The main points from prime minister's questions on Wednesday, 16 January, from 1200 GMT:
The main points from prime minister's questions on Wednesday, 16 January, from 1200 GMT:
Answering a question from Robert Flello (Labour, Stoke-on-Trent North), Prime Minister Gordon Brown said people were right to be concerned about the economy but he said UK inflation was 2.1% and employment had risen and unemployment was down - "the best employment record in history".
Answering a question from Robert Flello (Labour, Stoke-on-Trent North), Prime Minister Gordon Brown said people were right to be concerned about the economy but he said UK inflation was 2.1% and employment had risen and unemployment was down - "the best employment record in history".
Conservative leader David Cameron asked if all the taxpayers money given to Northern Rock would be paid back. Mr Brown said shareholders and depositors were "let down by a bad business plan". He said the government was still looking for a private buyer for the bank but no option was ruled out. He said Mr Cameron had supported the government's actions on Northern Rock in September last year.
Conservative leader David Cameron asked if all the taxpayers money given to Northern Rock would be paid back. Mr Brown said shareholders and depositors were "let down by a bad business plan". He said the government was still looking for a private buyer for the bank but no option was ruled out. He said Mr Cameron had supported the government's actions on Northern Rock in September last year.
Mr Cameron called on Mr Brown to confirm that £55bn of public funds - including £20bn in emergency loans and £29bn in guarantees - had been put into Northern Rock. He accused Mr Brown of "dither and delay" over the rescue of Northern Rock, saying he had done so because he was planning a general election. He said Mr Brown was advised to make an immediate sale of the bank after the run on it last September.
Mr Cameron called on Mr Brown to confirm that £55bn of public funds - including £20bn in emergency loans and £29bn in guarantees - had been put into Northern Rock. He accused Mr Brown of "dither and delay" over the rescue of Northern Rock, saying he had done so because he was planning a general election. He said Mr Brown was advised to make an immediate sale of the bank after the run on it last September.
Mr Brown said "we do not provide a running commentary on figures". He said the government intervened to protect depositors and the wider economy. He asked if the Conservatives supported such action. He also denied Mr Cameron's claim that Lloyds TSB had offered to buy Northern Rock immediately after the run on the bank.
Mr Brown said "we do not provide a running commentary on figures". He said the government intervened to protect depositors and the wider economy. He asked if the Conservatives supported such action. He also denied Mr Cameron's claim that Lloyds TSB had offered to buy Northern Rock immediately after the run on the bank.
Mr Cameron said Mr Brown had "dithered and delayed" over a range of decisions. The prime minister said Mr Cameron's Conservatives had "changed their position every day" on Northern Rock.
Mr Cameron said Mr Brown had "dithered and delayed" over a range of decisions. The prime minister said Mr Cameron's Conservatives had "changed their position every day" on Northern Rock.
Answering a question from Nigel Waterson (Conservative, Eastbourne) Mr Brown said closing maternity wards had been done on the advice of doctors and would lead to a safer and better service.
Answering a question from Nigel Waterson (Conservative, Eastbourne) Mr Brown said closing maternity wards had been done on the advice of doctors and would lead to a safer and better service.
Asked about the SNP's opposition to new nuclear plants, Mr Brown said he hoped every part of the UK would support the government's energy plans.
Asked about the SNP's opposition to new nuclear plants, Mr Brown said he hoped every part of the UK would support the government's energy plans.
Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg asked about "rocketing" home repossessions, which he said would affect 45,000 families this year, accusing the government of encouraging "grossly irresponsible lending by banks".
Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg asked about "rocketing" home repossessions, which he said would affect 45,000 families this year, accusing the government of encouraging "grossly irresponsible lending by banks".
He asked if Mr Brown would take action or "just sit there wringing his hands while British families lose their homes".
He asked if Mr Brown would take action or "just sit there wringing his hands while British families lose their homes".
Mr Brown said Labour had extended home ownership thanks to its economic policies. He then produced a dossier published by Lib Dem home affairs spokesman, Chris Huhne, during his failed party leadership bid, which accused Mr Clegg of "flip-flopping" on the economy.
Mr Brown said Labour had extended home ownership thanks to its economic policies. He then produced a dossier published by Lib Dem home affairs spokesman, Chris Huhne, during his failed party leadership bid, which accused Mr Clegg of "flip-flopping" on the economy.
Answering a question on Darfur, Mr Brown said he had spoken to the Chinese premier earlier about making sure a ceasefire is properly administered. He said he would continue to push for peace in Sudan when he visits China this week.
Answering a question on Darfur, Mr Brown said he had spoken to the Chinese premier earlier about making sure a ceasefire is properly administered. He said he would continue to push for peace in Sudan when he visits China this week.
Anne McIntosh (Conservative, Vale of York) said inflation was now higher than during the last Conservative government. Mr Brown said it was not.
Anne McIntosh (Conservative, Vale of York) said inflation was now higher than during the last Conservative government. Mr Brown said it was not.
Responding to a question from Labour MP Keith Vaz on violent video games, such as Manhunt Two, which he said featured knife and gun crime, Mr Brown said the classification system was being looked at by a review, but he said he would be happy to meet a delegation of MPs calling for tougher restrictions.
Responding to a question from Labour MP Keith Vaz on violent video games, such as Manhunt Two, which he said featured knife and gun crime, Mr Brown said the classification system was being looked at by a review, but he said he would be happy to meet a delegation of MPs calling for tougher restrictions.
Brian Binley (Labour, Northampton North) appeared to be surprised to be called, telling MPs: "There are times when I am on another planet. That was one of them". He asked if the prime minister's new strategy chief, Stephen Carter, who he described as Mr Brown's "chosen nominee" to run Northern Rock had "any residual interest" to PR company Brunswick.
Brian Binley (Conservative, Northampton North) appeared to be surprised to be called, telling MPs: "There are times when I am on another planet. That was one of them". He asked if the prime minister's new strategy chief, Stephen Carter, who he described as Mr Brown's "chosen nominee" to run Northern Rock had "any residual interest" to PR company Brunswick.
Mr Brown replied: "Mr Carter has no responsibility for Northern Rock."
Mr Brown replied: "Mr Carter has no responsibility for Northern Rock."
Conservative MP Edward Leigh asked why Britain had handed control of Basra to militant Shia militias. Mr Brown said violence was down by 90% in Basra and British troops were doing a "great job".
Conservative MP Edward Leigh asked why Britain had handed control of Basra to militant Shia militias. Mr Brown said violence was down by 90% in Basra and British troops were doing a "great job".
John Heppall (Labour, Nottingham North) called on Mr Brown to push ahead with plans to make organ donations compulsory after death.
John Heppall (Labour, Nottingham North) called on Mr Brown to push ahead with plans to make organ donations compulsory after death.
John
Heppall (Labour, Nottingham North) called on Mr Brown to push ahead with plans to make organ donations compulsory after death.
Mr
Brown said a report was being published looking at how to increase the number of organs being donated under the present system, where people "opt-in" to give their organs after death. Another report would be published later in the year examining whether to bring in an opt-out system, and if so whether it should have a "family veto" built in so religious concerns could be dealt with.
Mr Brown said a report would be published later on how to increase the number of organs being donated under the present system, where people "opt-in" to give their organs after death. Another report would be published later proposing a "family veto" on organ donations, which he said would satisfy many of the religious objections to a new "opt-out" system.
