The main points from prime minister's questions in the House of Commons on Wednesday, 23 May from 1200 BST:
The main points from prime minister's questions in the House of Commons on Wednesday, 23 May from 1200 BST:
Prime Minister Tony Blair said the UK was making progress on its commitment to Millennium development goals and the target of halving poverty but more needed to be done - and he hoped "those efforts would come to fruition" at the upcoming G8 summit.
Prime Minister Tony Blair said the UK was making progress on its commitment to Millennium development goals and the target of halving poverty but more needed to be done - and he hoped "those efforts would come to fruition" at the upcoming G8 summit.
Andrew George, Lib Dem, St Ives, asked if the G8 leaders would "ever live up to the hopes of their people".
Andrew George, Lib Dem, St Ives, asked if the G8 leaders would "ever live up to the hopes of their people".
Mr Blair said that as result of last year's G8 summit debt had been slashed for many African countries and he said "we should be proud of what this country has achieved in relation to the Millennium development goals".
Mr Blair said that as result of last year's G8 summit debt had been slashed for many African countries and he said "we should be proud of what this country has achieved in relation to the Millennium development goals".
Graham Allen, Labour, Nottingham North, asked about an "early intervention" programme in his constituency to help disadvantaged families.
Graham Allen, Labour, Nottingham North, asked about an "early intervention" programme in his constituency to help disadvantaged families.
Mr Blair hailed the Nottingham programme and said recent government policy would "make a real difference to child poverty".
Mr Blair hailed the Nottingham programme and said recent government policy would "make a real difference to child poverty".
Simon Burns, Conservative, Chelmsford West, asked about the link between dyslexia and criminality.
Simon Burns, Conservative, Chelmsford West, asked about the link between dyslexia and criminality.
Mr Blair said the government was investigating the link between learning disabilities and criminality - and how early intervention could help.
Mr Blair said the government was investigating the link between learning disabilities and criminality - and how early intervention could help.
Mr Blair sent his condolences to the family of a serviceman killed in Iraq this week.
Mr Blair sent his condolences to the family of a serviceman killed in Iraq this week.
Tory leader David Cameron also sent his condolences to the family of servicemen.
Tory leader David Cameron also sent his condolences to the family of servicemen.
He asked Mr Blair about closure of maternity wards.
He asked Mr Blair about closure of maternity wards.
Mr Blair said he would not halt the closure programme saying more money was being into maternity care and it needed to be modernised. He quoted a survey saying 90% of people were satisfied with it.
Mr Blair said he would not halt the closure programme saying more money was being into maternity care and it needed to be modernised. He quoted a survey saying 90% of people were satisfied with it.
Mr Blair said the government was being advised by experts who said the changes were needed. He said waiting lists were coming down in key areas. He accused Mr Cameron of wanting to scrap waiting lists. He said the Tory leader's words "may get him a round of applause from certain parts of the medical profession" but would not be welcomed by patients.
Mr Blair said the government was being advised by experts who said the changes were needed. He said waiting lists were coming down in key areas. He accused Mr Cameron of wanting to scrap all targets in the NHS. He said the Tory leader's words "may get him a round of applause from certain parts of the medical profession" but would not be welcomed by patients.
Mr Cameron quoted the head of the Royal College of Nursing saying of the NHS changes: "I have never seen so much money being wasted." He rounded on health secretary Patricia Hewitt, asking Mr Blair if he would advise his successor Gordon Brown to "keep her in post."
Mr Cameron quoted the head of the Royal College of Nursing saying of the NHS changes: "I have never seen so much money being wasted." He rounded on health secretary Patricia Hewitt, asking Mr Blair if he would advise his successor Gordon Brown to "keep her in post."
Mr Blair said it was a matter for his successor. He accused Mr Cameron of wanting to scrap all NHS targets, adding the government would one day abolish all waiting lists.
Mr Blair said it was a matter for his successor. He accused Mr Cameron of wanting to scrap all NHS targets, adding the government would one day abolish all waiting lists.
Mr Cameron said Mr Blair had "hung his health secretary out to dry". He accused Ms Hewitt of being a "lame duck" health secretary. He also attacked the housing minister over home information packs, saying she should be sacked.
Mr Cameron said Mr Blair had "hung his health secretary out to dry". He accused Ms Hewitt of being a "lame duck" health secretary. He also attacked the housing minister over home information packs, saying she should be sacked.
Mr Blair accused Mr Cameron of gesture politics.
Mr Blair accused Mr Cameron of gesture politics.
Mr Cameron asked "what on earth" the housing minister was still doing in her job.
Mr Cameron asked "what on earth" the housing minister was still doing in her job.
Mr Blair said it was "sensible" to make the changes to the energy performance certificate that have caused the delay to the introduction of the information packs.
Mr Blair said it was "sensible" to make the changes to the energy performance certificate that have caused the delay to the introduction of the information packs.
Mr Cameron said "I know the walls of the bunker are pretty thick, but hasn't he noticed this policy is dead in the water?"
Mr Cameron said "I know the walls of the bunker are pretty thick, but hasn't he noticed this policy has completely collapsed?"
Listing what he said were recent government failures, he called on Mr Blair to leave office immediately.
Listing what he said were recent government failures, he called on Mr Blair to leave office immediately.
