ePolitix.com: PMQs briefing

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Libya, Japan and the economy were among the questions asked by backbench MPs at prime minister's questions today.

Gregg McClymont (Lab, Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East) asked about progress on work by the previous government to put in place compensation scheme for victims of terrorist crimes overseas.

The prime minister said this is something the government is working on and "wants to get right" He said proposals will be brought forward shortly.

Sir Malcom Rifkind (Con, Kensington) asked about the no-fly zone in Libya. He said Egypt should be encouraged to send troops into the east of the country to stop the Gaddafi regime in its tracks.

Cameron said the UK has tabled a draft resolution at the UN over Libya including provision for a no-fly zone. Cameron noted that at the UN there are a "wide range of views". He said he would urge people to take the right steps to bring some leadership on this issue.

Gavin Williamson (Con, South Staffordshire) asked if the PM had seen recent comments from the Labour public accounts committee chair Margaret Hodge about NHS productivity, suggesting it had been in continuous decline for the past decade. He called for assurance that this trend will be reversed.

The prime minister said the "Labour dominated" PAC had said the NHS for the past decade had been in almost continuous decline. He said not even the EU average was being reached on cancer outcomes.

Angus Robertson (SNP, Moray) said unemployment is down in Scotland but up in the rest of the UK. He called for fuel duty not to rise and argued this could damage the recovery.

Cameron said the figures released today were a "mixed picture" and that employment was up and the number of claimants nationwide was now down. In terms of fuel duty, he knew the pain people were feeling, due to the increases put in place by the Labour government.

Nigel Adams (Con, Selby and Ainsty) highlighted a local traveller site. He asked what can be done to remove the top down traveller site targets.

Cameron said the government was abolishing these targets. Instead the local government would decide on these, in consultation with local communities.

Gordon Marsden (Lab, Blackpool South) asked why the prime minister intends on scrapping the DLA mobility component.

Cameron said the question of mobility will be placed in the DLA reforms. He said the plans will "sort out doubly-counting" and address mobility.

Stephen Phillips (Con, Sleaford and North Hykeham) asked about the "mess" Labour got the economy into, he noted the support from credit rating agencies that had approved the UK's deficit reduction plans.

Cameron said he felt it right to heed the credit rating agency Fitch which had recently re-established the UK’s triple A rating.

Jim Cunningham (Lab, Coventry South) called for action to help elderly people affected by homes closures.

Cameron said a minister will look at the issue.

Jo Swinson (Lib Dem, East Dunbartonshire) said the international community must not fail to oust Colonel Gaddafi.

Cameron said every world leader has said Gaddafi should go and his regime is illegitimate and that is why it is right for Britain to play its leading role at the UN and elsewhere. He added that a no-fly zone is a vital step towards ending his regime.

Steve McCabe (Lab, Birmingham, Selly Oak) asked the prime minister: "Do you have any sense of the current mood of bewilderment and betrayal felt by rank and file police officers?"

Cameron said he supports the British police, calling them "the finest force in the world". But he added it is necessary to have the pay freeze and to look at the allowances received.

Matthew Hancock (Con, West Suffolk) called for an investigation into a double murder in his constituency.

Cameron offered his assurances and said he thinks the police will do all they can to get to the bottom of this crime.

Lindsay Roy (Lab, Glenrothes) sent his condolences to Japan and asked about reports that a rescue team had been turned away.

Cameron said there was an extra independent rescue team that did not have the correct documentation and that action was being taken to ensure they can get into Japan.

Stuart Andrew (Con, Pudsey) used the fact that tickets for London 2012 were no on sale to draw an analogy between athletics and the Alternative Vote. He said under AV the winner of a race could end up with the bronze medal.

Cameron said ther was "clearly support for the no campaign on both sides of the House" and that he was sure that there are also those who support the yes campaign, "so we should have this argument out in the country and make arguments like that".

On the Olympics, the prime minister said he hoped that "as many people as possible" will be able to get to see the Olympics.

Nick Smith (Lab, Blaenau Gwent) highlighted the military covenant, the said the Royal British Legion had argued the armed forces bill does not honour this pledge.

Cameron said he was speaking with RBL on the issue. He said it is best the covenant is not a "static document" so that it can take into account a change in needs.

Bernard Jenkin (Con, Harwich and North Essex) criticised those calling for the AV system and quoted Labour's yes campaigner Ben Bradshaw's past criticism of AV.

Cameron said he can't really add anything to that.

Gareth Thomas (Lab, Harrow West) called on the government to consider the case for the re-mutualisation of Northern Rock.

The prime minister said the government would consider the possible re-mutualisation of Northern Rock.

Robert Halfon (Con, Harlow) asked the prime minister if it was wrong for British universities to engage with Libya.

Cameron said universities would have to ask some "pretty searching questions" of themselves over money received from Libya's Colonel Gaddafi

Kelvin Hopkins (Lab, Luton North) compared Cameron to US President Herbert Hoover and Labour leader, Ed Miliband, to Franklin Roosevelt.

Cameron said he preferred to listen to the head of the OECD who said dealing with the deficit was the best way of managing the economy.

James Gray (Con, North Wiltshire) asked about "Royal" Wootton Bassett. He said: "Will the prime minister now lead the people of Carterton in his own constituency in filling the place which they filled?"

The prime minister said the title is thoroughly deserved.

Jonathan Edwards (Plaid, Carmarthen East and Dinefwr) asked for confirmation that the reforms of the Barnett formula would be a cornerstone to the way that Wales was funded.

Cameron said the government was looking into this but because the spending reduction in Wales was less than in England, the difference in spending could be even bigger than it was today.

Simon Wright (Lib Dem, Norwich South) reffered to the end child poverty campaign and said 30 per cent of children in Norwich were living in poverty. He called on the prime minister to ensure a cross government response to deliver greater social mobility.

Cameron said he is determined to tackle child poverty and said underlying causes, such as worklessness and family breakdown must be tackled.

Rushanara Ali (Lab, Bethnal Green and Bow) highlighted the 'stairway for heaven' memorial campaign for the 1943 East London tube disaster.

The prime minister said he would look carefully at the request.

Damian Collins (Con, Folkestone and Hythe) asked: "Would you agree with me that nuclear power stations in the UK, like Dungeness in my constituency, have an excellent safety record and that new nuclear power will be an important part of our energy needs in the future?"

Cameron said the UK had neither the same reactor designs nor the seismically significant area as Japan. But the government would learn the lessons of the emergency there.

Gemma Doyle (Lab, West Dunbartonshire) called for tribute to be paid to all of those who lost their lives in the 1941 Clydebank blitz.

Cameron joined the MP in paying tribute.