Downing Street Says » 2004

» Wednesday, November 17, 2004

Gulf War Syndrome

Asked if the release of a report about Gulf War Syndrome proved that it really did exist, the PMOS replied that it was a matter for the MOD to comment on.

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

Hunting

Asked if the Prime Minister accepted that the Hunting Bill compromise was over, the PMOS said it depended entirely on what the House of Lords decided to do later on, and that some patience was again needed. He reiterated that it was a free vote, and a matter for parliament.

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

Foreign Secretary

Asked about if the Foreign Secretary's comments about the Iraqi casualties were "important or interesting" the PMOS replied that anything the Foreign Secretary said was important, but he was not sure if the journalist would regard the comments as breaking new ground, however.

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

» Tuesday, November 16, 2004

Chirac/Merger Proposal

Asked if the Prime Minister had written to President Chirac about the proposed merger between EADS and Thales, the Prime Minister's Official Spokesman (PMOS) replied that he had not.

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

Asylum

Asked if the Prime Minister was still committed to the pledge he gave 3 months ago, which was that by the end of next year, the number of removals of asylum seekers should exceed the number of unplanned applications, and also whether the Prime Minister was frustrated about a case mentioned the "The Guardian" which detailed the return of Egyptian terrorists to Egypt, the PMOS replied that the answer to the first question was yes, he was still committed and the answer to the second was we have cooperated with the court, but it would be wrong to comment on communications the Prime Minister had with his colleagues.

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

Gambling

Asked if the Prime Minister was now comfortable with the limit to the number of casinos that could now be set up, considering the unease within the party about it, the PMOS said that the Government had listened to people's concerns, as we had said we would at the beginning, and as a result, the Bill had been adapted accordingly, which was a sensible Parliamentary process. This was an initial phase that would allow the Gambling Commission to decide how to act.

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

Band Aid

Asked if the Prime Minister was going to buy the Band Aid single, the PMOS replied that he was going to let it come out, and then make an individual's decision. He fully supported the efforts of all those behind it.

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

Condoleezza Rice

Asked if the Prime Minister had had any contact with Condoleezza Rice, the PMOS said that as he had said in the Morning Lobby meeting, she was someone that we had worked with very closely, and for whom he had immense regard for her abilities.

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

Hunting

Asked if the Parliament Act would be used with regard to the Hunting Bill going through the House, the PMOS replied that it was a free vote, and the Parliamentary process would go as it was meant to. The Prime Minister would vote for a compromise amendment, because he believed that it was genuinely in the interests of the country as a whole. He recognised that whilst there were very strong feelings in both Houses, both pro and anti hunting, he did not share those strong emotional views, as he thought it was more important to make a compromise in the best interests of the country. Equally the Prime Minister recognised that it was a free vote, which would determine what would happen.

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

Smoking

Asked if the Prime Minister was worried over accusations that he had "gone the other way" over the smoking proposals, the PMOS said that the accusations seemed to say that either not enough, or too much had been done to tackle smoking. The Prime Minister thought the public health White Paper had struck a balance, between on the one hand not telling people how to lead healthier lives, and on the other, give people a choice and protect them from harm. He reiterated that it was a balance between conflicting rights, and the Prime Minister believed that John Reid had stuck the correct balance.

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

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» Wednesday, November 17, 2004

Gulf War Syndrome

Hunting

Foreign Secretary

» Tuesday, November 16, 2004

Chirac/Merger Proposal

Asylum

Gambling

Band Aid

Condoleezza Rice

Hunting

Smoking

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