The main points from prime minister's questions in the House of Commons from 1200 BST on Wednesday 2 May:
The main points from prime minister's questions in the House of Commons from 1200 BST on Wednesday 2 May:
Tony Blair opened the session by paying tribute to British soldiers killed in the last week, which were echoed when they spoke, by Tory leader David Cameron and Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell.
Tony Blair opened the session by paying tribute to British soldiers killed in the last week, which were echoed when they spoke, by Tory leader David Cameron and Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell.
Ex-home secretary David Blunkett congratulated Tony Blair on his decade as prime minister and then praised the work of the security services in foiling the fertiliser bomb plotters.
Ex-home secretary David Blunkett congratulated Tony Blair on his decade as prime minister and then praised the work of the security services in foiling the fertiliser bomb plotters.
Mr Blair also praise the work of the security services and said he understood the concerns of the families of the 7/7 but said he thought it would be wrong to divert resources on to "another" independent inquiry. He said the Intelligence and Security committee was the right group to hold an inquiry.
Mr Blair also praise the work of the security services and said he understood the concerns of the families of the 7/7 but said he thought it would be wrong to divert resources on to "another" independent inquiry. He said the Intelligence and Security committee was the right group to hold an inquiry.
Mr Cameron asked whether the prime minister was ruling out an independent inquiry into the London bombings.He said the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC), a parliamentary committee which reports to the prime minister, was not equivalent to a full independent inquiry. He also pointed out that there had been an independent - Butler inquiry - probe into the pre-Iraq war intelligence after an ISC probe.
Mr Cameron asked whether the prime minister was ruling out an independent inquiry into the London bombings.He said the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC), a parliamentary committee which reports to the prime minister, was not equivalent to a full independent inquiry. He also pointed out that there had been an independent - Butler inquiry - probe into the pre-Iraq war intelligence after an ISC probe.
Mr Blair said the ISC saw, and can see, all the information they want and need. He said the ISC members were experienced and had had access to everything they needed and said it would not be a good idea to have a further independent inquiry as it would just divert security resources. He said he understood people wanted another inquiry, but said this was because they wanted a different conclusion.
Mr Blair said the ISC saw, and can see, all the information they want and need. He said the ISC members were experienced and had had access to everything they needed and said it would not be a good idea to have a further independent inquiry as it would just divert security resources. He said he understood people wanted another inquiry, but said this was because they wanted a different conclusion.
A further inquiry would "undermine support" for the security services and "I'm simply not prepared to do that", Mr Blair added.
A further inquiry would "undermine support" for the security services and "I'm simply not prepared to do that", Mr Blair added.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell asked about former defence secretary Geoff Hoon's admission that errors were made in the post war planning in Iraq, asking Mr Blair "who takes responsibility for these errors?"
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell asked about former defence secretary Geoff Hoon's admission that errors were made in the post war planning in Iraq, asking Mr Blair "who takes responsibility for these errors?"
Mr Blair said the government took responsibility for the decisions made but added: "The reason why things are so challenging and difficult in Iraq is that we have al-Qaeda on the one hand, which is an outside terrorist organisation, committing appalling acts of carnage in Iraq, and Iranian-backed Shia extremists, and our job in my view, is to stand up to both of those elements, since they're precisely the elements we face in Iraq, Afghanistan and the world over."
Mr Blair said the government took responsibility for the decisions made but added: "The reason why things are so challenging and difficult in Iraq is that we have al-Qaeda on the one hand, which is an outside terrorist organisation, committing appalling acts of carnage in Iraq, and Iranian-backed Shia extremists, and our job in my view, is to stand up to both of those elements, since they're precisely the elements we face in Iraq, Afghanistan and the world over."
In his second set of questions, Mr Cameron asked about Mr Blair's retirement plans asking why he was so "coy" about publicly endorsing Chancellor Gordon Brown as his successor.
In his second set of questions, Mr Cameron asked about Mr Blair's retirement plans asking why he was so "coy" about publicly endorsing Chancellor Gordon Brown as his successor.
Mr Blair taunted Mr Cameron about the Tories' selection process for a London mayoral candidate, adding: "I can assure him that the person I will be backing for the leadership of the Labour Party will at least be a member of the Labour Party."
Mr Blair taunted Mr Cameron about the Tories' selection process for a London mayoral candidate, adding: "I can assure him that the person I will be backing for the leadership of the Labour Party will at least be a member of the Labour Party."
To loud cheers from Labour MPs, Mr Blair listed some of Labour's achievements, such as economic stability, "record investment" in public services, more help for pensioner, repeal of section 28, a ban on tobacco advertising, "and of course the minimum wage," and said the thing they all had in common was that the Conservatives had voted against them.
To loud cheers from Labour MPs, Mr Blair listed some of Labour's achievements, such as economic stability, "record investment" in public services, more help for pensioners, repeal of section 28, a ban on tobacco advertising, "and of course the minimum wage," and said the thing they all had in common was that the Conservatives had voted against them.
Teignbridge Lib Dem MP Richard Younger-Ross called for more funding for free bus passes for pensioners.
Teignbridge Lib Dem MP Richard Younger-Ross called for more funding for free bus passes for pensioners.
Referring to the Liberal Democrats' website, which gave Mr Blair's premiership "four out of ten", the prime minister listed the things Lib Dems say he has got right, to cheers from Labour MPs, including an "ethical foreign policy", economic stability, Scottish and Welsh devolution and increased investment in public services.
Referring to the Liberal Democrats' website, which gave Mr Blair's premiership "four out of ten", the prime minister listed the things Lib Dems say he has got right, to cheers from Labour MPs, including an "ethical foreign policy", economic stability, Scottish and Welsh devolution and increased investment in public services.
Responding to a question from Rev Ian Paisley, Mr Blair backed calls for more cash from the European Commission to boost industry in Northern Ireland.
Responding to a question from Rev Ian Paisley, Mr Blair backed calls for more cash from the European Commission to boost industry in Northern Ireland.
Responding to a question from Labour MP for Heywood and Middleton Jim Dobbin, Mr Blair said it was difficult to stop companies moving abroad but it was important to keep the economy strong to generate new jobs.
Responding to a question from Labour MP for Heywood and Middleton Jim Dobbin, Mr Blair said it was difficult to stop companies moving abroad but it was important to keep the economy strong to generate new jobs.
Lee Scott, Conservative, Ilford North, called for Mr Blair to push for the release of BBC journalist Alan Johnston. Mr Blair has said there is "no conceivable reason" for Alan Johnston to still be held captive. He says everything is being done to secure the correspondent's release.
Lee Scott, Conservative, Ilford North, called for Mr Blair to push for the release of BBC journalist Alan Johnston and Corporal Gilad Shalit, an Israeli soldier. Mr Blair said the release of both men would make a "big difference in the Middle East". He said there is "no conceivable reason" for Alan Johnston to still be held captive. He says everything is being done to secure the correspondent's release. The release of Corporal Shalit would allow "a whole series of things to happen".
Responding to a question from Birmingham Northfield MP Richard Burden, Mr Blair said many MG Rover workers made redundant after the firm's collapse had been able to find "alternative work" thanks to government efforts and this was an example of the modern welfare state in action.
Responding to a question from Birmingham Northfield MP Richard Burden, Mr Blair said many MG Rover workers made redundant after the firm's collapse had been able to find "alternative work" thanks to government efforts and this was an example of the modern welfare state in action.
Mr Blair said it was the UN convention on human rights, not the human rights act, that prevented the detention and deportation of some foreign terror suspects, after Tory John Maples called for the act to be repealed.
Mr Blair said it was the UN convention on human rights, not the human rights act, that prevented the detention and deportation of some foreign terror suspects, after Tory John Maples called for the act to be repealed.
