Downing Street Says » 2006 » February

» Monday, February 20, 2006

David Mills

Asked if the Prime Minister and Silvio Berlusconi had discussed David Mills, the Prime Minister's Official Spokesman (PMOS) said that he was not aware of any discussions.

Briefing took place at 9:00 | Read whole briefing | Comment (1)

Council Tax

Asked if the PMOS recognised the front page stories today about council tax, the PMOS said people would not know the position on council tax until the end of next month, and that was the usual pattern of these things. It was part of the annual ritual that we had stories like this before we knew the final figures. What we had said was that our expectation was that the increase in most council tax bills should be below 5%, and if necessary, we were prepared to use our capping powers.

Briefing took place at 9:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (8)

Bird Flu

Asked if people should be worried about bird flu, the PMOS replied that it was common sense that as the incidences of bird flu on the Continent moved closer to the UK, so the level of concern increased. We recognised that, and that was why DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) had issued new guidance to poultry farmers that they should prepare plans to bring their flocks inside.

Briefing took place at 9:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (5)

Leo/Mrs Blair photos

Asked if Downing Street, or the Prime Minister and Mrs. Blair planned on taking any action over the photographs of Mrs. Blair and Leo at the Winter Olympics, the PMOS said he was not aware of any such plans.

Briefing took place at 9:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)

Media and Troops

Asked if the Prime Minister agreed with John Reid that media organisations should exercise restraint when reporting about "what our troops got up to", the PMOS it was important to distinguish between what John Reid was and was not saying. What the Defence Secretary in no way was saying was that we should condone, or that we did condone abuse. Equally, however, what he was saying was that we should keep those cases in perspective, and the fact that there were 5 cases of abuse in Iraq. That was 5 cases too many, but given the number of troops, that was the perspective it should be seen in.

Briefing took place at 9:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)

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» Monday, February 20, 2006

David Mills

Council Tax

Bird Flu

Leo/Mrs Blair photos

Media and Troops

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