Briefing from the Prime Minister’s Spokesman on: Senator McCain/Iraq, China/Tibet, Bangladeshi Restaurateurs, Mayor of London and Misc
Senator McCain/Iraq
The Prime Minister’s Spokesman (PMS) began by telling the assembled journalists that Senator McCain had given a comprehensive press briefing following the meeting with the Prime Minister. They had had a wide-ranging and constructive discussion covering issues such as climate change, reform of the international institution and its development, the Middle East, the economy, Iraq and Afghanistan. The Prime Minister made clear, in particular, his commitment to the importance of the relationship with the United States, which he considered to be our most important bi-lateral relationship.
Asked how long the meeting lasted, the PMS replied that it lasted for approximately 45 minutes.
Asked if there had been a discussion concerning the continuing levels of British troops in Iraq and if the Prime Minister had any view on reducing troop numbers, the PMS replied that there was a general discussion of the situation in Iraq although they did not get into that particular issue. The Prime Minister had always been clear that he would be guided by military advice and conditions on the ground.
Asked if military advice was that the current number of troops would remain in Iraq for the foreseeable future, the PMS said that as and when there was any update on that the MoD would make an announcement.
Put that there had been talk of reductions in the Spring and that it was now Spring, the PMS replied that there was due to be another roulement later in the Spring, and in advance of that the MoD would make their detailed announcements. The key issue for the Prime Minister had always been that he should be guided by military advice and by conditions on the ground.
Put that Des Browne had received the Army Chiefs’ report last week and asked what would happen now, the PMS said that the journalist seemed to have quite a lot of detailed information about exactly what was going on inside the MoD; whether or not it was accurate remained to be seen. However, as and when the MoD was in a position to give an update it would.
Asked if the Prime Minister shared Senator McCain’s recent concerns about Basra, the PMS replied that he did not have much to add to what Senator McCain had already said following the meeting, which was obviously an accurate description of what happened in the meeting where he praised the work and dedication of British troops in Iraq.
China/Tibet
Asked if the Prime Minister could still meet with the Dalai Lama without causing an impact on our relationship with China, the PMS replied that the Prime Minister had been talking about this yesterday and that it had been gone over in detail during yesterday’s lobby briefing, so there was nothing further to say.
Asked if the Prime Minister endorsed yesterday’s views from Lord Malloch-Brown regarding Tibet and China, the PMS replied that the Prime Minister had expressed his views regarding Tibet and China yesterday.
Bangladeshi Restaurateurs
Asked if the Prime Minister shared the concerns of some Bangladeshi restaurateurs regarding visa restrictions hampering their ability to recruit workers, the PMS replied that we were introducing a new points system for immigration and that would take into account skills needs and skills shortages.
Asked if the Prime Minister had discussed this issue with the Chief Advisor of Bangladesh, the PMS replied that he would have to check.
Mayor of London
Asked if the Prime Minister would take onboard the Mayor’s views regarding the closure of post offices, the PMS replied that, as the Prime Minister had said yesterday, difficult decisions had to be taken in relation to the post office, reflecting the fact that demand for postal services was changing. There needed to be some post office closures to ensure the financial integrity of the network as a whole. We had invested a significant amount of extra money into Royal Mail in recent years but operational decisions about exactly which post offices were effected was a matter for Royal Mail, not the Government.
Asked if the Government could agree to the Mayor’s suggestions regarding airport expansions, the PMS replied that the journalist probably already knew the Prime Minister’s position concerning the third runway and probably knew it when he asked the question.
Asked if the Prime Minister would listen to the Mayor’s views regarding nuclear power, the PMS replied that this was another question to which the journalist probably knew the answer.
Misc
Asked if the Prime Minister took a view regarding city traders spreading malicious gossip, the PMS replied that the Financial Services Authority was conducting an investigation into that so there was nothing we could say at this point.
Asked if the Prime Minister took a view regarding renaming the House of Lords as the Senate, the PMS said that there would be a White Paper on House of Lords reform, which was due before the summer recess, and it was best to wait for that.
Asked if the Prime Minister appreciated the level of concern regarding the paedophile Raymond Horne, the PMS said that journalists would have seen the Home Office’s statement on this this morning saying that he would be treated in accordance with standard procedures. The Home Office had said that they believed that this individual would be eligible for a notification order. The Sexual Offences Act, which was introduced in 2003, introduced this new civil order designed to ensure that those convicted of sex offences overseas were made to sign on the sex offenders’ register on their return to the UK.
Asked what the Prime Minister would discuss with the King of Bahrain, the PMS replied that they would discuss regional issues, Middle East and development matters.
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