» Monday, October 18, 2004
PM’s CBI Speech
The Prime Minister's Official Spokesman (PMOS) advised journalists that the Prime Minister would be addressing the CBI at an event in Birmingham this evening. The speech would dovetail in with today's Tomlinson report. The Prime Minister would underline the importance of manufacturing to this country, pointing out that British industry produced a third more today than it did twenty years ago and that productivity had gone up by a quarter compared with seven years ago. He would say that what our success stories had in common was that they were about the appliance of science and technology with highly skilled people. That was why it was necessary to have an exam qualifications system which equipped all our young people with the basic and more advanced skills they needed. He would say, "The purpose of reform will be to improve upon the existing system, not replace it. As Mike Tomlinson and Charles Clarke say, GCSEs and A-levels will stay. So will externally marked exams. Reform will strengthen the existing system where it isn't adequate. There will be greater challenge at the top for those on track for higher education. There will be a sharper focus on the basics of literacy, numeracy and ICT. And there will also be improved vocational provision". The Prime Minister would say that present system on vocational training was ad hoc with insufficient emphasis on English and maths, which was why he welcomed Tomlinson's focus on providing clear vocational pathways.
Briefing took place at 15:45 | Read whole briefing | Comment (1)
Iraq
Asked if the Cabinet would consider any decision to send British troops to the Sunni triangle when it met on Thursday, the PMOS said that it would depend on whether there was a definite proposal and what that proposal might be. The Defence Secretary had said this afternoon that a decision would be made on an operational basis within the MoD from the ground up.
Briefing took place at 15:45 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)
Opium/Afghanistan
Asked if the Prime Minister was disappointed that opium production in Afghanistan was soaring, the PMOS said that the cultivation of narcotics in Afghanistan was obviously of major concern to us and it was an area in which we wished to co-operate with the new Afghan President. Apart from this problem and sporadic violence, it wasn't all bad news in Afghanistan. The recent elections in which millions had participated, for example, had been very successful - although of course that was not to under-estimate the difficulties that remained.
Briefing took place at 15:45 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)
PM Speech/Tomlinson Report
Asked about the Prime Minister's speech to the CBI this evening, the Prime Minister's Official Spokesman (PMOS) said that it would be about addressing the concerns of the CBI and others in terms of the importance of numeracy and literacy and improving basic skills. We also recognised the need to address the issue of vocational training and look at ways to differentiate between the bright and excellent pupils. That was why the Government welcomed the Tomlinson report today. We would obviously consider the report's findings and publish a White Paper in due course.
Briefing took place at 11:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (2)
Iraq
Asked if he would agree with the suggestion that putting British troops into an area which was under US military control would cross some sort of line in terms of the UK's authority over the context in which British troops were used, the PMOS cautioned journalists against jumping too far ahead at this point. He said that it was important to understand the context of the request and the decision-making chain. This was a proposal which had been put forward on an operational level rather than a political level. Consequently, a decision would be made on an operational basis within the MoD from the ground up. The Prime Minister and the relevant Ministers would await any firm proposals before making any decision. The PMOS also took the opportunity to point out that the UK already worked together with the US and others within the Multi-National Force in different areas in Iraq. This was in addition to working with the Iraq National Security Council which, itself, interfaced with the Multi-National Force. The idea of working with others was therefore not new and should not come as a surprise to anyone. Put to him that the very act of moving British troops from Basra to the Sunni triangle could be considered a fundamental crossing of the line in terms of increasing our military involvement in Iraq and therefore putting the lives of British troops in danger, the PMOS said that he would disagree. Any proposals would be based on an assessment on the ground of what was necessary - and possible - operationally. He underlined the fact, however, that no decision had been made at this stage. He also emphasised that, contrary to the suggestions put forward by some, this issue did not have anything to do with the forthcoming Presidential elections in the US. It was the job of the Multi-National Force to help restore stability in Iraq, deal with the insurgency and terrorism there, help the process of Iraqi-isation which aimed to build up the capability of the Iraqi forces themselves and so help to prepare both for the Iraqi elections and the day when a democratic Government would be able to take responsibility for itself. Consequently, if this was about any elections, it was about preparing for those taking place in Iraq, not the US.
Briefing took place at 11:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (3)
Middle East
Asked the Prime Minister's reaction to suggestions by the Palestinians that Russia might be a more appropriate broker for peace in the Middle East than the UK or US, the PMOS said that he hadn't seen the proposals and was therefore not in a position to comment in detail on them. That said, the parameters of the Prime Minister's approach to the Middle East were very well known. In his view, it was important to address both sides of the coin - both in terms of Israeli security concerns as well as the desire of the Palestinians to have their own legitimate aspirations met. That was why it was important to have an approach which was acceptable to both sides. As the Prime Minister had made clear, he regarded this issue as a high international priority and would continue to do all he could to help make progress.
Briefing took place at 11:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)
Missile Defence
Asked for a reaction to reports suggesting that the Government had struck a secret deal with the US to install a missile system in the UK, the PMOS said that the reports were rubbish.
Briefing took place at 11:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (2)
MPs’ Expenses
Asked if the Prime Minister's expenses would be published in full on Thursday together with the expenses of MPs, the PMOS pointed out that the Prime Minister was also an MP, so the answer was obviously yes.
Briefing took place at 11:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (8)
Darfur
Asked if it was not time for the UK to decide whether what had happened in Darfur could be considered genocide, the PMOS said that it was for an independent UN inquiry commission to make that decision. We had pledged to support them in whatever we could. The Prime Minister had set out his position regarding the situation in Darfur very clearly during his recent visit to Khartoum. The Sudanese Government was therefore well aware of our views.
Briefing took place at 11:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)
Darfur
Asked if it was not time for the UK to decide whether what had happened in Darfur could be considered genocide, the PMOS said that it was for an independent UN inquiry commission to make that decision. We had pledged to support them in whatever we could. The Prime Minister had set out his position regarding the situation in Darfur very clearly during his recent visit to Khartoum. The Sudanese Government was therefore well aware of our views.
Briefing took place at 11:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)
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