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Prime minister's questionsPrime minister's questions
By Jon Kelly 1228 Tory MP Alistair Burt says the government's decision to take away responsibility for ruling on gypsy camps from local government to regional authorities is causing "intense concern" and damaging community relations. Mr Brown promises to examine the issue. By Jon Kelly
I spent 30 yrs in the Armed Forces and the last 8 yrs working for a support services company at an RAF base. All of our politicians are wrong about Afghanistan. We don,t have enough of the right equipment, nor manpowe, and far to many senior officers who know that but are only interseted in their own careers and big and I mean big, fat pensions.michaell, oxford
1237 Back in the Daily Politics studio, ex-defence secretary John Hutton says the government has acted on military advice to get more kit to Afghanistan all the way through the campaign. "The kit is better than it's ever been," he says, "but there's no finishing line".
1234 And that's it over. No-one can be surprised that Afghanistan dominated today's PMQs.
1234 From BBC political correspondent Reeta Chakrabarti:
Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg is clearly trying to carve an image for himself as an honest plain-speaker. But his bluntness provoked anger in the Chamber when he accused Gordon Brown of "fiddling the figures," and then asked "who he thought he was kidding" by claiming to be an agent of change. Mr Brown responded with a dismissive tone. But Nick Clegg's unvarnished approach is becoming something of a permanent fixture.
1232 Tory Julian Lewis says the government is underfunding the Ministry of Defence. Mr Brown says the government's defence budget is the second largest in the world.
1230 Labour MP Julie Morgan calls on the prime minister to "show a vote in confidence in young people" by lowering the voting age to 16. Mr Brown says the Youth Parliament will meet in the Commons chamber over the summer.
1228 Tory MP Alistair Burt says the government's decision to take away responsibility for ruling on gypsy camps from local government to regional authorities is causing "intense concern" and damaging community relations. Mr Brown promises to examine the issue.
1228 From BBC political correspondent Reeta Chakrabarti: Afghanistan was the only topic for David Cameron - with the row over helicopter numbers, and mission creep continuing. The exchange between him and the prime minister started soberly enough - but escalated as Mr Cameron called the original objectives in Afghanistan "lofty and vague" and as Gordon Brown accused the Opposition leader of failing to provide suitable support. One feature was the length of both questions and answers from the two - 19 minutes or two-thirds of the session spent on the exchange between them - prompting the Speaker to ask them to be more brief. Mr Cameron obliged. The Prime Minister remained focused on ensuring he got his message across.1225 "Comrade leader", begins a question from Labour MP Ian Davidson about shipbuilding. Is the death of New Labour truly on us at last?1228 From BBC political correspondent Reeta Chakrabarti: Afghanistan was the only topic for David Cameron - with the row over helicopter numbers, and mission creep continuing. The exchange between him and the prime minister started soberly enough - but escalated as Mr Cameron called the original objectives in Afghanistan "lofty and vague" and as Gordon Brown accused the Opposition leader of failing to provide suitable support. One feature was the length of both questions and answers from the two - 19 minutes or two-thirds of the session spent on the exchange between them - prompting the Speaker to ask them to be more brief. Mr Cameron obliged. The Prime Minister remained focused on ensuring he got his message across.1225 "Comrade leader", begins a question from Labour MP Ian Davidson about shipbuilding. Is the death of New Labour truly on us at last?
1223 Mr Brown hits back: the opposition, he says, have "no policies for jobs, no policies to tackle the recession".1223 Mr Brown hits back: the opposition, he says, have "no policies for jobs, no policies to tackle the recession".
1221 Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg accuses the prime minister of dragging his feet on parliamentary reform. "People are crying out for change but we have a prime minister who is busy doing nothing," Mr Clegg says.1221 Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg accuses the prime minister of dragging his feet on parliamentary reform. "People are crying out for change but we have a prime minister who is busy doing nothing," Mr Clegg says.
1218 The prime minister says helicopters need to be adapted for the terrain in Afghanistan. He insists that UK forces are "better equipped than ever before".1218 The prime minister says helicopters need to be adapted for the terrain in Afghanistan. He insists that UK forces are "better equipped than ever before".
1218 Speaker John Bercow interrupts to say he has noted Mr Cameron's long questions and Mr Brown's lengthy answers. He asks them to keep it brief as he wants to hear from backbenchers, but the Tory leader says bereaved military families need to hear "responsible questions". He asks why Mr Brown isn't displaying "greater urgency" getting helicopters into the field.1218 Speaker John Bercow interrupts to say he has noted Mr Cameron's long questions and Mr Brown's lengthy answers. He asks them to keep it brief as he wants to hear from backbenchers, but the Tory leader says bereaved military families need to hear "responsible questions". He asks why Mr Brown isn't displaying "greater urgency" getting helicopters into the field.
1214 Mr Brown insists that the number of helicopters has gone up by 60% and more are due to arrive this year. "What we need on the ground is more Afghan forces," he says, adding that he is working with Afghan President Karzai to deliver this.1214 Mr Brown insists that the number of helicopters has gone up by 60% and more are due to arrive this year. "What we need on the ground is more Afghan forces," he says, adding that he is working with Afghan President Karzai to deliver this.
1212 Mr Cameron continues on the same topic. "If you want to move more troops around the battlefield you need more helicopters," he says. He says the government did not plan for them.1212 Mr Cameron continues on the same topic. "If you want to move more troops around the battlefield you need more helicopters," he says. He says the government did not plan for them.
1210 Mr Brown hits back at Mr Cameron's accusation that British troops do not have enough helicopters in Afghanistan. The prime insists "we have done everything we can to increase the number of helicopters" and says the recent deaths were not the result of a lack of helicopters.1210 Mr Brown hits back at Mr Cameron's accusation that British troops do not have enough helicopters in Afghanistan. The prime insists "we have done everything we can to increase the number of helicopters" and says the recent deaths were not the result of a lack of helicopters.
1208 Conservative leader David Cameron says the government needs to show "greater urgency" on its Afghanistan strategy if it is to succeed. He says the government needs an "even tighter definition" of its aims - not to build the "most perfect democracy" but to prevent terrorism.1208 Conservative leader David Cameron says the government needs to show "greater urgency" on its Afghanistan strategy if it is to succeed. He says the government needs an "even tighter definition" of its aims - not to build the "most perfect democracy" but to prevent terrorism.
1203 Tory MP John Maples suggests the prime minister does not have a "clear strategy" in Afghanistan. Mr Brown says ministers are determined to ensure that terrorism does not "hit the streets of Britain" again.1203 Tory MP John Maples suggests the prime minister does not have a "clear strategy" in Afghanistan. Mr Brown says ministers are determined to ensure that terrorism does not "hit the streets of Britain" again.
1202 We're off with a question about Afghanistan kicking off the last PMQs before the long summer break.1202 We're off with a question about Afghanistan kicking off the last PMQs before the long summer break.
1157 From BBC political correspondent Reeta Charkabarti: It's the last bout of weekly verbal fisticuffs for this term - and David Cameron could go for a variety of topics over which to try and land his blows. Afghanistan and troop numbers remains high on the list of possible questions, with reports that military leaders asked for significant reinforcements which they didn't get. Unemployment could be another area. With the figures hitting nearly 2.4 million, talk of recovery Mr Cameron could say, would seem premature. Or he could focus on Lord Mandelson's comments yesterday that there will be constraints on public spending over the next ten years. Is that a chink between him and the prime minister? If so, the Tory leader is sure to want to prise it open.1157 From BBC political correspondent Reeta Charkabarti: It's the last bout of weekly verbal fisticuffs for this term - and David Cameron could go for a variety of topics over which to try and land his blows. Afghanistan and troop numbers remains high on the list of possible questions, with reports that military leaders asked for significant reinforcements which they didn't get. Unemployment could be another area. With the figures hitting nearly 2.4 million, talk of recovery Mr Cameron could say, would seem premature. Or he could focus on Lord Mandelson's comments yesterday that there will be constraints on public spending over the next ten years. Is that a chink between him and the prime minister? If so, the Tory leader is sure to want to prise it open.
1156 Could the government have saved the lives of UK service personnel in Afghanistan? John Hutton insists extra helicopters could not have saved the lives of many of those killed in recent days. But David Davis agrees with a suggestion that the government has "blood on its hands" and Sir Menzies says senior military figures have been "deeply unhappy" about the lack of resources for years.1156 Could the government have saved the lives of UK service personnel in Afghanistan? John Hutton insists extra helicopters could not have saved the lives of many of those killed in recent days. But David Davis agrees with a suggestion that the government has "blood on its hands" and Sir Menzies says senior military figures have been "deeply unhappy" about the lack of resources for years.
1155 Talk in the studio turns to the environment and John Hutton - who arrived a bit late for the show - says nuclear power is needed to cut the UK's carbon emissions. David Davis agrees: "Of course it's going to be expensive, but so is wind power." Sir Menzies says that if the government needs to exercise the "precautionary principle" in its efforts against climate change.1155 Talk in the studio turns to the environment and John Hutton - who arrived a bit late for the show - says nuclear power is needed to cut the UK's carbon emissions. David Davis agrees: "Of course it's going to be expensive, but so is wind power." Sir Menzies says that if the government needs to exercise the "precautionary principle" in its efforts against climate change.
1154 On Daily Politics David Davis has defended the decision to take away the Conservative whip from MEP Edward McMillan-Scott, who defied party orders after opposing the Tories' decision to form a new group in the European parliament. But Sir Menzies Campbell for the Lib Dems says the Conservatives' new allies at Brussels and Strasbourg are a "rag tag and bobtail" outfit.1154 On Daily Politics David Davis has defended the decision to take away the Conservative whip from MEP Edward McMillan-Scott, who defied party orders after opposing the Tories' decision to form a new group in the European parliament. But Sir Menzies Campbell for the Lib Dems says the Conservatives' new allies at Brussels and Strasbourg are a "rag tag and bobtail" outfit.
1150 Hello and welcome to our live coverage of prime minister's questions. We'll be starting off with analysis and commentary from the Daily Politics, where former Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell, Labour ex-cabinet minister John Hutton and former Conservative leadership contender David Davis are in the studio. They'll be joined by none other than Strictly Come Dancing judge Arlene Phillips. Hot topics this week? The government's strategy in Afghanistan is surely bound to come up following the deaths of 15 UK soldiers this month. With Climate and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband due to launch the government's Carbon Transition Plan, expect the environment to feature as well. And it's hard to imagine a PMQs these days that doesn't involve Labour and the Conservatives accusing each other of dishonesty over spending.1150 Hello and welcome to our live coverage of prime minister's questions. We'll be starting off with analysis and commentary from the Daily Politics, where former Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell, Labour ex-cabinet minister John Hutton and former Conservative leadership contender David Davis are in the studio. They'll be joined by none other than Strictly Come Dancing judge Arlene Phillips. Hot topics this week? The government's strategy in Afghanistan is surely bound to come up following the deaths of 15 UK soldiers this month. With Climate and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband due to launch the government's Carbon Transition Plan, expect the environment to feature as well. And it's hard to imagine a PMQs these days that doesn't involve Labour and the Conservatives accusing each other of dishonesty over spending.