Downing Street Says

The Prime Minister’s Spokesman (PMS) began by saying that most of the discussion at Cabinet this morning was about the weather situation.

Lord Adonis spoke about the issue of salting and how supplies were prioritised in terms of the responsibility local authorities had to distribute the salt. The Salt Cell could help prioritise where the salt was distributed.

There were also contributions from John Denham and from Ed Miliband who spoke about the situation regarding gas. The reports that there were only eight days of gas left in storage were untrue. We have an advantage as a country as we had, in a sense, our own natural storage, which was provided by the North Sea, although this did not mean we were complacent.

The PMS went on to say the stories regarding companies who had had their gas supply cut off referred to companies who had interruptible contracts. An interruptible contract meant that gas was bought at a price lower than the commercial price, on the understanding that in the event of pressure on the system the contract would be interrupted. Ed Miliband and colleagues were in contact with the National Grid regarding the gas supply situation.

There was also a discussion at Cabinet about the aftermath of the failed Detroit bombing incident. The Home Secretary referred to the statement he made to the House of Commons earlier this week and Lord Adonis updated colleagues on the aviation and airport security measures that had been put in place. There was also a contribution from the Foreign Secretary regarding Yemen.

Asked if they discussed the letter sent by Geoff Hoon and Patricia Hewitt regarding the Prime Minister’s position, the PMS said that the discussion at Cabinet was focussed on what needed to be done to address the weather conditions.

Asked if there had been any mention of the Prime Minister’s position, the PMS said no; there had been a full and thorough discussion about the key issues for the Government.
Asked if there had been any discussion at Cabinet about the Prime Minister’s keenness to have a collegiate style of government, the PMS said that today’s Cabinet meeting, as usual, emphasised just how collegiate Cabinet discussions were.

Asked if Harriet Harman stayed behind after Cabinet to talk to the Prime Minister, the PMS said that we did not comment on any meetings or discussions that the Prime Minister may or may not have with Cabinet colleagues.

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» Friday, January 8, 2010

Cabinet

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