The main points from prime minister's questions in the House of Commons on Wednesday, 13 June:
The main points from prime minister's questions in the House of Commons on Wednesday, 13 June:
Prime Minister Tony Blair began his third last prime minister's question time by paying tribute to members of British armed forces and Luton police officer Jon Henry who have been died in the past week.
Prime Minister Tony Blair began his third last prime minister's question time by paying tribute to members of British armed forces and Luton police officer Jon Henry who have been died in the past week.
Mr Blair hailed what he called the forthcoming "effective end to waiting in the health service".
Mr Blair hailed what he called the forthcoming "effective end to waiting in the health service".
Conservative leader David Cameron asked how Tony Blair could be surprised there was cynicism about him given the way the issue of a Sarah's law had been floated. He said Mr Blair was being "disgraceful" on the issue again today. The tabloid headlines were about plans for chemical castration, but the home secretary's radio interview revealed it was just about giving offenders "Prozac pills", he said.
Conservative leader David Cameron asked how Tony Blair could be surprised there was cynicism about him given the way the issue of a Sarah's law had been floated.
He said: "For months the Government has been briefing the tabloid newspapers that they would introduce Sarah's law. The headlines reported 'stunning victory' and 'Sarah's law will start in months'. This afternoon the Home Secretary will announce that Sarah's law will not be introduced.
He added that "disgraceful" spin was continuing today, saying the tabloid headlines were about plans for chemical castration, but the home secretary's radio interview revealed it was just about giving offenders "Prozac pills".
He added that initiatives that are never going to happen are endlessly spun, but real measures, such as the information sharing measures recommended after the Soham murders are not put in place.
He added that initiatives that are never going to happen are endlessly spun, but real measures, such as the information sharing measures recommended after the Soham murders are not put in place.
Tony Blair rejected the Conservative leaders' points. He said it was sensible to take measures a step at a time saying new laws allowing parents to find out if people in close contact with their children are sex offenders were "a sensible, worthwhile step forward".
Tony Blair rejected the Conservative leaders' points. He said it was sensible to take measures a step at a time saying new laws allowing parents to find out if people in close contact with their children are sex offenders were "a sensible, worthwhile step forward".
He said: "We said we would investigate the possibilities of greater disclosure. We have indeed investigated.... we are proposing that there will be circumstances where members of the public will have the right to request details of possible sex offenders, for the first time. It is true it does not go as far as what is currently happening in the USA. But it is a change in practice. It is sensible to take this a step at a time."
"At the same time as we are doing everything we can to protect young people against sex offenders, we are also making sure that we protect the proper liberties ofpeople in this country," added Mr Blair.
He highlighted the measures taken to toughen laws covering sex offences - and said Mr Cameron had voted against them.
He highlighted the measures taken to toughen laws covering sex offences - and said Mr Cameron had voted against them.
Liberal
Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell asked the prime minister about the decision not to tell international investigators about some payments made in the BAE Systems deal with Saudi Arabia.
Mr
Blair was asked, to laughter from MPs, by Labour MP Gerald Kaufman why he had "pulled his punches" in his speech on the media on Tuesday, in which he had described the media as like a "feral beast". Mr Kaufman said the press was full of "half-truths and exaggerations".
Mr Blair smiled that he had "made my point" the previous day, and that Mr Kaufman had now made his point.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell asked the prime minister about who made the decision not to tell international investigators from the OECD about some payments made in the BAE Systems deal with Saudi Arabia.
Mr Blair said he had been asked to give his opinion and that, irrespective of the fact thousands of jobs could be lost, he said that continuing the Serious Fraud Office would harm British interests in terms of the fight against terrorism. Criticism of Attorney General LordGoldsmith were "unfair and wrong".
Mr Blair said he had been asked to give his opinion and that, irrespective of the fact thousands of jobs could be lost, he said that continuing the Serious Fraud Office would harm British interests in terms of the fight against terrorism. Criticism of Attorney General LordGoldsmith were "unfair and wrong".
He said the idea that an investigation into the claims could be re-opened without damaging relations with Saudi Arabia was "cloud cuckoo land".
He said the idea that an investigation into the claims could be re-opened without damaging relations with Saudi Arabia was "cloud cuckoo land".
David Cameron asked, in his second set of questions, whether the PM agreed with the Labour deputy leader contenders who had "lurched to the left" with calls for higher taxes and more union power. Mr Cameron said the deputy contest was like a cross between Big Brother and The Muppets and asked which one Mr Blair wanted to win.
David Cameron asked, in his second set of questions, whether the PM agreed with the Labour deputy leader contenders who had "lurched to the left" with calls for higher taxes and more union power. Mr Cameron said the deputy contest was like a cross between Big Brother and The Muppets and asked which one Mr Blair wanted to win.
Tony Blair responded by saying that leadership was the key thing and the next Labour leader - Gordon Brown - "will be strong", while the Conservative leader was someone who bears the "imprint of the last person who sat on him".
Tony Blair responded by saying that leadership was the key thing and the next Labour leader - Gordon Brown - "will be strong", while the Conservative leader was someone who bears the "imprint of the last person who sat on him".
Mr Blair, asked about the EU treaty/constitution talks, said it was right to be seeking allies such as France ahead of next week's EU summit. He said the UK wanted an amending treaty rather than something like a constitution. He said the UK was in a much better position now than in 1997 when, in the wake of the beef wars, the UK was isolated.
Mr Blair, asked about the EU treaty/constitution talks, said it was right to be seeking allies such as France ahead of next week's EU summit. He said the UK wanted an amending treaty rather than something like a constitution. He said the UK was in a much better position now than in 1997 when, in the wake of the beef wars, the UK was isolated.
Continues
Mr
Blair was also asked about Sudanese military personnel being trained in Britain, given the Darfur situation. He said he was not aware of that, but said all military training in the UK always included respect for human rights. He suggested the UK might bring forward a UN Security Council resolution in the next fortnight.
