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» Tuesday, June 15, 2004

Prime Minister’s press conference

[This is the transcript of one of the Prime Minister's occasional press conferences; these are the words of the Prime Minister giving a statement and answering the questions of journalists. Unlike the PMOS's briefings, this is a more-or-less verbatim transcript of the Prime Minister's words. Such press conferences happen about once a month, and occasionally more often.]

Briefing took place at 18:30 | Read whole briefing | Comments (3)

PM Press Conference

Asked if the Prime Minister had had cause to see a doctor recently, the Prime Minister's Official Spokesman (PMOS) said no. If he was being asked about the Guardian correspondent's question to the Prime Minister during the press conference, he would merely point out that the Prime Minister had simply been giving a considered reply to what had been a considered question by a respected journalist in which he had paused before responding. He was aware that some parts of the media were reading more into it, but there was really nothing more to it than that. Asked if he was saying that the Prime Minister was in perfect health, the PMOS said yes.

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

Chancellor

Asked if the Prime Minister had spoken to the Chancellor today, sent him a card or present or bought him a drink to congratulate him on taking over from David Lloyd-George as Britain's longest serving Chancellor, the PMOS said he didn't know. In any event, the Prime Minister congratulated the Chancellor every day for his excellent management of the economy. Asked if they had spoken today to discuss the Chancellor's Mansion House speech tomorrow or the forthcoming European Council meeting, the PMOS said that they were in regular contact, as you would expect. Today was no exception to the norm. Asked if the Prime Minister would like the Chancellor to serve another seven years in his post, the PMOS congratulated the journalist on the predictability of his question - but on little else.

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

Five-Year Plans

Asked when the first of the five-year Departmental plans would be published, the PMOS said that as the Prime Minister had mentioned in his press conference this morning, the Department of Health's five-year plan would be published next week. We would announce when other Departments would be publishing their plans in due course. Asked when the Chancellor would unveil the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR), the PMOS said that a precise date had not yet been set.

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

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» Tuesday, June 15, 2004

Prime Minister’s press conference

PM Press Conference

Chancellor

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