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| LIVE: Prime minister's questions | LIVE: Prime minister's questions |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| LAURA KUENSSBERG'S VERDICT | |
| Exam season is over, but it felt like MPs had been doing their revision, with familiar themes coming to back to prime ministers' questions. | |
| David Cameron picked on a couple of issues the Tories have tried to make weather of in recent months; the parliamentary vote on 42 days, and the government's early release scheme in England. | |
| Firstly, "Deal or no deal" Mr Cameron wanted to know - quoting a letter published on the Telegraph website between the Labour chief whip and Keith Vaz, the Labour chair of the home affairs committee, implying that a deal had been done between the two men, to push the government's 42 day proposal through the Commons. | |
| The PM, no surprises, dismissed the idea that any deal had been done. He was asked the direct questions "were there deals done ?" He answered with a firm "no." | |
| Yet this letter, just freshly published, may well reignite the row over the wheeling and dealing over the vote which squeezed through the Commons, with a majority of only nine. | |
| Speculation will now run rife over what, if anything Mr Vaz, had been offered, to fall in behind the government. | |
| Mr Cameron then picked again at another sore the Conservatives have scratched on many occasions - the early release of prisoners in England and Wales. | |
| Characteristically, the PM answered with a barrage of information, the technique Nick Clegg later described as "confusing an answer with a list". | |
| It's a tactic Gordon Brown uses all too often. Mr Clegg's characterisation of it may well now stick. | |
| AS IT HAPPENED - BY JUSTIN PARKINSON | |
| 1238: Nick Robinson says it is uncertain what any reward for Mr Vaz would be. He says a knighthood or a peerage is possible. | 1238: Nick Robinson says it is uncertain what any reward for Mr Vaz would be. He says a knighthood or a peerage is possible. |
| 1233: Cabinet minister Hazel Blears is asked about the Keith Vaz letter mentioned during PMQs. She tells The Daily Politics she has "no idea what's in people's minds" when they write letters. She says that "in Parliament if you do a good job" people should be rewarded - his current status as home affairs committee chairman is such a reward, she adds. | 1233: Cabinet minister Hazel Blears is asked about the Keith Vaz letter mentioned during PMQs. She tells The Daily Politics she has "no idea what's in people's minds" when they write letters. She says that "in Parliament if you do a good job" people should be rewarded - his current status as home affairs committee chairman is such a reward, she adds. |
| 1232: There was a curiously subdued atmosphere throughout the session. | 1232: There was a curiously subdued atmosphere throughout the session. |
| 1231: That's it. Game over for another week. | 1231: That's it. Game over for another week. |
| 1230: Labour's Robert Flello asks Mr Brown to pay | 1230: Labour's Robert Flello asks Mr Brown to pay |
| tribute to former England goalkeeper Gordon Banks, who is to be honoured with a statue at Stoke City's stadium. He does so. | tribute to former England goalkeeper Gordon Banks, who is to be honoured with a statue at Stoke City's stadium. He does so. |
| 1128: Veteran Tory Sir Peter Tapsell says the PM's "bleak message" is that for many years he and his successors would be reading out the names of dead soldiers fighting an "unpopular war". Most Taleban members are now not "international terrorists", he adds. Mr Brown says the government has removed the Taleban from power and invites Sir Peter to visit the country. | 1128: Veteran Tory Sir Peter Tapsell says the PM's "bleak message" is that for many years he and his successors would be reading out the names of dead soldiers fighting an "unpopular war". Most Taleban members are now not "international terrorists", he adds. Mr Brown says the government has removed the Taleban from power and invites Sir Peter to visit the country. |
| 1226: The SNP's Angus Robertson says the quick timetable for the Glasgow East by-election shows Labour fears a "bloody nose". Mr Brown says it is right the constituency has a new MP "as quickly as possible". | 1226: The SNP's Angus Robertson says the quick timetable for the Glasgow East by-election shows Labour fears a "bloody nose". Mr Brown says it is right the constituency has a new MP "as quickly as possible". |
| 1125: Mr Brown says a review on internet security has made progress. | 1125: Mr Brown says a review on internet security has made progress. |
| 1223: Ex-Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith says South African leader Thabo Mbeki is not doing enough to get rid of Robert Mugabe. Mr Brown agrees it is time for Mr Mugabe to stand down. He says the African Union summit made a step forward on the issue at its summit. | 1223: Ex-Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith says South African leader Thabo Mbeki is not doing enough to get rid of Robert Mugabe. Mr Brown agrees it is time for Mr Mugabe to stand down. He says the African Union summit made a step forward on the issue at its summit. |
| 1223: Mr Brown says he is sorry to hear about the apparent terrorist incident in Jerusalem. He also calls on Hizbollah to end its status as an armed group. | 1223: Mr Brown says he is sorry to hear about the apparent terrorist incident in Jerusalem. He also calls on Hizbollah to end its status as an armed group. |
| 1222: Some suggestions in our have your say debate on possible questions to Mr Brown: From David King: Mr prime minister, do you think the 'hard-up struggling to live' stories in the media are representative of the general population - like the woman with the 08 plate mini Cooper struggling to make ends meet in yesterday's Breakfast. From smilingparrotfan: Please do what ever it takes to prevent our young people from killing each other. | 1222: Some suggestions in our have your say debate on possible questions to Mr Brown: From David King: Mr prime minister, do you think the 'hard-up struggling to live' stories in the media are representative of the general population - like the woman with the 08 plate mini Cooper struggling to make ends meet in yesterday's Breakfast. From smilingparrotfan: Please do what ever it takes to prevent our young people from killing each other. |
| 1220: The atmosphere is rather quiet for PMQs. Mr Brown says the government is stepping up its fuel efficiency programme for homes. | 1220: The atmosphere is rather quiet for PMQs. Mr Brown says the government is stepping up its fuel efficiency programme for homes. |
| 1218: The Tory leader says there are "no proper accommodation" checks on prisoners released early. He angrily accuses the PM of failing in "his basic duty" of keeping people safe. Mr Brown says the Conservatives "talk tough and act soft" on crime and other issues. | 1218: The Tory leader says there are "no proper accommodation" checks on prisoners released early. He angrily accuses the PM of failing in "his basic duty" of keeping people safe. Mr Brown says the Conservatives "talk tough and act soft" on crime and other issues. |
| 1217: Mr Cameron says some meant convicted of domestic violence have been released early and reoffended. Mr Brown says the government is taking the necessary action to increase prison places. | 1217: Mr Cameron says some meant convicted of domestic violence have been released early and reoffended. Mr Brown says the government is taking the necessary action to increase prison places. |
| 1215: Mr Cameron is back. He asks about the dangers of the prisoner early-release system. Mr Brown says less than 1% of prisoners released within 18 days of their due date have committed crimes in that time. Checks have been "stepped up", he adds. | 1215: Mr Cameron is back. He asks about the dangers of the prisoner early-release system. Mr Brown says less than 1% of prisoners released within 18 days of their due date have committed crimes in that time. Checks have been "stepped up", he adds. |
| 1214: A Labour backbencher praises the government for founding the NHS. Mr Brown says matrons, nurses and GPs are getting more power to run services. | 1214: A Labour backbencher praises the government for founding the NHS. Mr Brown says matrons, nurses and GPs are getting more power to run services. |
| 1212: Mr Clegg says there is "no excuse for the prime minister's complacency" on mental health issues. Mr Brown says "real investment" has increased by £1.2bn.1211: Onto the NHS, Lib Dem leader says there is a "two-tier" system, with "millions of mental health patients being left behind". Mr Brown answers that Labour should be "proud of 60 years of the National Health Service". | 1212: Mr Clegg says there is "no excuse for the prime minister's complacency" on mental health issues. Mr Brown says "real investment" has increased by £1.2bn.1211: Onto the NHS, Lib Dem leader says there is a "two-tier" system, with "millions of mental health patients being left behind". Mr Brown answers that Labour should be "proud of 60 years of the National Health Service". |
| 1209: Mr Cameron says the PM has an "utter inability to be straight with people". He asks about a letter published in the Telegraph from Chief Whip Geoff Hoon to Labour's home affairs committee chairman Keith Vaz, thanking him for his help over 42 days and saying he trusted he would be "appropriately rewarded" for supporting the government. | 1209: Mr Cameron says the PM has an "utter inability to be straight with people". He asks about a letter published in the Telegraph from Chief Whip Geoff Hoon to Labour's home affairs committee chairman Keith Vaz, thanking him for his help over 42 days and saying he trusted he would be "appropriately rewarded" for supporting the government. |
| 1208: Mr Cameron asks Mr Brown to confirm no deal was made to win the recent vote on 42 days' detention without charge for terror suspects. Mr Brown gives a one-word answer: "Yes." | 1208: Mr Cameron asks Mr Brown to confirm no deal was made to win the recent vote on 42 days' detention without charge for terror suspects. Mr Brown gives a one-word answer: "Yes." |
| 1207: David Cameron rises, saying he agrees with the PM on Zimbabwe.1206: Labour's Chris Bryant says the UN has been too slow in dealing with Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe. Mr Brown said the second round of the election was a "blood-stained travesty". | 1207: David Cameron rises, saying he agrees with the PM on Zimbabwe.1206: Labour's Chris Bryant says the UN has been too slow in dealing with Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe. Mr Brown said the second round of the election was a "blood-stained travesty". |
| 1204: Amid a continuing sombre mood, Lib Dem Bob Russell asks whether the number of Nato European countries in Afghanistan are allowing Britain to "take the brunt". Mr Brown quotes Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup's analysis that recent progress in Afghanistan is "remarkable". | 1204: Amid a continuing sombre mood, Lib Dem Bob Russell asks whether the number of Nato European countries in Afghanistan are allowing Britain to "take the brunt". Mr Brown quotes Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup's analysis that recent progress in Afghanistan is "remarkable". |
| 1201: Mr Brown says Afghan forces will take more responsibility for their own affairs over time. Labour's Jeremy Corbyn asks if UK strategy in Afghanistan should be re-evaluated. Mr Brown says the Taleban is responsible for violence and death in the country and that the UK is training up police and security forces. | 1201: Mr Brown says Afghan forces will take more responsibility for their own affairs over time. Labour's Jeremy Corbyn asks if UK strategy in Afghanistan should be re-evaluated. Mr Brown says the Taleban is responsible for violence and death in the country and that the UK is training up police and security forces. |
| 1200: We are off. Gordon Brown is paying tribute to troops killed in Afghanistan. | 1200: We are off. Gordon Brown is paying tribute to troops killed in Afghanistan. |
| 1558: BBC political editor Nick Robinson tells BBC Two's The Daily Politics he thinks Mr Cameron may ask about vehicle excise duty. | 1558: BBC political editor Nick Robinson tells BBC Two's The Daily Politics he thinks Mr Cameron may ask about vehicle excise duty. |
| 1154: Tory leader David Cameron arrives, to cheers from his backbenchers. Chamber at least half full now. | 1154: Tory leader David Cameron arrives, to cheers from his backbenchers. Chamber at least half full now. |
| 1153: All this reminds me: devolution could well come up during PMQs, after the former Conservative chancellor Ken Clarke's report on the subject was published on Tuesday. | 1153: All this reminds me: devolution could well come up during PMQs, after the former Conservative chancellor Ken Clarke's report on the subject was published on Tuesday. |
| 1152: Wales Office Minister Huw Irranca-Davies is praising the memory of Labour's NHS founder Aneurin Bevan - will Gordon Brown do the same a little later on? | 1152: Wales Office Minister Huw Irranca-Davies is praising the memory of Labour's NHS founder Aneurin Bevan - will Gordon Brown do the same a little later on? |
| 1150: Attendance is rising - shadow foreign secretary and former Tory leader William Hague is on the front bench already. | 1150: Attendance is rising - shadow foreign secretary and former Tory leader William Hague is on the front bench already. |
| 1147: It is still pretty quiet. About 100 MPs are in the Commons for Wales questions. The chamber does not usually fill up for a bit. But behind the scenes the party leaders are probably going through their lines, while backbenchers chosen to ask questions must be anxious to ensure they do not fluff theirs. | 1147: It is still pretty quiet. About 100 MPs are in the Commons for Wales questions. The chamber does not usually fill up for a bit. But behind the scenes the party leaders are probably going through their lines, while backbenchers chosen to ask questions must be anxious to ensure they do not fluff theirs. |
| 1140: You can follow all the main points here during PM's questions or watch live using the tabs at the top of this page. Laura Kuenssberg's instant analysis will be added within minutes of the session ending at 1230 and later you will be able to watch the whole session back on this page, and read more reaction to the sessions. You can follow all the updates on your mobile phone via the BBC's mobile website or focus on the key developments via our Twitter site. Twitter | 1140: You can follow all the main points here during PM's questions or watch live using the tabs at the top of this page. Laura Kuenssberg's instant analysis will be added within minutes of the session ending at 1230 and later you will be able to watch the whole session back on this page, and read more reaction to the sessions. You can follow all the updates on your mobile phone via the BBC's mobile website or focus on the key developments via our Twitter site. Twitter |
| 1135: Morning. It looks like being a very busy day at Westminster with lorry drivers arriving outside Parliament now to protest about fuel duty rates. And shortly after Prime Minister's Questions we are expecting to see a concerted attempt in the Commons to force a rethink on plans to increase vehicle excise duty (that's car tax to you and me) on the most polluting cars bought since 2001. Other issues which could come up in the Commons include knife crime, the NHS at 60, Zimbabwe and the EU treaty. | 1135: Morning. It looks like being a very busy day at Westminster with lorry drivers arriving outside Parliament now to protest about fuel duty rates. And shortly after Prime Minister's Questions we are expecting to see a concerted attempt in the Commons to force a rethink on plans to increase vehicle excise duty (that's car tax to you and me) on the most polluting cars bought since 2001. Other issues which could come up in the Commons include knife crime, the NHS at 60, Zimbabwe and the EU treaty. |
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