Briefing from the Prime Minister’s Spokesman on: Iraq, ID Cards, Civil service Reform, Pensions, Deputy Prime Minister, PM’s Constituency and David Blunkett
Iraq
Asked for a reaction to the Iraqi Interim Government’s threat to shoot journalists if they did not leave Najaf, the Prime Minister’s Spokesman (PMS) said that we were in touch with the Iraqi authorities and the UK media about these reports. It was important not to be too hasty in turning this issue into a debate about free speech. This was especially so in the light of the fact that we were seeing a relatively ‘lively’ free media operating in Iraq for the first time in many years. The foreign media in Iraq was also enjoying greater freedom to report than ever before under Saddam’s regime. Decisions about the presence of the media in Najaf was a matter for the Iraqi authorities. We were sure that any action taken by them would be consistent with the prevailing security situation. The PMS added that no one should be complacent about the security risks in Iraq under the current circumstances. The Foreign Office’s travel advice was very clear: it advised against all but the most essential travel to Iraq.
Asked if the Prime Minister agreed with Sir Jeremy Greenstock’s view that the Coalition’s occupation of Iraq should be seen as a failure if the security situation had not improved in eighteen months’ time, the PMS said that Sir Jeremy was entitled to his view. We were clear that there was an important democratic process currently underway in Iraq. The Iraqi National Congress, which was meeting at the moment, was playing a very important role in the country’s political future and was part of the process which would lead to democratic elections next year.
ID Cards
Asked for a reaction to doubts expressed by Richard Thomas, the Information Commissioner, regarding the purpose of ID cards and the information contained on them, the PMS said that Mr Thomas had made an important contribution to the debate on ID cards. A consultation was currently ongoing into the issue and we were therefore keen to hear people’s views. However, as we had underlined in the past, there would be guarantees against any ‘function creep’ regarding the transfer of information about people to different parts of Government. As we had made clear, that was not going to happen. There would be proper oversight of such a scheme, as you would expect.
Civil Service Reform
Asked about reports that the Prime Minister had appointed Sir Patrick Brown to conduct a review into the way Civil Servants took up jobs in the public sector, the PMS pointed out that this was not a new story. The Cabinet Office had issued a news release on 22 July announcing the fact that there would be a review into how Civil Servants could move into private industry and how people from the private sector could move into the Civil Service. Put to her that a ‘welter of announcements’ had been put out on 22 July - the day that Parliament had risen for its summer recess, the PMS pointed out that the Prime Minister himself had said in a speech at a Civil Service Conference in Docklands in February that a review into this issue would be undertaken. She repeated that this was not a new story.
Asked if the Prime Minister wanted to remove the restriction on Civil Servants having to wait for months before taking up a post in the private sector, the PMS said that the Prime Minister wanted to have a look at the rules which had not been changed since 1996. Asked if the Prime Minister was concerned about the dangers of former public servants being in possession of sensitive information which might be of use to private firms, the PMS said that this was precisely why the Prime Minister believed it was necessary to have a review of the rules surrounding any moves from the public to private sector and vice versa. It was important to ensure that any such criticisms could not be made against anyone. Asked what had prompted the review in the light of the fact that the current rules were not that old, the PMS suggested that perhaps the transfer of people between the public and private sectors was happening more frequently, hence the need for the system needed to be looked at again and supported properly. Sir Patrick Brown was carrying out that review and we would await his recommendations.
Pensions
Asked if the Deputy Prime Minister was keen to change the rules on pensions in local government, the PMS said that as she understood it, we were trying to ensure that public service pension schemes remained affordable and sustainable. She referred journalists to ODPM for further detail.
Deputy Prime Minister
Asked if the Deputy Prime Minister would be receiving any "hero-grams" as a result of his "fabulous have-a-go" rescue mission at the weekend, the PMS pointed out that the Deputy Prime Minister had spoken about the incident and had given a description of what had happened.
PM’s Constituency
Asked for further detail about the reported arrest of asylum seekers accused of plotting to attack the Prime Minister in his constituency, the PMS said that the story was complete nonsense. She referred journalists to Durham Police if they were looking to corroborate her statement.
David Blunkett
Asked if the Home Secretary continued to enjoy the Prime Minister’s full confidence, the PMS said yes.
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