Downing Street Says » 2007

» Friday, March 9, 2007

Sir Alan Sugar

Asked if the comments made by Sir Alan Sugar that Lord Levy had been hung out to dry by No.10 and was being fixed up for a prosecution by the police, the PMOS said that anyone who had been at lobby this week or read the lobby note on the Prime Minister's website, would be clear that we had said that the Prime Minister's view of Lord Levy, and Lord Levy's role, has not changed. Back at the Ramalla press conference just before Christmas, the Prime Minister said himself why he valued Lord Levy and valued the role he plays and that had not changed.

Briefing took place at 9:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (2)

Lord Chief Justice

Asked about the comments made by the Lord Chief Justice that convicted killers be released from gaol because otherwise gaol would be full of geriatrics, the PMOS said it was a question for the Lord Chief Justice. The Government recognised that the Lord Chief Justice had this view but we disagreed. We believed that people should be kept in prison as long as they're judged to be a danger to society.

Briefing took place at 9:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (2)

Northern Ireland Elections

The PMOS went on to say that the Prime Minister and the Taoiseach had done a short doorstep this morning on Northern Ireland and the summary was that both leaders had congratulated the parties who had been elected but also said that the clear message was that people now wanted the parties to set up a devolved Government by 26th March and to get on and deal with the practical issues of water rates and education.

Briefing took place at 9:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)

Environment

Asked where the talks were on the various proposals, the PMOS said that even as he spoke the leaders and heads of government were discussing it round the table, so we were not yet there. He added that we believed that we would get there, we believed that in terms of the specifics, renewables, targets for cutting emissions and so on, this is real practical progress and it would send out the signal in two directions. One, to the other members of the G8 + 5 for the June meeting, which was very, very important. Two, to industry to invest in the technology which would be necessary to achieve those targets. That was important. Europe wass giving a lead; it was reflecting public opinion right across Europe but it was also giving a practical lead and that we believed was a major achievement.

Briefing took place at 9:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (2)

» Thursday, March 8, 2007

Forthcoming Business

The Leader said that, on Monday, March 12, the debate would be: Estimates (2nd Allotted Day) - a debate on National Health Service Deficits (Andy Burnham for the Government), followed by a debate on Local Transport Planning and Funding (Gillian Merron). Details will be given in the Official Report. On Tuesday, March 13: Proceedings on the Consolidated Fund (Appropriation) Bill, followed by remaining stages of the Statistics and Registration Service Bill (John Healey). The House would debate Trident on a Government motion on Wednesday, March 14 (Margaret Beckett to open, Des Browne to close). Thursday, March 15: a debate on Widening Participation in Higher Education, on a motion for the Adjournment of the House (Bill Rammell). Friday, March 16 - not sitting.

Briefing took place at 15:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)

Trident Debate/Vote

The Leader read out the terms of the Government's motion, which had been tabled earlier and which would appear on the Order Paper on Friday, March 9:
"That this House supports the Government's decisions, as set out in the White Paper "The Future of the United Kingdom's Nuclear Deterrent" (Cm 6994), to take the steps necessary to maintain the UK's minimum strategic nuclear deterrent beyond the life of the existing system, and to take further steps towards meeting our disarmament responsibilities under Article VI of the Non-Proliferation Treaty"

Briefing took place at 15:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)

House of Lords Reform Debate/Vote

The Leader produced a list of tables, analysing the breakdown by party, of the votes in the Commons last night. Drawing comparison with the votes on the issue in 2003, which are contained in the Government's recent White Paper, the Leader said that he found it interesting that there had been a shift in the attitude of MPs on the Government side. It had to be borne in mind that the total number of Government MPs was larger in 2003, while the Opposition (Conservative) MPs were fewer.

Briefing took place at 15:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)

MP/Racism Comments

The Leader, asked to respond to an announcement that an Opposition frontbench spokesman Patrick Mercer had stepped down because of comments in the media, said that his resignation had been an appropriate step in the circumstances. Pressed for a further view, he said the comments were "dreadful".

Briefing took place at 15:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)

Cabinet/Policy Review

Review progress examined by Cabinet

The Prime Minister's Official Spokesman (PMOS) briefed journalists on the policy review. He said that Cabinet this morning was considering findings from two working groups of the policy review - public services and crime, security and justice. In his introduction, the Prime Minister focused on the need to take public service reform a stage further, particularly in light of the presentation from Ben Page of IPSOS MORI who had led public engagement seminars across the country in five different regions, which culminated in his Citizen's Summit on Saturday at No10. Mr. Page's presentation highlighted that the public had seen improvements, but wanted to see more. People also wanted flexibility in public services, but were concerned about a post-code lottery, they also wanted fair services, but were critical of those who abused them. That underlying sense of fairness was a recurring theme in his presentation.

Briefing took place at 9:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)

House Of Lords Reform Vote

Put that Jack Straw was "fairly robust" in referring to the vote, and asked whether the Prime Minister thought that it had to be taken very seriously now, given the time for legislation to get it through the House as soon as possible, the PMOS said that the Prime Minister recognised that the House of Commons had spoken with a clear voice. Equally, the next step was the House of Lords, and we had to wait for them to speak.

Briefing took place at 9:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)

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» Friday, March 9, 2007

Sir Alan Sugar

Lord Chief Justice

Northern Ireland Elections

Environment

» Thursday, March 8, 2007

Forthcoming Business

Trident Debate/Vote

House of Lords Reform Debate/Vote

MP/Racism Comments

Cabinet/Policy Review

House Of Lords Reform Vote

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