Press briefing from the Prime Minister’s Spokesman and the Leader of the House of Commons on: Defence Trade Treaty, EU Summit, Forthcoming Business, Cabinet, Chancellor of the Exchequer and Constitutional reform
Defence Trade Treaty
The Prime Minister’s Spokesman (PMS) began by drawing journalists’ attention to the joint US/UK Defence Trade treaty that had been agreed between the two countries that day. The PMS continued that the Prime Minister had said that this treaty would enable our two countries to share defence information, goods and services more effectively. Achieving this agreement had become more important than ever before, at a time when British and American forces continued to work closely in defence and security operations around the world.
Asked where had the Defence Trade Treaty come from, the PMS replied that it was something that had been discussed for some time between the UK and the US.
Asked if the Chancellor knew about the treaty beforehand, the PMS said that discussions went on in Government all the time, and we did not brief on the details.
EU Summit
Asked how far the Prime Minister had got in his phone conversation with Chancellor Merkel today in protecting our red lines, the PMS said that as the PMOS had set out this morning, it was a good discussion. Chancellor Merkel was aware of our position, but as people were currently travelling, the time for negotiations were when they arrived. However, nothing had changed since this morning.
Forthcoming Business
The Leader announced that business for the coming week would be:
Monday, June 25 - motion to approve a Ways and Means Resolution on the Finance Bill, followed by remaining stages of the Finance Bill, Day 1 (Stephen Timms, John Healey and Ed Balls for the Government); Tuesday, June 26 - conclusion of remaining stages of the Finance Bill (Stephen Timms, John Healey and Ed Balls), followed by a motion to approve a Money Resolution on the Off-Road Vehicles (Registration) Bill (Stephen Ladyman); Wednesday, June 27 - remaining stages of the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Bill [Lords] (Vera Baird); Thursday, June 28 - if necessary, consideration of Lords amendments, followed by remaining stages of the Concessionary Bus Travel [Lords] (Gillian Merron); Friday, June 29 - Private Members Bills.
Provisional business for the following week:
Monday, July 2 - Opposition Day (15th allotted day), there will be a debate on an Opposition motion (subject to be announced); Tuesday, July 3 - consideration of Lords amendments to the Statistics and Registration Service Bill (speakers tba), followed by, if necessary, consideration of Lords amendments; Wednesday, July 4 - second reading of the Child Maintenance and Other Payments Bill (tba); Thursday, July 5 - remaining stages of the Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress Bill [Lords] (tba), followed by a motion to approve a European document relating to Global Navigation Systems; Friday, July 7 - House not sitting.
The Leader also said that, in a response during Business Questions, he had indicated that the Government was planning for a debate on Zimbabwe on Thursday, July 19.
It was put to Mr Straw that he had not indicated which Ministers would be speaking in debates after June 28. He said that the Prime Minister would ensure that the media were the first to know after the Ministers themselves had been told!
Cabinet
Asked to describe the sequence of events earlier today, the Leader said that, like a number of colleagues, he had sat alongside Mr Blair since he had become Prime Minister, and before that. Today had been the most poignant meeting in many ways; it had also been a very moving occasion, in which people were able to give tribute to both the Deputy Prime Minister and the Prime Minister for the extraordinary service which they had given, above all, to the nation. Mr Straw said that it was the first time he had ever seen a standing ovation in the room. By a process of consultation in advance, he had opened the tributes. He had been followed by the DEFRA Secretary and by the Chancellor. Chancellor of the Duchy presented a gift to the DPM and the DCMS Secretary had done likewise to the Prime Minister. The DPM had spoken about his period in office, followed by the Prime Minister. It was followed by a standing ovation which continued as the Prime Minister left.
Asked what he thought of the Prime Minister’s comment that it was "the right time to go", Mr Straw said that, as everyone had hoped, the transition had been constructive and orderly.
Asked if anyone had been tearful, the Leader said he could not say, adding that he thought everyone had felt a welling in the back of the throat. It had been a remarkable occasion. It had been a phenomenal privilege for him, as someone who had served with the Prime Minister continuously for 13 years, to have been present today.
Asked who had chosen the gifts of paintings, the Leader said that had come about by the "usual osmotic processes". Colleagues had decided informally about five weeks previously to make a presentation.
Asked if a date for the next meeting of Cabinet had been pencilled in, Mr Straw said one had not been announced. It was not for him to make the announcement.
Asked if there had been any discussion in Cabinet about whether there should be a post of Deputy Prime Minister, the Leader said that there was not - and never would be. It was a matter for the Prime Minister since time immemorial.
It was put to Mr Straw that, if he knew the date of the next Cabinet, it suggested that he would be a member of it. He said it did not, adding that he could know the time of the first race at Ascot but it did not mean that he would be there !
Chancellor of the Exchequer
Asked if he could say anything further about today’s reports, Mr Straw referred to what he had said in the House earlier in response to questions about Lord Ashdown and the Liberal Democrats. The Leader declined to comment further, saying it was not for him to comment on the Chancellor’s private discussions. Pressed further, Mr Straw pointed out that, as he had indicated in the House earlier, it was perfectly normal for there to be discussions of all kinds between the leaders of the main political parties. He then responded to further questions on party political issues.
Constitutional reform
Questioned about the scope of Government’s discussions with the Opposition, the Leader said that there were two sets of discussions - one obviously under that umbrella and another which could do so. Firstly, in relation to reform of the House of Lords, he pointed out that he had appeared before the Constitutional Affairs select committee on Tuesday to discuss the issue. Since the votes in the House of Commons in early March, there had also been the first meeting of the resumed all-party group, which he was chairing. Another would take place next week.
Secondly, in respect of party funding, the all-party group chaired by Sir Hayden Phillips had held a number of meetings, which were continuing. It was put to the Leader that he had told the Committee that he did not favour a written constitution. Mr Straw said that more and more of the UK’s constitutional arrangements had been put into "black letter law", to use a Germanic phrase, over the last ten years. In particular, he cited the Human Rights Act and devolution. There was a big agenda to continue, including House of Lords reform. Mr Straw said that his sense was that it was better to pursue it in that manner rather than to try to codify the current arrangements. Asked about the view of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, he said that was a matter for him.
delicious
digg
facebook
