» Tuesday, March 15, 2005

Budget

Asked if the Prime Minister had held talks today with the Chancellor about the Budget, the Prime Minister's Official Spokesman (PMOS) said that as he had said yesterday, all the usual preliminary meetings had been taking place, and there was nothing out of the ordinary.

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

Robert McCartney murder

Asked what the Government's view was on Martin McGuiness' words about the McCartney family, and also how they were being treated by the Americans during their trip, the PMOS said the important thing all the way through this was how the family had chosen their own words to express themselves, and that they had remained an independent voice. It was important therefore, that we respected that, and to let their voice be heard, because what they were asking for was what any family was entitled to ask for, which was justice. We should listen to the McCartney family, as they had been very resilient and very strong in ensuring that their voice was heard, and that they were seen to speak for themselves.

Briefing took place at 15:45 | Read whole briefing | Comment (1)

Abortion

Asked if the Prime Minister felt there was no need to either change the law or to debate the current 24-week time limit on abortion, the PMOS reiterated the position he set out this morning. On 7th July 2004, the Prime Minister was asked a question during PMQs, and he said then that abortion had always been a matter for the individual conscience, and for a free vote in the House. The Prime Minister recognised that there would be a debate, including the issue mentioned, but he believed that debate should be carried out in a calm, rational and non-partisan way. This was why the Prime Minister believed it would be a pity if this matter did become a party political or general election issue. The Prime Minster felt that this country in the past had debated the matter in a mature and rational manner, and if people wanted a debate, then it would of course happen. It should not, however, happen in a party political or partisan way.

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

Abortion

Asked what the Prime Minister's view on abortion issues was, the Prime Minister's Official Spokesman (PMOS) said that the Prime Minister had said in the House last July and repeated in his interview with Cosmopolitan magazine seven weeks ago that this was a matter for a free vote and individual conscience on both sides of the House. He believed that it should be debated in a calm, rational and non-partisan way. Therefore he felt it would be a pity if this became a party political issue or indeed a General election issue. Asked if it might return to the agenda after the election, the PMOS said it was a matter for individual MPs rather than for Government. As the Prime Minister had said in the Cosmopolitan article, there were no plans to change the time limit at this stage. The Prime Minister recognised however that people would debate the issue. He believed that debate should be calm, rational and non-partisan and it would be a pity if it became a party-political or General Election issue.

Briefing took place at 11:00 | Read whole briefing | Comment (1)

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