PMQs: As-it-happened
Review this week’s unusual – and Gurkha-dominated – PMQs here.
This event is now over, but you can see how it developed below.
11:16 – After last week’s Budget excitement we’re back to PMQs being the main event on Wednesdays. Gordon Brown has had a tough time of it since then. After appearing, grinning, on YouTube to announce proposals on MP expenses he’s been forced into a humiliating retreat. The government is also under flak for its treatment of the Gurkhas – a vote is due later today. And then we’ve got – how could we forget – the economy, which – though taking a backstage step after last week – will nevertheless overshadow everything. Expect a mention or two.
11:58 – The chamber is almost full – just the Lib Dem benches are looking a little sparse – as this week’s PMQs looms. Paul Murphy is seeing off the last questions on Wales.
12:03 – And we’re away, with William Cash getting the first question in this time round. He asks about the prime minister’s “recent comedy turn on YouTube”. Brown says YouTube is an “important medium of communication”. Defiance appears a little bit misplaced.
12:04 – Swine flu is next. The PM confirms there are three further confirmed cases – two adults and a 12-year-old girl, all of whom had travelled recently from Mexico. They are not in danger. “I believe we are taking the preparations that are necessary and the precautions to prevent the incidents of diseases in this country,” he says.
12:06 – David Cameron opens with concern about swine flu. His tone is sincere, non-partisan, but he’s worried about flu line. Brown is “grateful for the opportunity to explain that”. Punch and Judy appear to have a runny nose. Brown’s frontbench look very serious, Alan Johnson especially doleful.
12:08 – “Clearly everyone will be concerned that without a flu line NHS Direct will be swamped,” Cameron responds thoughtfully. The chamber is quiet as Cameron asks another question on the same topic. He wants to know about facemasks, despite the fact Brown gave a pretty decent answer just beforehand. The PM is again “grateful”. On antevirals, he says the government is increasing its order from the 35 million we now have to 50 million. “We feel we are well-prepared at the moment,” he insists. On face masks, several more million are being ordered. They’re for NHS staff, of course. Backbenchers look a little bored, where’s the usual knockabout stuff?
12:13 – Will Cameron use up half of his six questions on swine flu? No, he turns to gurkhas. Some personal congratulations for Nick Clegg, Gurkha champion, are an unusual recognition. Cameron says the proposals Brown has put forward are “too restrictive”. There’s a three-line whip on this issue later, so Brown had better be careful what they say. The PM maintains the sober, quiet line by talking about swine flu. What about the Gurkhas, Gordon? He finally turns to them. “Let me just say since 1997 we have taken the first action to give justice to give justice to the Gurkhas.” Labour cheers. Six thousand have applied successfully since then to come to Britain, he says. Pension rights have been granted. And pension rights for those in Nepal have been doubled. There’s a balance to be struck here when it comes to finance, he says, claiming 10,000 Gurkha veterans and their families can enter. “The majority of the 4,000 who are coming into this country are below the rank of officer and the suggestion that has been made this is not the case is incorrect,” he insists, before promising a review. Sounds like another U-turn, perhaps – or an attempt to stave off defeat later.
12:15 – Cameron points out the campaigners think just 100 Gurkhas will be able to enter. He proposes his own solution – allowing settlement for ex-service personnel from overseas. Brown is unmoving. “The figures we have announced is 4,000, not 100,” he says. “I do not accept this figure of 100.” He says it will cost £1.4 billion to get the 4,000 into the UK. “I hope the House will recognise that while not everyone is satisfied with what we’ve done we’ve made progress and we can work through this in stages.”
12:17 – Cameron presses home the point, wanting an additional category added to the immigration system and saying the veterans gathered outside parliament disagree with his 4,000 figure. Brown is unimpressed. “I don’t hear him or the Liberal party saying the numbers involved.” There are 1,300 cases under review, he says, but promises their results will come by June 11th. “We are prepared to continue to review the situation for the future.”
12:18 – Martin Salter of the home affairs committee doesn’t let the Gurkha issue go away. What on earth has happened to expenses this week? He raises the case of a Gurkha constituent and asks the PM to be more specific on the review. Brown acknowledges Salter’s efforts on this issue and says he “sympathises” with the constituents’ case. He says further reviews will continue to be reviewed.
12:20 – The Lib Dems are in the bizarre position of having most of PMQs devoted to their pet issue. Nick Clegg says Brown’s answers on the Gurkha issue are “deeply, deeply evasive”. Labour MPs don’t like that. “How is it honest or decent to say that Gurkha soldiers.” . insert list of requirements here. “Can’t he see there is a simple moral principle at stake – if someone is prepared to die for their country, surely they should be allowed to live in this country.” Brown is forced into repetition. “I have been given the information that half of the 4,000 are below officer class.” We’ve heard that before. “We are taking the steps that are necessary.”
12:22 – Clegg: “What kind of answer is that? It’s the answer of a man who seems to know he’s doing a shameful thing but hasn’t got the guts to admit it or change it.” No principles, no courage, he alleges. This is strong stuff, and one of his strongest parliamentary performances in weeks. Brown is riled. “That is why we’ve taken the actions we have,” he says. He’s on the defensive. “Governments must always balance the need to take action in stages with the resources they have available. It may not be a problem he has to face, it is a problem we have to face.”
12:23 – Chris Mullin says the government is “strapped for cash” and raises the prospect of reviewing nuclear weapons as a way out of the mess. Brown’s response centres on non-proliferation. John Hutton twiddles his thumbs as he looks on.
12:24 – “Given that fiscal probity is now in vogue, why do we need a Labour government?” asks Spicer. Brown thumps out a series of bulletpoints in response.
12:25 – Richard Burden asks about LDV, the electric van maker (or at least it wants to be). Brown says “substantial talks” have been held.
12:26 – Anne Main asks about education funding. Tory backbenchers yell “answer”. Brown explains Labour’s contributions on this issue. But the Conservatives aren’t impressed. Main, her arms folded, looks petulant and unimpressed.
12:28 – Clive Efford is interrupted by Tory yelling as he asks about MPs’ expenses. He describes the opposition benches as “millionares’ row”. Brown says “MPs should remember the whole country is looking at our proceedings”. “I would have to say to all members who are shouting at this time that they should have some humility.” The high horse suits the PM, even if he’s had to climb down from it himself in recent days. He reels off a long list of all the issues to be voted on. There’s a glaring absence, of course.
12:29 – Sir Nicholas Winterton asks – who would have thought – a Gurkha question. Brown agrees the government “should be less restrictive”. Not sure what that question contributed after its dominance throughout this session.
12:30 – Askok Kumar wants to know what policies Brown can give to his chemical sector constituents. Brown gets in the “doing nothing” phrase in response. “We are ready to do more to help” small, medium and large-sized businesses.
12:32 – Groans as David Gauke raises the EU referendum issue. “In the German summit to discuss the constitution that was, they decided the constitutional concept should be abandoned,” Brown says. He regrets Ken Clarke’s absence – refers to him as a frontbencher – and says those who backed a referendum were “crackpot” and “daft”.
12:33 – Huge embarrassment for the prime minister, who – at the end of PMQs – tries to walk offstage left. Speaker Michael Martin kindly reminds him that he might want to make a statement about Afghanistan. The Tories scream with laughter. Jeers rain down on Brown as he attempts to compose himself. That was hideously awkward. Finally the Commons calms down, and the prime minister begins his Afghanistan statement.
12:39 – And that’s the end of a very unusual PMQs. Given the furore over MPs’ allowances it was extraordinary how little it was referred to. Instead it was Gurkha veterans who dominated. And with a vote due later, it’s clear what MPs’ minds are focused on. Clegg emerged with full marks; he, not Cameron, appeared the real leader of the opposition this week.
