Downing Street Says

Asked whether the Business Secretary had the whole-hearted support of the Prime Minister when making his decision on Sky, the PMS replied that the Prime Minister had already said on the record that this was a matter for the Business Secretary. He had made his decision and it was now a matter for Ofcom.

On whether the Prime Minister and the Business Secretary had discussed the matter before now and in what forum the matter was discussed in, the PMS said she was not aware of the details of any discussions, but the Prime Minister was well aware of the decision that had been made. Asked if the Prime Minister and Business Secretary discussed the matter on Wednesday afternoon, the PMS replied that she would not be able to confirm that.

Asked if the Prime Minister always stayed out of these decisions or was there a particular reason why he had on this occasion, the PMS said that it was a decision for the Business Secretary.

Asked if Business Secretary had discussed it with the Chancellor, the PMS advised people to speak to the Treasury.

When asked if the Prime Minister had received any representations on this issue, the PMS replied that she was not aware of any.

Put that it had been reported that James Murdoch had had a meeting with the Prime Minister in recent months and why had that meeting not been divulged, the PMS said the Government had published a list of meetings the Prime Minister had had and that included a meeting with Rupert Murdoch. The PMS said she would check on any meeting with James Murdoch.

Asked what the difference was between a private visit’ and an official function’, the PMS said that there would be occasions when the Prime Minister would want to meet guests privately, but she did not have a specific definition for it.

Put that it was up to the Prime Minister which meetings went on the list, the PMS reminded people that the Prime Minister also lived in Downing Street and would want to meet people privately from time to time.

Asked if the Prime Minister had taken any advice from the Cabinet Secretary as to who should appear on the list of meetings, the PMS said she had made the difference between a business meeting and a private meeting very clear.

Asked if it was the case that if the Prime Minister was to see someone in the offices of Downing Street it was classed as an official meeting, whereas if he was to meet someone in the flat, it would be classed as a private meeting, the PMS replied that the Prime Minister had official business throughout the day, but occasionally he would want to meet private guests.

Put that the type of meeting was either characterised by what was discussed or where it took place, the PMS said that we were committed to setting out those meetings the Prime Minister had on an official basis.

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» Thursday, November 4, 2010

Sky

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