The main points so far from prime minister's questions in the House of Commons on Wednesday 24 January.
The main points so far from prime minister's questions in the House of Commons on Wednesday 24 January.
Tony Blair began by paying tribute to Private Michael Tench, who died in southern Iraq this week.
Tony Blair began by paying tribute to Private Michael Tench, who died in southern Iraq this week.
The first question was about the economic impact of Scotland leading the union. Mr Blair said separating Scotland and England would be bad for both countries.
The first question was about the economic impact of Scotland leaving the union. Mr Blair said separating Scotland and England would be bad for both countries.
Tory leader David Cameron added his tributes to Private Michael Tench, before asking for an assurance that all other options would be looked at before focusing on law and order, in particular the Home Office.
Tory leader David Cameron added his tributes to Private Michael Tench, before asking for an assurance that all other options would be looked at before focusing on law and order, in particular the Home Office.
He asked for an assurance that prisoners would not be given early release because of lack of space in prisons and asked Mr Blair twice whether the chancellor backed the idea put forward by Home Secretary John Reid for the Home Office to be split in to.
He asked for an assurance that prisoners would not be given early release because of lack of space in prisons and asked Mr Blair twice whether the chancellor backed the idea put forward by Home Secretary John Reid for the Home Office to be split in two.
He said with prisoners on the run, weak borders and overcrowded prisons all the government had come up with was a "half-baked" plan to split the Home Office. Mr Cameron concluded by likening the government to the ship stranded off the Devon coast - "washed up" with people "scrabbling over the wreckage".
He said with prisoners on the run, weak borders and overcrowded prisons all the government had come up with was a "half-baked" plan to split the Home Office. Mr Cameron concluded by likening the government to the ship stranded off the Devon coast - "washed up" with people "scrabbling over the wreckage".
In his response to Mr Cameron, the prime minister said the government had brought in more prison places, with more to come, had brought in tougher laws and increase police numbers, and, as a whole had brought in measures to cut crime.
In his response to Mr Cameron, the prime minister said the government had brought in more prison places, with more to come, had brought in tougher laws and increased police numbers, and, as a whole had brought in measures to cut crime. He said Mr Reid's proposal would be discussed in government before any announcement would be made.
Mr Blair said Mr Cameron and the Conservatives who "used to be the party of law and order" now voted against tough measures and extra investment in law and order measures.
Mr Blair said Mr Cameron and the Conservatives who "used to be the party of law and order" now voted against tough measures and extra investment in law and order measures.
Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell focused on the situation in Iraq, and especially Mr Blair's failure to take part in the debate on Iraq which is due to take place after PMQs. He said the soldiers deserved more leadership from the prime minister.
Mr Blair criticised Sir Menzies' view that there should be a target date for withdrawal of UK troops. He also pointed out that they were debating Iraq at PMQs so there was no question of him being unwilling to debate the issue.
