PMQs as-it-happened
11:46 – Welcome back. PMQs kicks off in 13 minutes. The topic will surely be the AstraZeneca Pfizer. It's a corporate takeover story, which might usually be expected to stay on the business pages. But journos got back to work all bleary eyed yesterday and there wasn't much around, so it got blown up to a more substantial story than would otherwise have been the case. Business secretary Vince Cable says that under the terms of the 2002 Enterprise Act he only has powers to intevene in deals involving defence or media companies or those that threatened financial stability. Labour want science and research and development added to that criteria. But Cable has raised the possibility of checking the deal on the basis of the national interest – despite warning this was no small move. Ed Miliband will probably try to suggest that Downing Street is cheering a deal which would do nothing for British industry but pour its funds into American corporate pockets. Or he could talk about something else altogether. We shall see.
12:01 – Everyone's in. Kick off any moment now.
12:02 – And we're off. Mel Stride, Tory, asks about the kidnapped school girls. What are we doing to help? Cameron offers nothing particularly concrete.
12:04 – Miliband avoids the deal in the end and mentions his rent proposal. How long before the PM goes from branding them socialism to a good idea? Cameron says if the proposal is for rent controls which have been shown to fail, it's a bad idea, but other policies could be tolerable. "Even by his standards this is a quick U-turn," Miliband counters. "Last week the chairman of the Tory party was saying this was all back to Venezuela. But the communities secretary supports these proposals. How are we going to make it happen?"
12:05 – Cameron trades disparaging quotes from Labour's housing minister and local communities. "A Labour policy – the one thing that is clear, Labour MPs don't back it." Miliband replies: "All he's shown is he has no idea about this incredibly important issue facing our country." He repeats his proposal for fixed three year tenancies. What is wrong with that? Miliband doing quite well. Cameron says we need to build more houses.He is the prime minister, he could do that.
12:08 – Cameron says this is all the product of the unions. "Their policies are for rent, their candidates are for rent and their leader is for rent". Miliband stays seated, so he's splitting his questions. Maybe the takeover will come up.
12:10 – Tony Baldry, Con, says Ukip are based on "fear of the world, fear of the foreigner… if anyone comes to my constituency and goes to hospital or building sites they will see the great contribution made to our communities by fellow EU citizens". It's brave for a Tory to make that point. No support from the people beside him.
12:11 – Miliband goes on the takeover. He says there is deep concern. He quotes Cable not ruling out intervention. What type of intervention is being considered? Cameron says the intervention is to back British science. Meaningless. He says he asked his ministers to engage with both companies. Miliband says there needs to be a proper assessment. This can be done straight away throught the Commons and Labour will support him. Will he agree to it?
12:13 – Cameron points out there is no offer on the table. "I know he thinks he's extremely clever" – a joke on an interview Miliband gave in which he said he was smarter than Cameron. The PM highlights successful global investment and urges us not to put it at risk. "This is about something very straightforward," Miliband replies, "having an independent assessment of this bid and whether it's in the national interest." Will he rule it out or in?
12:14 – "I think it's deeply sad that he makes accusations about cheerleading when the government was getting stuck in protecting British jobs," Cameron says. He attacks Labour's record in government ("We will never take lectures from the people who wrecked our economy"). It has no connectio to the question, of course. Cameron actually seemed so dispirited he could barely be bothered to finish.
12:16 – Snap verdict: Miliband 2 Cameron 1. Miliband did nothing spectacular here but his positions were firm: he was clear and moderate on both topics and forced Cameron to appear slippery and uncertain. The PM did not slip up, but his reliance on 'fixing Labour's mess' rhetoric showed the leader of the opposition was on the front foot.
12:21 – Ann Clwyd, Lab, brings up Syria. Hundreds of thousands dying. "What on earth are we doing about it?" Cameron says we're second bilateral aid donor. Silence in the House. It's hard to get aid in, he says. A disappointing answer. Andrew Griffiths, Con, says it's a disgrace that Victoria Crosses lie in disrepair. He wants "fitting memorials for the bravest of the brave".
12:23 – Emma Lewell-Buck, Lab. I'm not sure I've ever seen this person before. She asks about the bedroom tax. Cameron offers half truths about disability funds. Kevan Jones, Lab, asks why mental health patients should have to travel 200 miles to access a bed. Cameron talks about parity of esteem with mental and physical health. He's put in talking therapy targets. We shouldn't rely on beds as a test. Convincing answer from the PM.
12:27 – Hazel Blears congratulates the PM on his alzheimer's badge – I didn't recognise it. She complains about zero hours contracts from those doing care in the UK. Cameron says it's an issue for local councils. He says no meaningful work can be done in these 15 minute visits.
12:31 – Don't worry – nearly over now. Chris White, Con, wants the PM to "pay tribute" to all sorts of things. He's really holding the executive to account.
12:32 – Simon Burns, Con, says the service sector grew at its fastest level and we must stick to…. "the long term economic plan". Christ. You can't avoid it. All PMQs is is a series of interruptions for Tory MPs to say whatever the whips tell them. There's a bit of tension as Bercow and Cameron trade chilly jokes about how long PMQs lasts. Burns is a prime Bercow baiter, so when Cameron expressed his surprise that he was called Bercow looked somewhat miffed.
12:36 – It is going on a bit. The session is five minutes over time. There hasn't been that much rowdiness. This is Bercow Times. Julian Huppert gets the last question. He asks pertinent questions about the takeover and the impact on the patent box. Cameron admits we should be "incredibly hard headed about this".
12:38 – And we're done. Cheers for reading. See you next week.
