» Thursday, December 14, 2006

Freedom of Information

He was asked if it would have been better for Lord Falconer to have organised a consultation about how the Act was working rather than to publish a draft proposal to extend the £600 limit for dealing with requests for consultation. Mr Straw said he had listened to a news item about the BBC on the issue earlier today with a wry smile. He said the BBC was a public authority and it had been rather less forthcoming on requests to it than Government departments had been on requests to them under FOI.

Briefing took place at 15:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)

Cabinet

Asked what happened at Cabinet today, the PMOS said there was a presentation from Hilary Benn on Africa, including an overview on our approach to the Continent. There was also a preview of Alistair Darling's statement on Post Offices for Cabinet colleagues. Asked why Cabinet had not gone on longer as planned, the PMOS said there had been no plan for an extended Cabinet. Asked if there had been any discussions on party funding, the PMOS said that there had been a brief discussion. Asked if the Prime Minister had set out his views on party funding the PMOS said no he had not. The gist of the brief discussion was that Hayden Philips would come up with his proposals and that the Government would respond in due course. Asked who would respond to the interim proposals the PMOS confirmed that that would be a party matter.

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

Cabinet

Asked what happened at Cabinet today, the PMOS said there was a presentation from Hilary Benn on Africa, including an overview on our approach to the Continent. There was also a preview of Alistair Darling's statement on Post Offices for Cabinet colleagues. Asked why Cabinet had not gone on longer as planned, the PMOS said there had been no plan for an extended Cabinet. Asked if there had been any discussions on party funding, the PMOS said that there had been a brief discussion. Asked if the Prime Minister had set out his views on party funding the PMOS said no he had not. The gist of the brief discussion was that Hayden Philips would come up with his proposals and that the Government would respond in due course. Asked who would respond to the interim proposals the PMOS confirmed that that would be a party matter.

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

Police Inquiry

Nothing new to report.

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

Suffolk Murders

Asked if there had been any contact with the Suffolk Constabulary, the PMOS said the Chief Constable had assured the Home Secretary that they do have the necessary resources with assistance from various forces to deal with the investigation, and we will remain in contact with them to make sure they are getting whatever they need. It is about making sure they have the right capacity as well as capability. As the Prime Minister set out in the Commons yesterday, we fully understand both the massive effect this is having on the local community but also that for any force this would be a major challenge.

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

Lord Stevens

Asked if the Prime Minister had been briefed on the contents of the report into the death of Princess Diana, the PMOS said it was entirely a matter for Lord Stevens and we had nothing to add. Asked if the Prime Minister would be making any statement regarding the report into the death of Princess Diana, the PMOS said no it was a matter for Lord Stevens.

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

Armed Forces Allowances

Asked to comment on Des Brownes statement on services allowances, the PMOS referred the reporter to the Prime Minister's lengthy answer at PMQs yesterday. Asked if the Prime Minister had seen no reason to apologise but Des Browne had, was that not a contradiction, the PMOS it was purely interpretation and he would not get into a running commentary on the issue.

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

EU Enlargement

Asked about the suggestion that enlargement and the constitution could be linked, the PMOS said that discussions about the constitution would not take place before the German presidency of the EU, no decisions will be taken before then. On the enlargement issue we believe that while enlargement candidates have to meet the criteria, but no new criteria are needed. Put to the PMOS that the Deputy Prime Minister yesterday had suggested that any plan to revise or draw from talks a constitution would be put to a referendum, the PMOS said he would not get involved in a hypothetical discussion about a subject which is not down for discussion until the German presidency.

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

» Wednesday, December 13, 2006

Lord Warner

The Prime Minister's Official Spokesman (PMOS) told journalists that Lord Warner, the Health Minister, had informed the Prime Minister of his intentions to retire a few weeks ago and he will retire at the end of this year. This was simple a case of Lord Warner, who is 66, wanting to spend more time with his family rather than red boxes. The Prime Minister has thanked Lord Warner for his work and dedication to the NHS. He said,

Briefing took place at 15:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)

Police Inquiry

No.

Briefing took place at 15:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)

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