Downing Street Says ... Every day the Prime Minister’s Spokesman meets a small coterie of political journalists known as ‘the lobby’ for a topical chat, or ‘briefing’.

Every day the Prime Minister's Spokesman meets a small coterie of political journalists known as 'the lobby' for a topical chat, or 'briefing'.

Downing Street Says... is an unofficial site that lets you read summaries of these briefings and add your own comments. Want to know more?

» Thursday, June 23, 2011

DPM – Bank shares

Asked whether the PM backed the DPM’s proposals given the Government was unable to fund many public services, the PMS said that as the Treasury had made clear we would look at all options on the table. He added that when the PM was asked about the issue in the House last month he made […]

Afghanistan

Asked repeatedly to explain the different withdrawal dates given by the PM in his statement and by the CDS, the PMS said they were consistent statements and that there would be no UK combat troops in Afghanistan in 2015. Asked what evidence the PM had when he said in his statement, that the surge had […]

Dublin Regulation

Asked if the PM was worried about attempts by the European Commission to suspend the Dublin Regulation, the PMS said we had made our position very clear and we would continue to make that case very strongly at European Council. original source.

Self Defence

Asked how the PM would keep his commitment to allow homeowners and shopkeepers to defend their property without fear of prosecution, the PMS said the Ministry of Justice would come forward with plans in the autumn but it might involve changes to the law or guidance to courts. original source.

Coastguard Services

Asked if Government would change its mind on reforming coastguard services, the PMS said we would set out our proposals later in the summer. original source.

Circus animals

Asked about the legal impediments to banning circus animals, the PMS said we would continue to look at these legal impediments but in the meantime, we thought the best approach would be to introduce a tough licensing regime. He further added there would be a debate in the House later that day on the issue. […]

Libya costs

Asked about the Chancellor’s previous statement on costs and how it related to today’s figure, the PMS said that the figures published were estimates based on the most up to date costs, which was why figures quoted by the Chancellor a few weeks back were different from those set out today. Asked if it would […]

» Wednesday, June 22, 2011

SDSR

Asked to explain the PM’s comment in the chamber, that the National Security Council (NSC) reviewed the Defence Review, the Prime Minister’s Spokesman (PMS) said that the process of implementing the Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) was ongoing and discussed by the National Security Council regularly. He added that the SDSR set out a […]

Libya

Asked for the PM’s position on the Italian Foreign Minister calling for a ceasefire in Libya to allow for aid, the PMS said that humanitarian aid was already getting into Libya, and pointed out that Qadhafi had called several ceasefires that did not take place. Asked if the PM would support any pause in the […]

DNA

Asked if the PM would look into the proposals around the DNA database and rape cases, the PMS explained the policy that if someone was arrested for a criminal offence but not convicted, their DNA would not be held. The PMS also pointed out that the legislation was still being considered, and as a point […]

Alcohol

Asked about the advice that over-65s shouldn’t drink more than half a point a day, the PMS referred them to the Department of Health statement. original source.

FCO funding of BBC World Service

Asked if the Government had referred to the funding decision as a massive u-turn’, as posted on the FCO website, the PMS (Prime Minister’s Spokesman) referred people to the Written Ministerial Statement. original source.

Libya

Asked for a response to the Italian Foreign Minister’s comments that Libyan hostilities should cease, including NATO bombings, the PMS referred to the statement published following Monday’s Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels, which included Italy, which said that the EU was unwavering in its commitment to protecting Libyan civilians, including through the intensification of pressure […]

Strikes

Asked for a reaction to the outcome of the Unison strike ballot at their annual conference this week and Lord Tebbit’s response, the PMS said we wanted to avoid strikes as we believed they were not the right for the economy and we would continue having constructive discussions with the unions about the changes we […]

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» Thursday, June 23, 2011

DPM – Bank shares

Afghanistan

Dublin Regulation

Self Defence

Coastguard Services

Circus animals

Libya costs

» Wednesday, June 22, 2011

SDSR

Libya

DNA

Alcohol

FCO funding of BBC World Service

Libya

Strikes

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