----------------- ----------------- |  | | Last Updated: Wednesday, 9 June, 2004, 12:58 GMT 13:58 UK |
Prime Minister's Questions
|  Mr Prescott worries about the preponderance of fish in politics |
John Prescott stood in for Tony Blair as the prime minister attends the G8 economic summit, then Ronald Reagan's funeral in the US. He started procedings with his sympathies over the recent death of Jim Marshall, the MP for Leicester South. Deputy opposition leader Michael Ancram added condolences over former President Ronald Reagan. Mr Prescott attracted criticism as he conceded to the Republican leader's achievements. But the Liberal Democrat's deputy, Menzies Campbell, gave more measured respect for that period in US politics. Questions Ken Purchase (Wolverhampton North East, Labour) pointed out the absence of a BNP candidate in his constituency and called for the electorate to rid the country of racism.
The deputy prime minister added his voice to the plea. Michael Ancram (Devizes, Conservative) joined in the condolences and also offered his sympathies about Ronald Reagan. He wondered if Mr Prescott felt there had been an error of judgement over the issue of postal voting. He went on to give examples of undelivered ballot papers and dubious practices.
The deputy prime minister gave some credit to Ronald Reagan for reducing the threat of WMDs. He said that reports so far showed an increased turn-out and he refuted the allegations malpractice and poor administration made, and this year's scheme .Gordon Prentice (Pendle, Labour)asked if the UK needed more single sex Muslim schools.
The deputy prime minister said certain local authorities had made that decision and it was within their remit to do so. Menzies Campbell (Fife North East, Liberal Democrat) joined in the condolences. He asked about the debt of African countries in relation to writing off the debt of Iraq and whether there would be progress on this at he G8 summit. He went on to question the content of the latest UN resolution on Iraq, which mentions neither the Iraq Survey Group nor WMDs
The deputy prime minister said African debt was distinct from the Iraq debt. On the question of WMDs Mr Prescott said that should await the findings of the Iraq Survey Group. Gwyn Prosser (Dover, Labour) was concerned about a lack of job increases from the changed tax policies in shipping.
The deputy prime minister said the new policies had revived the British fleet and improved training for commercial naval officers. Michael Ancram (Devizes, Conservative) questioned government policy on Europe in the light of a European Socialists' document signed by the minister for Europe supporting increased powers to the EU on tax and other policies.
The deputy prime minister claimed the government's policy on Europe was clear and not reflected in the document referred to. He railed against the Conservatives for focusing on Europe in the light of the profile of the UK Independence Party. Ivan Henderson (Harwich, Labour) was concerned about British shipping companies not employing British ratings.
The deputy prime minister denied this was the case and said he had been involved in encouraging the employment of British citizens in British shipping. Desmond Swayne (New Forest West) wanted to know when the government would improve the provision of NHS dentists.
The deputy prime minister acknowledged the concern, from personal experience but blamed Conservative cuts on the shortfalls and listed the improvements since 1997. Michael Connarty (Falkirk East, Labour) asked for ex-gratia payments to the families of haemophilia sufferers.
The deputy prime minister said he was not aware of the specific point and he would have to look into it.John Maples (Stratford-on-Avon, Conservative) asked which issues were being used to rebuild the North Atlantic Alliance over Iraq.
The deputy prime minister said he would leave it to the prime minister to make these announcements, since he was actively involved in the plans. Meg Munn (Sheffield Heeley, Labour) pointed out the improvements in the NHS under Labour.
The deputy prime minister credited the developments in healthcare and how it does take time for these to be revealed. Henry Bellingham (Norfolk North West, Conservative) drew attention to the possibility of the closure of the Neighbourhood Watch Schemes.
The prime minister asserted the good work done by the Schemes and credited the Labour Government's achievements in cutting crime by increasing police numbers. Jim Sheridan (West Renfrewshire) raised the matter of redundancies in the UK in the light of moves abroad for cheap labour.
The deputy prime minister claimed his government had increased the number of jobs in Scotland - with the help and had implemented other employment schemes to alleviate problems of unemployment.John Greenway (Ryedale, Conservative) asked if North Yorkshire would keep its two-tier local government if the regional referendum there returned a no vote.
The prime minister said there would be no change to local government if there was a 'no vote'. Laura Moffatt (Crawley, Labour) sought assurances over cuts in health spending in her constituency.
The prime minister acknowledged the importance of the concern and said the secretary of state for health was attending to it. James Paice (Cambridgeshire South East, Conservative) wondered if members of the Labour Party were not contesting local council seats they currently hold in his constituency because of Mr Prescott's planning decisions to build on greenbelt land.
The prime minister pointed out there were more Labour candidates than Conservative, across the country. He went on to explain the need to provide affordable housing for people.You can watch prime minister's questions on Wednesday 9 June and throughout that night.
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PMQs: 9 June 2004
PMQs: 28 April 2004