The main points from prime minister's questions in the House of Commons on Wednesday, 23 May:
The main points from prime minister's questions in the House of Commons on Wednesday, 23 May:
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.
Answering a question about professional standards in the lobbying industry, Mr Blair said the government was awaiting the outcome of an investigation by the Public Administration Committee.
Answering a question about professional standards in the lobbying industry, Mr Blair said the government was awaiting the outcome of an investigation by the Public Administration Committee.
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.
Mr Cameron said over 40 NHS maternity units were "under threat," including five in Greater Manchester. "Would you advise the next Prime Minister to stop this closure programme and think again?" he demanded.
Mr Cameron said over 40 NHS maternity units were "under threat," including five in Greater Manchester. "Would you advise the next Prime Minister to stop this closure programme and think again?" he demanded.
Mr Blair said he would not halt the closure programme saying more money was being put 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 put 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 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 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 has completely collapsed?"
Mr Cameron said "I know the walls of the bunker are pretty thick, but hasn't he noticed this policy has completely collapsed?"
He added: "The prime minister told us he had so much to do in his dying weeks - yet Home Information Packs are in chaos. He set up a Minister of Justice without even telling his Lord Chancellor and he's doing nothing to stop the cuts, the closures and the plummeting moral in the health service. The chairman of the British Medical Association resigned on Sunday and will be leaving office Friday - isn't that an example the Prime Minister should follow?"
He added: "The prime minister told us he had so much to do in his dying weeks - yet Home Information Packs are in chaos. He set up a Minister of Justice without even telling his Lord Chancellor and he's doing nothing to stop the cuts, the closures and the plummeting moral in the health service. The chairman of the British Medical Association resigned on Sunday and will be leaving office Friday - isn't that an example the Prime Minister should follow?"
Mr Blair hit back, accusing the Tories of resurrecting arguments from the "stone age" over grammar schools and insisting that while Mr Cameron couldn't lead his party on this thorny issue, the government was getting on with taking key decisions.
Mr Blair hit back, accusing the Tories of resurrecting arguments from the "stone age" over grammar schools and insisting that while Mr Cameron couldn't lead his party on this thorny issue, the government was getting on with taking key decisions.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell sent his condolences to the family of the dead serviceman. He asked why Mr Blair was so "hell bent" on building a new generation of nuclear power plants.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell sent his condolences to the family of the dead serviceman. He asked why Mr Blair was so "hell bent" on building a new generation of nuclear power plants.
Mr Blair nuclear power had to be put on the agenda if Britain was to have secure energy supplies and reduce carbon emissions. He said wind farms alone were not enough to make up the energy shortfall.
Mr Blair said nuclear power had to be put on the agenda if Britain was to have secure energy supplies and reduce carbon emissions. He said wind farms alone were not enough to make up the energy shortfall.
Sir Menzies accused Mr Blair of disregarding concerns about risk, cost and toxic waste in relation to nuclear power.
Sir Menzies accused Mr Blair of disregarding concerns about risk, cost and toxic waste in relation to nuclear power.
Labour MP Gordon Prentice called on Mr Blair to move responsibility for constitutional watchdogs from Downing Street to Parliament. Mr Blair said it was an "interesting debate for the future. For the present I have no plans to change the decision."
Labour MP Gordon Prentice called on Mr Blair to move responsibility for constitutional watchdogs from Downing Street to Parliament. Mr Blair said it was an "interesting debate for the future. For the present I have no plans to change the decision."
Julian Lewis, Conservative, New Forest East, asked about plans to "mothball" six frigates and destroyers, saying the country needed 35 warships. Mr Blair said the government had increased defence spending and was putting a "huge" £14bn into new warships but it was being "spent differently".
Julian Lewis, Conservative, New Forest East, asked about plans to "mothball" six frigates and destroyers, saying the country needed 35 warships. Mr Blair said the government had increased defence spending and was putting a "huge" £14bn into new warships but it was being "spent differently".
