» Friday, October 27, 2006
Faith Schools
Asked if any pressure had been put on Alan Johnson with regard to the change of policy on faith schools the PMS said as Mr. Johnson had set out in his statement, he had the support of two of the main faith organisations and as a result there was no need for further legislation. The PMS said that people should be aware that discussions on integration between communities had been going on with all faith groups for some time and this was not something that had come about over night. Asked whether if this was just a problem with Muslim schools not wanting to integrate the PMS said that was that was an incorrect assertion and that Muslim groups were strongly in favour of the principles.
Briefing took place at 7:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)
Stern Review
Asked how the Prime Minister planned to take forward the Stern Review the PMS said that as the review had not yet been published journalists should wait to see how the Government would respond. Asked if the Government would respond at all the PMS asked journalists to wait for the report.
Briefing took place at 7:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)
Tax on Alcohol
Asked if the Prime Minister backed Patricia Hewitt's calls for an increase in taxation on alcohol and in particular alcopops the PMS first checked that there were no First News journalists in the room. She then went on to say that Patricia Hewitt had raised an important issue but that taxation was a matter for HM Treasury. Asked again if Patricia Hewitt was backed by the Prime Minister the PMS again replied that an important issue had been raised and taxation was a matter for HM Treasury.
Briefing took place at 7:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (2)
» Thursday, October 26, 2006
Cash for Peerages
Asked if the police had spoken to the Prime Minister yet, the Prime Minister's Spokesman replied that nothing had changed since the question was asked at the morning lobby briefing.
Briefing took place at 6:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)
Cabinet
The Prime Minister's Official Spokesman (PMOS) said at this morning's Cabinet Peter Hain updated colleagues on Northern Ireland, primarily because he had not been able to do so last week, not because there was anything new. Tessa Jowell gave an overview of where we were on the Olympics. Professor Nick Stern gave a preview of his report on climate change, which comes out next week. Asked whether there was any discussion of the Queen's Speech, the PMOS said no.
Briefing took place at 6:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)
Forthcoming Business
The Leader said that on Monday, October 30, the debate would be on Lords amendments to the Violent Crime Reduction Bill, followed by a debate on the Security of Energy Supply on a motion for the Adjournment. The business on Tuesday, October 31, would be on a half-day Opposition debate on the "Conduct of Government Policy in relation to the War in Iraq and its Aftermath". This would take place on a motion tabled by the Scottish National and Plaid Cymru parties. It would be followed by a debate on motions relating to the Crossrail Bill, which was a carry-over measure.
Briefing took place at 6:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)
Climate Change
Asked what was the reaction to the Stern Report, the PMOS said it was difficult to talk about the Stern Report without revealing the contents of it. However, the Cabinet recognised this was a very serious piece of work about a very serious subject and very clear thinking about the economic benefits of dealing with climate change now compared to the costs of not dealing with it in the not so distant future.
Briefing took place at 6:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)
September sittings and House motions
Mr Straw said that the motion on September sittings would welcome the introduction of written questions and written ministerial statements in September this year and, in the light of that and other consultations, also would seek to rescind the decision, made in 2002, to have September sittings. There would be a free vote on the issue.
Briefing took place at 6:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)
Northern Ireland
Asked where the Government was on Northern Ireland, the PMOS said it was a matter for the parties to decide if and when they met. The deadline remained essentially the 10th November for parties to indicate whether they were in line with the St Andrews agreement; and then take the necessary steps forward. It was important that parties indicated their overall agreement with the St Andrews agreement by the 10th November.
Briefing took place at 6:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)
MPs’ expenses
Asked about the release of the data today and the increase in the total sum, Mr Straw said that, aside from those which related to second homes and travel, all the rest related to the running of constituency offices and the payment of staff salaries. It was a complete misnomer to call them MPs' expenses. He said his personal figures included the cost of staff in a very busy office - and every single penny went on paying for that. From memory, he said that the Senior Salaries Review Body had recommended increases in the staff allowance and the incidental expenses allowance, which he guessed would explain the rise. The car allowance had gone down. While he could see what the headlines tomorrow would state, unless his guesswork was wrong, they would be inaccurate. Mr Straw also pointed out that the figures for severance payments for MPs who had left the House, which were included, were considerable. Asked if he believed that, before publication of the details under FOI, the system had been open to slackness, he said he did not think that was the case. He explained that the "Green Book" set out clearly what MPs could and could not claim. The Leader said that the current system meant that MPs had to account for spending; it was also scrutinised and subject to audit.
Briefing took place at 6:00 | 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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