The main points from prime minister's questions in the House of Commons on Wednesday 7 March:
The main points from prime minister's questions in the House of Commons on Wednesday 7 March:
Prime Minster Tony Blair sent his condolences to the families of a serviceman killed in Iraq and three killed in Afghanistan in the past week. He paid tribute to the "heroism" of British soldiers.
Prime Minster Tony Blair sent his condolences to the families of a serviceman killed in Iraq and three killed in Afghanistan in the past week. He paid tribute to the "heroism" of British soldiers.
Jim McGovern, Labour Dundee West, asked if Scottish people would accept big price rises on everyday goods, which he said would happen if Scotland was independent.
Jim McGovern, Labour Dundee West, asked if Scottish people would accept big price rises on everyday goods, which he said would happen if Scotland was independent.
Mr Blair said Scottish people would suffer if their country was "wrenched" from the UK.
Mr Blair said Scottish people would suffer if their country was "wrenched" from the UK.
Conservative leader David Cameron sent his condolences to the families of the dead servicemen and asked if British forces in Afghanistan had sufficient equipment and back-up from other NATO countries.
Conservative leader David Cameron sent his condolences to the families of the dead servicemen and asked if British forces in Afghanistan had sufficient equipment and back-up from other NATO countries.
Mr Blair said other countries were committing forces, but said "I want more to be done by other NATO countries". He said he would be pressing them at the next EU summit, but he said "we have also got to make sure we discharge our own responsibilities", adding: "It is only the British forces who can make a real difference in the south of the country."
Mr Blair said other countries were committing forces, but said "I want more to be done by other NATO countries". He said he would be pressing them at the next EU summit, but he said "we have also got to make sure we discharge our own responsibilities", adding: "It is only the British forces who can make a real difference in the south of the country".
Mr Cameron asked how confident he was that progress would be made in southern Afghanistan over the next six months.
Mr Cameron asked how confident Mr Blair was that progress would be made in southern Afghanistan over the next six months.
Mr Blair said "real progress" was being made in Afghanistan, with the people standing up against the "bullies" in the Taleban as well as the "extraordinary" job British soldiers were doing.
Mr Blair said "real progress" had been made in the area, with local people standing up against the "bullies" in the Taleban as well as the "extraordinary" job being done British soldiers.
Labour's Ann Cryer called for Mr Blair to back a private members bill on forced marriages. Mr Blair said forced marriages were an "iniquitous" practice and said the government was looking to see how it could support the bill.
Labour's Ann Cryer called for Mr Blair to back a private members bill on forced marriages. Mr Blair said forced marriages were an "iniquitous" practice and said the government was looking to see how it could support the bill.
Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell sent his condolences to families of servicemen killed in action. He asked if the Attorney General's role was "sustainable" in the light of recent events.
Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell sent his condolences to families of servicemen killed in action.
Mr
Blair said: "No, I'm afraid I don't agree with him."
He
then asked "does the prime minister agree with the Lord Chancellor, Lord Falconer, that the position of the Attorney General, in his words, is not maintainable?"
In
his second set of questions, Mr Cameron, quoting former Blair foreign policy adviser Stephen Wall from a BBC documentary broadcast on Tuesday.
Mr
Blair replied: "The position of the Attorney General, and the role that he carries out, has been there for hundreds of years, in our constitution, and I believe it to be the right role."
Mr Campbell said: "In the light of recent controversy, in relation to Iraq, BAE and now cash for honours, isn't it essential that the functions and responsibilities of the Attorney General should be separate so that decisions about prosecution can be taken entirely independent of government?"
Mr Blair replied: "No I'm afraid I don't agree with him."
In his second set of questions, Mr Cameron quoted former Blair foreign policy adviser Stephen Wall from a BBC documentary broadcast on Tuesday.
Mr Wall, the Tory leader said, had said "you got the very clear impression he could not govern without Gordon and he could not govern with him". Mr Cameron asked: "Why would someone at the heart of Downing Street say this?"
Mr Wall, the Tory leader said, had said "you got the very clear impression he could not govern without Gordon and he could not govern with him". Mr Cameron asked: "Why would someone at the heart of Downing Street say this?"
Mr Blair paid tribute to the chancellor's record on the economy.
Mr Blair paid tribute to the chancellor's record on the economy.
Mr Cameron asked if there was any prospect of a "return to Cabinet government" when Mr Brown "takes over".
Mr Cameron asked if there was any prospect of a "return to Cabinet government" when Mr Brown "takes over".
Mr Blair said he wanted to give the House an "update" on the Tories' married couples tax allowances, which he suggested was in disarray.
Mr Blair said he wanted to give the House an "update" on the Tories' married couples tax allowances, which he suggested was in disarray.
MPs called for the Speaker to intervene, but was told by Michael Martin: "The prime minister and the leader of the opposition have some leeway in these matters."
MPs called for the Speaker to intervene, but was told by Michael Martin: "The prime minister and the leader of the opposition have some leeway in these matters."
Mr Cameron called for a show of hands from Labour's front bench, asking them: "Who thinks they will have more of a say around the Cabinet table when the chancellor takes over? They all know its going to be dreadful but none of them have the guts to do anything about it."
Mr Cameron called for a show of hands from Labour's front bench, asking them: "Who thinks they will have more of a say around the Cabinet table when the chancellor takes over?...They all know its going to be dreadful but none of them have the guts to do anything about it."
Mr Blair said being ahead in the polls did not mean you would win an election. Mr Blair then attacked Mr Cameron's speech setting out his vision on Europe, accusing him of wanting to form an alliance with a party from the Czech Republic, who believed global warming was a "myth". He said that when it came to policy-making Mr Cameron was "in the kindergarten".
Mr Blair said being ahead in the polls did not mean you would win an election. Mr Blair then attacked Mr Cameron's speech setting out his vision on Europe, accusing him of wanting to form an alliance with a party from the Czech Republic, who believed global warming was a "myth". He said that when it came to policy-making Mr Cameron was "in the kindergarten".
Liverpool MP Jane Kennedy congratulated Liverpool on beating Barcelona to go through to the quarter finals of the Champions League. Mr Blair paid tribute to all of the British teams who had qualified for the next stage of the tournament.
Liverpool MP Jane Kennedy congratulated Liverpool on beating Barcelona to go through to the quarter finals of the Champions League. Mr Blair paid tribute to all of the British teams who had qualified for the next stage of the tournament.
Answering a question on the suspension of ITV premium rate phone lines and whether it should be extended to all broadcasters, Mr Blair said he understand the issue was "causing a great deal of concern to many members of the public".
Answering a question on the suspension of ITV premium rate phone lines and whether it should be extended to all broadcasters, Mr Blair said he understand the issue was "causing a great deal of concern to many members of the public".
He said "welcomed" the suspension and he urged broadcasters to come together to make sure such services were operated in a "reliable and trustworthy way".
He said "welcomed" the suspension and he urged broadcasters to come together to make sure such services were operated in a "reliable and trustworthy way".
Conservative MP Rob Wilson asked whether a lottery was a good way of deciding school admissions.
Conservative MP Rob Wilson asked whether a lottery was a good way of deciding school admissions.
Mr Blair said there always going to be parents who did not get their first preference, but the "majority of people do" and the most important thing was to "improve the number of good schools".
Mr Blair said there always going to be parents who did not get their first preference, but the "majority of people do" and the most important thing was to "improve the number of good schools".
On Lords reform, Labour's Jim McLelland asked which country had the best system, those with wholly or partly elected second chambers. Mr Blair said the UK had the best system "for obvious reasons" but MPs would get a chance to vote later on reforming the second chamber.
On Lords reform, Labour's Jim McLelland asked which country had the best system, those with wholly or partly elected second chambers. Mr Blair said the UK had the best system "for obvious reasons" but MPs would get a chance to vote later on reforming the second chamber.
Pete Wishart, of the SNP, asked Mr Blair whether Lord Levy had offered Mr Blair advice on honours, as claimed in the latest cash for honours developments, in his capacity "as his Middle East envoy, his tennis partner or was at his fundraiser?".
Pete Wishart, of the SNP, asked Mr Blair whether Lord Levy had offered Mr Blair advice on honours, as claimed in the latest cash for honours developments, in his capacity "as his Middle East envoy, his tennis partner or was it as his fundraiser?".
Mr Blair said he could not comment on the police investigation, but he attacked the SNP for having "nothing to say" on the economy or law and order in Scotland and asked why in forthcoming elections they were "campaigning on a police inquiry conducted by the London Metropolitan Police".
Mr Blair said he could not comment on the police investigation, but he attacked the SNP for having "nothing to say" on the economy or law and order in Scotland and asked why in forthcoming elections they were "campaigning on a police inquiry conducted by the London Metropolitan Police".
Conservative MP Michael Jack called for a debate on farm payments. Mr Blair said the Conservatives were committed to "halving the amount of money" on public spending.
Conservative MP Michael Jack called for a debate on farm payments. Mr Blair said the Conservatives were committed to "halving the amount of money" that went on public spending.
Labour's Judy Mallaber called on Mr Blair to support elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Mr Blair said the UK had increased aid to the country and it was trying to bring peace and stability to all of Africa, including the DRC.
Labour's Judy Mallaber called on Mr Blair to support elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Mr Blair said the UK had increased aid to the country and it was trying to bring peace and stability to all of Africa, including the DRC.
