ePolitix.com briefing: PMQs

ePolitix.com reports on the exchanges during this week's session of questions to the prime minister.

Paul Rowen (Lib Dem, Rochdale) thanked the Speaker for his contribution to the House, before expressing concerns about the part-privatisation of the Royal Mail. The Lib Dem spokesman for work and pensions called on the prime minister to reconsider.

But Gordon Brown replied that the Royal Mail had problems that needed to be faced up to. "The fact is we have got to get new investment into the Royal Mail," he told the House.



George Howarth (Lab, Knowsley North and Sefton East) asked the prime minister for an indication of progress made on the government's review of Gurkha policy.

Brown explained that the government has "a great deal of sympathy and support" for Gurkhas wanting to come into the country. "We said that we would listen to the voice of the House after the debate a few weeks ago," Brown said. The home secretary will make a statement to the House tomorrow and the UK will "honour its commitment" to Gurkhas in a way that protects public finances.



Tom Harris (Lab, Glasgow East) called on the government to encourage banks to resume lending or public support for the banking bailout will "entirely evaporate".

The banks have agreed that £70bn of additional lending will go into the economy this year, Brown explained.



Virendra Sharma (Lab, Ealing Southall) asked the government what steps were being taken to involve India in bringing peace to its surrounding region, including Sri Lanka.

"I believe that we can make progress in a number of areas, now that the government has been re-established," Brown stated. He explained that he was talking to the new government about Pakistan, the world trade deal and restoring peace and security to the region.



Sir Nicholas Winterton (Con, Macclesfield) warned that no additional burdens should be placed on the manufacturing industry as it is "one of the only sources of economic growth". This includes the burdens of National Insurance contributions and fuel taxes, Sir Nicholas said.

The prime minister replied: "The future of this country will be built on modern manufacturing strength." The government will encourage innovation, help small businesses with "enterprise grants" and continue to support large companies. It is very important to us that we work with Europe, he added.



Martin Linton (Lab, Battersea) called for another look at establishing a citizens' convention to examine issues including party funding, Lords reform and proportional representation.

The government has some experience of constitutional conventions, including with Europe and Scotland, Brown said. The prime minister said that a consultation document on relations between the public and Parliament will be published in the "next few weeks".



David Lidington (Con, Aylesbury) warned that apprenticeship budgets are to be cut at a college in his constituency.

Brown replied that he would be "very happy" to look at the situation raised by Lidington.



Phil Wilson (Lab, Sedgefield) had a dig at the Conservatives, asking if tax cuts for millionaires would help the economy.

Tory tax cut plans are "scandalous", Brown agreed. To help the rich in such a way "would not be acceptable", he added.



John Baron (Con, Billericay) urged the government to support travellers who are facing forced eviction. He suggested that transit sites should be identified, warning that ministers have a "responsibility for this issue".

But the prime minister replied that this is a matter for the local council. He agreed to ensure that the communities secretary would look at the issue.



Roberta Blackman-Woods (Lab, City of Durham) praised Durham county council for being one of only two local authorities to be chosen for a free school meals pilot scheme.

Proper nutrition for school children is absolutely essential, the prime minister agreed. He suggested that the pilots would show that nutrition at an early age makes a difference to health and to learning.



Sir Robert Smith (Lib Dem, West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine) said there was "no confidence" left in Brown's government. He asked the prime minister why he lacked the "courage" to trust people to decide how the country should be run.

Brown explained that he was not calling an election because "we have work to do" to "clean up the system".



David Hamilton (Lab, Midlothian) outlined his anger at blacklisting in the construction industry, stating that it was "not acceptable in the 21st century".

The prime minister said it has "no place in the modern workplace" and confirmed that the government would legislate to ban it. There will be a "short consultation" over the summer, followed by moves to outlaw the practice in the House.



Brooks Newmark (Con, Braintree) expressed concern that rape conviction rates are low and falling further.

The prime minister said opposition parties should accept that the use of DNA evidence is helping to deliver convictions.



Marsha Singh (Lab, Bradford West) raised the case of a planned shopping centre in Bradford, and called for support to ensure it goes ahead.

The government would look to help the private sector if need be, said the prime minister, adding that regeneration projects should be going ahead.



Stewart Jackson (Con, Peterborough) called for policies to ensure "fairness and equity" in the treatment of grandparents.

Brown pointed to the Budget statement, saying there would be more tax credit support to "help families hold together".



Alasdair McDonnell (SDLP, Belfast South) warned that banks are "ruthlessly" pushing "otherwise viable businesses over the edge by refusing loans" and hiking interest rates.

The prime minister said there was "clearly concern" about how banks can better serve the public during the recession. A change of policy by government means an increase of £70bn in lending, Brown said, but he would look at individual cases raised by the MP.



John Barrett (Lib Dem, Edinburgh West) said that with unemployment over two million, more jobs could be created by investing in a high-speed rail network.

Brown told the Commons: "That's exactly what we are looking at."



Keith Vaz (Lab, Leicester East) asked for action to ensure that funding for the Metropolitan Police's human trafficking unit is not cut.

The prime minister responded that the unit will have an increased budget.