why it was necessary to have an exam qualifications system which equipped all our young people with the basic and more advanced skills they needed. He would say, "The purpose of reform will be to improve upon the existing system, not replace it. As Mike Tomlinson and Charles Clarke say, GCSEs and A-levels will stay. So will externally marked exams. Reform will strengthen the existing system where it isn't adequate. There will be greater challenge at the top for those on track for higher education. There will be a sharper focus on the basics of literacy, numeracy and ICT. And there will also be improved vocational provision". The Prime Minister would say that present system on vocational training was ad hoc with insufficient emphasis on English and maths, which was why he welcomed Tomlinson's focus on providing clear vocational pathways.

Briefing took place at 15:45 | Read whole briefing | Comment (1)

Iraq

Asked if the Cabinet would consider any decision to send British troops to the Sunni triangle when it met on Thursday, the PMOS said that it would depend on whether there was a definite proposal and what that proposal might be. The Defence Secretary had said this afternoon that a decision would be made on an operational basis within the MoD from the ground up.

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

Opium/Afghanistan

Asked if the Prime Minister was disappointed that opium production in Afghanistan was soaring, the PMOS said that the cultivation of narcotics in Afghanistan was obviously of major concern to us and it was an area in which we wished to co-operate with the new Afghan President. Apart from this problem and sporadic violence, it wasn't all bad news in Afghanistan. The recent elections in which millions had participated, for example, had been very successful - although of course that was not to under-estimate the difficulties that remained.

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

PM Speech/Tomlinson Report

Asked about the Prime Minister's speech to the CBI this evening, the Prime Minister's Official Spokesman (PMOS) said that it would be about addressing the concerns of the CBI and others in terms of the importance of numeracy and literacy and improving basic skills. We also recognised the need to address the issue of vocational training and look at ways to differentiate between the bright and excellent pupils. That was why the Government welcomed the Tomlinson report today. We would obviously consider the report's findings and publish a White Paper in due course.

Briefing took place at 11:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (2)

Iraq

Asked if he would agree with the suggestion that putting British troops into an area which was under US military control would cross some sort of line in terms of the UK's authority over the context in which British troops were used, the PMOS cautioned journalists against jumping too far ahead at this point. He said that it was important to understand the context of the request and the decision-making chain. This was a proposal which had been put forward on an operational level rather than a political level. Consequently, a decision would be made on an operational basis within the MoD from the ground up. The Prime Minister and the relevant Ministers would await any firm proposals before making any decision. The PMOS also took the opportunity to point out that the UK already worked together with the US and others within the Multi-National Force in different areas in Iraq. This was in addition to working with the Iraq National Security Council which, itself, interfaced with the Multi-National Force. The idea of working with others was therefore not new and should not come as a surprise to anyone. Put to him that the very act of moving British troops from Basra to the Sunni triangle could be considered a fundamental crossing of the line in terms of increasing our military involvement in Iraq and therefore putting the lives of British troops in danger, the PMOS said that he would disagree. Any proposals would be based on an assessment on the ground of what was necessary - and possible - operationally. He underlined the fact, however, that no decision had been made at this stage. He also emphasised that, contrary to the suggestions put forward by some, this issue did not have anything to do with the forthcoming Presidential elections in the US. It was the job of the Multi-National Force to help restore stability in Iraq, deal with the insurgency and terrorism there, help the process of Iraqi-isation which aimed to build up the capability of the Iraqi forces themselves and so help to prepare both for the Iraqi elections and the day when a democratic Government would be able to take responsibility for itself. Consequently, if this was about any elections, it was about preparing for those taking place in Iraq, not the US.

Briefing took place at 11:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (3)

Middle East

Asked the Prime Minister's reaction to suggestions by the Palestinians that Russia might be a more appropriate broker for peace in the Middle East than the UK or US, the PMOS said that he hadn't seen the proposals and was therefore not in a position to comment in detail on them. That said, the parameters of the Prime Minister's approach to the Middle East were very well known. In his view, it was important to address both sides of the coin - both in terms of Israeli security concerns as well as the desire of the Palestinians to have their own legitimate aspirations met. That was why it was important to have an approach which was acceptable to both sides. As the Prime Minister had made clear, he regarded this issue as a high international priority and would continue to do all he could to help make progress.

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

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» Wednesday, October 20, 2004

Iraq

» Tuesday, October 19, 2004

Iraq

Gambling

Iraq

» Monday, October 18, 2004

PM’s CBI Speech

Iraq

Opium/Afghanistan

PM Speech/Tomlinson Report

Iraq

Middle East

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