Downing Street Says » 2007

» Monday, April 23, 2007

Police Inquiry

Asked if the Prime Minister had been informed as to what the next steps were for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), the PMOS said that it was a matter for the CPS and the CPS alone. The PMOS added that the CPS had said, "Following media reports we wish to make it plain, once again, that it is not the role of any agency to 'recommend' charges to the CPS. Any decision on charges in the Cash for Honours case will be taken by the CPS alone after full and careful consideration of the police file of evidence and applying the Code for Crown prosecutors."

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

Home Office

Asked what the Security and Terrorism Committee would involve, the PMOS said it would bring together for the first time the Secretary of State for Home Affairs, the Foreign Secretary, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, other agencies and the Prime Minister for the first time. Asked if the Chancellor would be present, the PMOS said no. Asked if there would be any briefing, the PMOS said that as it was the first meeting there would be a pooled brief but it would not be a regular occurrence.

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

Prime Minister’s Visit to Germany this week

Asked why the Prime Minister was going to Germany this week, the PMOS said that Germany currently held the Presidency and the meeting was important because of the EU Treaty, climate change, energy discussions and the World Trade Organisation (WTO). The PMOS added that the Prime Minister and Chancellor Merkel had regular meetings but in the run up to the EU Council and G8 in June there was a greater need to keep in touch. Asked if it was the Prime Minister's intention to have an agreed position, the PMOS had said he believed an amending Treaty would be in the interests of both the EU and this country.

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

Northern Ireland

Asked if the Prime Minister would be travelling to Northern Ireland in two weeks, the PMOS said that there had been an invitation at PMQs. We were polite people and the 8th May was an important date in Northern Ireland.

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

Troops

Asked if there was any news on Operation Sinbad the PMOS said there was nothing new to add.

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

» Friday, April 20, 2007

Forthcoming Business

The Leader announced that business for next week would be: Monday, April 23 - second reading of the Finance Bill (Dawn Primarolo and Ed Balls, for the Government); Tuesday, April 24 - Opposition Day (9th Allotted Day): debate entitled "Modernising Medical Careers" (Patricia Hewitt), followed by a debate entitled "The Future of Local Government" (Ruth Kelly and Phil Woolas), with both debates arising on an Opposition motion; Wednesday, April 25 - a motion relating to the Crossrail Bill (Tom Harris); followed by - the Chairman of Ways and Means has named opposed Private Business for consideration; Thursday, April 26 - a debate on "Defence in the UK" on a motion for the adjournment of the House (Adam Ingram and Derek Twigg); Friday, April 27 - Private Members Bill.

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

Private Members Bill/Freedom of Information Act

The Leader, asked if he supported the intention of the Bill before MPs for debate tomorrow to exempt both Houses from the Act, said that the Government did not have a formal position on the measure. He pointed out that the issue had been the subject of considerable debate when the original White Paper had been published in 1997. It had proposed that Parliament should be exempted. Pressed on why the Government had not sought to block the Bill at an earlier stage, Mr Straw repeated that it was a matter for Parliament. Asked for his personal view, he again stated that it was for Parliament. He said he would not be present for any vote on the Bill. He then went on to explain the procedural issues for debating a Private Members Bill.

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

Helen Liddell/Iraq

Mr Straw was asked if Iraq was part of the war on terror. Responding, he recalled the motion passed by the House on March 18, 2003 - and the case which both he and the Prime Minister had made - in respect of the threat, as UN Resolution 1441 had stated, to international peace and security posed by the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, the long-range missile systems and the Iraq's failure to comply with UN resolutions. He said that what had happened subsequently was that the population in Iraq had been subjected to terrible terrorist attacks, as witnessed by yesterday's tragic events. Asked for his view of the Prime Minister's comment that Iraq was now in the front line of terror, he said he agreed with the explanation given by the PMOS at an earlier briefing today.

Briefing took place at 15:00 | Read whole briefing | Comment (1)

Avian flu/compensation

Asked to explain his earlier comments about compensation to be paid to turkey producer Bernard Matthews, Mr Straw said that the system gave people rights under the law on a fair basis. The reason why compensation generally was paid in respect of the slaughter of animals was because farmers would otherwise lose their livelihood and also because farmers would have no excuse against reporting diseases which could lead to an epidemic. If the questioner was asking whether he personally was uncomfortable with the specific compensation, Mr Straw repeated the comments he had made in the House earlier.

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

Portcullis House flagpole

The Leader expanded on his earlier comments about action he had taken to ensure that the Union flag could be flown above the building. He personally inspected the location of the pole yesterday after being told that it was dangerous to do so. Mr Straw explained why that was the case and it could result in a person placing the flag on the pole being decapitated by the access hatch. Some modest safety measures were now being taken to resolve the problem. Asked if he saw that as his legacy, he replied, amid laughter, that he did not. He said that Portcullis House, like all buildings which had been over-budget and over-time, was magnificent. The flying of the specific flag was not a matter for him.

Briefing took place at 15:00 | 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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» Monday, April 23, 2007

Police Inquiry

Home Office

Prime Minister’s Visit to Germany this week

Northern Ireland

Troops

» Friday, April 20, 2007

Forthcoming Business

Private Members Bill/Freedom of Information Act

Helen Liddell/Iraq

Avian flu/compensation

Portcullis House flagpole

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