Brown misses PMQs for Zuma visit

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/8543254.stm

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Gordon Brown will miss prime minister's questions on Wednesday because of the state visit by South African President Jacob Zuma, it has been announced.

Mr Brown's spokesman said he would have to join the Queen in greeting Mr Zuma on his arrival in London.

Commons leader Harriet Harman will take the prime minister's place at the 30-minute question-and-answer session.

Mr Zuma is visiting the UK for three days from Wednesday and will take part in talks in Downing Street on Thursday.

Mr Brown's spokesman said: "State visits always have a key role for the prime minister in the ceremony.

"These things are timed to precision. The prime minister will be expected - and would expect - to be on Horse Guards as the state visit ceremony starts."

Zimbabwe is likely to be high on the agenda for Thursday's talks, as well as climate change, the global economy and the football World Cup, which South Africa is hosting this summer and England hopes to host in 2018.