ePolitix.com: PMQs briefing

---

Spending cuts, the EU and the voting system were the dominant interests of backbench MPs at prime minister's questions today.

Peter Bone (Con, Wellingborough) asked the prime minister about the UK's £17.5bn contribution to the European Union. He asked whether cuts to the defence budget will subsidise the European Parliament.

Cameron responded that the Labour government had given away the £8bn rebate. He made it absolutely clear that he will accept no further increases. He added that he believes he has a new ally in these matters in the new Dutch prime minister.

Nicky Morgan (Con, Loughborough) stressed the importance of publishing local spending online, highlighting Charnwood borough council.

Cameron agreed that transparency was an important tool for efficiency and said one of the ways the government will try to save money while not losing too many jobs in the public sector is by making sure that we are more efficient.

Chi Onwurah (Lab, Newcastle Upon Tyne Central) called for reassurance for her constituents who fear losing their jobs.

She asked: "Would you reassure them by explaining how cutting science funding is part of a strategy for growth? Germany is increasing its science funding by 7 per cent.

"On jobs, is your message to Newcastle: 'Auf wiedersehen pet'?"

The prime minister responded by confirming the science budget will be frozen in cash terms. He said it is "vitally important that we try and protect economic growth".

Oliver Heald (Con, NE Hertfordshire) paid tribute to Save the Children and other development funds, noting the release of Franz Barnard who had been kidnapped by masked gunmen in Somalia.

The prime minister praised the professionalism of Save the Children and thanked the Somali clan members who were involved in the release of the British aid worker.

Sandra Osborne (Lab, Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock) called for the UK to lead a global crackdown on tax dodging, highlighting the UK effort on aid

Cameron responded that the UK will meet the 0.7 per cent aid target by 2013.

Jessica Lee (Con, Erewash) called for the prime minister to join her in backing the supporters of Ilkeston Town football club who are working hard to put together a bid to save the club.

The prime minister said a club owned by its supporters "is a very positive move".He also highlighted England's bid for the 2018 World Cup.

Lindsay Roy (Lab, Glenrothes) expressed his concerns for the interim cap on migrant worker numbers.

Cameron referred to the consultation on the issue and pointed to the need for a temporary limit on immigration.

Christopher Chope (Con, Christchurch) asked the prime minister why he agreed that the first past the post voting system was fairer than AV.

Cameron replied that he had always supported FPTP and the link between MPs and their constituency. He pointed out that in some cases AV could lead to even more disproportionate outcomes. He thanked Conservative backbenchers for allowing the bill to go through the Commons "so we can have arguments in this country" via the referendum.

Dr William McCrea (DUP, South Antrim) called for reassurance that the decision taken on the 50,000 Presbyterian Mutual Society savers would be fair and equitable.

The prime minister said that he has "given his word" to those that lost their money. He added that he hopes they will be satisfied with the action to be taken.

Dan Byles (Con, North Warwickshire) said he has been to China where he found that Chairman Mao promoted the virtues of "thrift" in his Red Book. He asked whether Cameron thinks Labour has something to learn from Communist China.

Cameron responded by saying "even Cuba is cutting public spending". He added that Labour is somewhere between Cuba and China.

Michael Connarty (Lab, Linlithgow and East Falkirk) said that following a meeting with the Northern Ireland human rights commissioners, there is a lack of a human rights act for Northern Ireland, reneging on Good Friday Agreement promises.

Cameron stated that he would look at the issue and write to the Member.

David Nuttall (Con, Bury North) expressed outrage that the European Union was expanding its bureaucracy as the UK seeks to reduce its own.

Cameron noted the difficult decisions being taken by the UK government and said that the European Union should do the same.

Tom Watson (Lab, West Bromwich East) called to bring an end to offshore tax havens.

The prime minister said he agreed that everyone should pay taxes.

Philip Davies (Con, Shipley) said it was "unacceptable" that the government had rubber stamped the increase in the UK contribution to the EU budget.

In response, Cameron said the government opposed an increase in the EU budget. He said that Europe too must start to live within its means.

David Anderson (Lab, Blaydon) said that North East Chamber of Commerce reports that 17,000 construction jobs are at risk due to council cuts. He asked whether the prime minister believes unemployment is a "price worth paying" for cutting government spending.

Cameron responded that there is no ideological drive behind wielding the axe but that it is simply the best policy for economic health. He said the British Chambers of Commerce thinks the government is correct to take this action.

David Evennett (Con, Bexleyheath and Crayford) argued that a £44bn hole in the public finances did not merit promising additional funding, as the opposition were doing.

The prime minister responded by repeating the claim that there is a "problem with the deficit in this country".

Jenny Chapman (Lab, Darlington) asked whether the prime minister could name just four North East businesses which are planning to expand their workforce in the coming months.

Cameron responded by referring to the 38 business across the country that are backing the government's cuts agenda.

Nick Boles (Con, Grantham and Stamford) asked if Cameron will confirm that he will protect spending on the NHS.

Cameron said NHS spending won't be cut in real terms and that Labour has not given that commitment.

Nick Raynsford (Lab, Greenwich and Woolwich) criticised plans to alter security tenure for housing.

Cameron said the coalition's plans will lead to more social homes being built, but it does not actually involve changes to tenure.

Annette Brooke (Mid Dorset and North Poole) noted the urgent need for data on secondary breast cancer. She called on the prime minister to meet with the APPG on breast cancer.

Cameron agreed to meet the APPG and said further action is needed on early diagnosis.

Stephen Twigg (Lab, Liverpool, West Derby) reffered to the death of a constituent of his in Spain four years ago, noting that his body had just been returned to the UK for burial. He asked the Prime Minister to meet the parents to discuss how the law could be changed to prevent other families from going through this ordeal.

Cameron agreed that this was an important case, and recognised the loss of the family.

Duncan Hames (Lib Dem, Chippenham) asked if the prime minister agreed that if graduates have to contribute to the cost of their university education, those with the most money should pay the most.

Cameron said that he did agree and thought that most MPs in the Commons wanted the same thing. He called for all-party agreement on the need for "progressivity".

Virenda Sharma (Lab, Ealing Southall) called for the prime minister to agree that it made "no sense" to close the accident and emergency department at Ealing Hospital.

Cameron said the government wanted to place more power in the hands of patients and doctors.

Andrew Selous (Con, SW Bedforshire) said that many of his constituents were concerned about seeing young people given just a caution after an offence and no action being taken against the parents.

The prime minister agreed to look at the issue.

Jim Sheridan (Lab, Paisley and Renfrewshire N) called on the prime minister to join him in sending a "clear message to the management of British Airways that should the cabin crew decide to return to normal working, there will be no harassment, there will be no bullying but most importantly there will be no recriminations".

Cameron called on British Airways cabin crew to go back to work. He said: "I think the most important thing is this strike ends and that British Airways gets back to working properly."