This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/7486953.stm

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Brown pressed on incentives claim Brown pressed on incentives claim
(10 minutes later)
Gordon Brown has denied offering backbenchers incentives to vote through controversial counter-terrorism laws, during questioning by senior MPs.Gordon Brown has denied offering backbenchers incentives to vote through controversial counter-terrorism laws, during questioning by senior MPs.
The prime minister is facing the chairs of 30 Commons committees, among them Home Affairs chairman Keith Vaz.The prime minister is facing the chairs of 30 Commons committees, among them Home Affairs chairman Keith Vaz.
Mr Vaz, whose decision to back the proposals prompted rumours he had been offered a knighthood, asked Mr Brown to confirm he had made no such offers.Mr Vaz, whose decision to back the proposals prompted rumours he had been offered a knighthood, asked Mr Brown to confirm he had made no such offers.
"Not at all," replied Mr Brown, who also faces questions on the economy."Not at all," replied Mr Brown, who also faces questions on the economy.
Mr Vaz was in the news on Wednesday, after a letter to him from Labour chief whip Geoff Hoon, suggesting he may be "appropriately rewarded" for his help, was leaked to the Daily Telegraph.Mr Vaz was in the news on Wednesday, after a letter to him from Labour chief whip Geoff Hoon, suggesting he may be "appropriately rewarded" for his help, was leaked to the Daily Telegraph.
At the start of the session Tory MP Patrick Cormack suggested the reward might be the opportunity to question Mr Brown - to which Mr Vaz joked: "I'm not sure that's not being shortchanged".At the start of the session Tory MP Patrick Cormack suggested the reward might be the opportunity to question Mr Brown - to which Mr Vaz joked: "I'm not sure that's not being shortchanged".
The prime minister is pressed on his lifestyle and job satisfaction by Tory MP Sir Patrick Cormack and urged to take a holiday - Mr Brown says he has "the best job in the world" Key points as they happenThe prime minister is pressed on his lifestyle and job satisfaction by Tory MP Sir Patrick Cormack and urged to take a holiday - Mr Brown says he has "the best job in the world" Key points as they happen
But in his question to the prime minister about counter-terrorism laws he also asked him to confirm he had not offered knighthoods, peerages or the "governorship of Bermuda".But in his question to the prime minister about counter-terrorism laws he also asked him to confirm he had not offered knighthoods, peerages or the "governorship of Bermuda".
Mr Brown replied: "Not at all, nor do I recall writing any letters to anyone."Mr Brown replied: "Not at all, nor do I recall writing any letters to anyone."
On Wednesday the Bank of England's new deputy governor, Charlie Bean, told MPs there was "not very much that we can do about that as a nation" to help the British economy without increasing productivity. He also said MPs should listen to the DUP MPs, who voted in favour of the legislation, as they knew more about the effect of terrorism on society than anyone.
There was also an unexpected profit warning from Sir Stuart Rose, Marks and Spencer's chief executive, who predicted "stormy times ahead" for the UK economy. The Conservative chairman of the public accounts committee, Edward Leigh, also pushed Mr Brown for a "yes or no" answer on whether there were "absolutely no discussions" with the DUP about anything other than the merits of the 42-day proposal.
The same day also brought figures from the Royal Institution for Chartered Surveyors, showing the building of new homes had fallen at the fastest pace since 1995. Pre-charge detention
And more than 200 hauliers parked their lorries on one of the main roads into London to demonstrate against rising fuel prices. Mr Brown replied "yes" and added: "We were discussing the issue on its merits and I think you do a great disservice to members of Parliament if you suggest otherwise."
The price of oil has continued to climb as well, with Brent crude rising above $145 (£73) a barrel for the first time. Mr Vaz also asked whether there was a danger of breaching the "constitutional settlement" by having Parliament vote on extending pre-charge detention for terrorism suspects.
Mr Brown said he did not accept that, as the home secretary would come to Parliament with the support of police and prosecutors.
He also said he thought Muslims would support the laws as they wanted protection from terrorism as much as anyone.
He has also been asked about each individual's rights and responsibilities, the powers of the attorney general and rebalancing power between Parliament and the executive.
Sir Patrick Cormack, chairman of the Northern Ireland Affairs committee, suggested some of the constitutional changes had been "window dressing" - Mr Brown said there had been significant changes, such as giving MPs' a vote on going to war.
He is also being questioned on "managing the economic slowdown" a day after predictions of lower standards of living in the UK for at least a year.