» Wednesday, November 17, 2004
Chirac Visit
Asked what the agenda would be for President Chirac's visit tomorrow, the Prime Minister's Official Spokesman (PMOS) said that it would be about whatever they wished to discuss. He said that it would probably include issues such as Europe, the G8 Presidency, (Africa, climate change and other G8 topics), the Middle East, and also Iraq. He had no doubt it would range far and wide. The PMOS repeated that there would be difference of view over Iraq, but as he said this morning, that should not be a surprise to people.
Briefing took place at 15:45 | Read whole briefing | Comment (1)
Inland Revenue/Child Support Agency (CSA)
Asked about the Prime Minister's views about a suggested Inland Revenue takeover of CSA jobs as a result of computer problems, the PMOS replied that this was not a new suggestion, but the view was that transferring such work over to the Inland Revenue would not solve the current problem. The priority had to be that the computer system was completed and stablised. The Inland Revune already had a big job to do, and if they had another one million cases from CSA to take on, it would take an enormous amount of preparation involving more time and expense.
Briefing took place at 15:45 | Read whole briefing | Comments (56)
Resignations
Asked about the 2 "Quango" chiefs who had resigned today and what the government's thoughts about them were, the PMOS replied that they were two completely separate cases, and should be treated as such. He said he thought it was a mistake to conflate the two, and the departments concerned had set out the reasons for each case. He stressed again it was important not to compare the two cases.
Briefing took place at 15:45 | Read whole briefing | Comment (1)
Employment
Asked about today's employment figures, and whether those for the potentially active labour workforce destroyed the argument for economic migration, the PMOS said that it would be better to ask the DWP for a detailed analysis. However, in terms of the basic need for economic migration, that was underlined, not only by the Government, but also by the view of employers. This was reflected in the seasonal needs of the economy, but also by organisations such as the CBI who emphasised the need for economic migrants.
Briefing took place at 15:45 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)
Inquiry
Asked if the Prime Minister was satisfied with the Board of Inquiry into the deaths of the 6 military policemen who were killed in Iraq, the PMOS replied that the Prime Minister was satisfied that the Board had taken the necessary time and had been rigorous in examining the cases.
Briefing took place at 15:45 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)
Northern Ireland
Asked about any further briefing on the Northern Ireland talks, they PMOS replied that what was important was that people took the time to reflect in private on where things were going, and as he said earlier, that people needed to be patient a bit longer. We accepted that people had a right to know what was happening, but patience was of the essence.
Briefing took place at 15:45 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)
President Chirac’s visit/French Relations
Asked if there was any more information on President Chirac's visit, the Prime Minister's Official Spokesman (PMOS) said that there was no further information at the moment.
Briefing took place at 11:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)
Northern Ireland
Asked if the Prime Minister was meeting with the Dr. Ian Paisley later today, the PMOS replied that the intense discussions between us and the Northern Ireland parties were still going on. The PMOS repeated that time was getting short, and asked that people were patient. He warned against speculating about particular aspects of taking things forward, without having a firm agreement, because as always with Northern Ireland talks, there were concerns on all sides, and any package that emerged had to address all those concerns.
Briefing took place at 11:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)
Gulf War Syndrome
Asked if the release of a report about Gulf War Syndrome proved that it really did exist, the PMOS replied that it was a matter for the MOD to comment on.
Briefing took place at 11:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)
Hunting
Asked if the Prime Minister accepted that the Hunting Bill compromise was over, the PMOS said it depended entirely on what the House of Lords decided to do later on, and that some patience was again needed. He reiterated that it was a free vote, and a matter for parliament.
Briefing took place at 11:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)
Original PMOS briefings are © Crown Copyright. Crown Copyright material is reproduced with the permission of the Controller of HMSO and the Queen's Printer for Scotland. Click-use licence number C02W0004089. Material is reproduced from the original 10 Downing Street source, but may not be the most up-to-date version of the briefings, which might be revised at the original source. Users should check with the original source in case of revisions. Comments are © Copyright contributors. Everything else is © Copyright Downing Street Says.
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