Number 10 Press Briefing - Afternoon From 17 November 2010
From the Prime Minister's spokesperson on: Royal engagement, Ireland and misc
Royal Engagement
Asked what consultation there needed to be between the Government and the Palace about the Royal engagement, the Prime Minister’s Spokesman (PMS) said that the Palace made their announcement yesterday and the Government stood ready to support in any way it could.
Asked if the newly formed cross-departmental committee had met up today, the PMS said no, but Clarence House had been answering questions on the process so it was best to speak to them.
Asked if the Government would end up putting any money towards the wedding, the PMS said that this was a Royal event. The Palace had made the announcement only yesterday and the Government stood ready to support the process in any way possible.
Ireland
Asked if it helped Ireland to have a Treasury Minister stand up in the House of Commons and explain why they were in trouble, the PMS said it was well known that one of the issues in the run up to the global financial crisis was around banking regulation, which was why the global community had got around the table and decided to strengthen those regulations.
Asked when the British Government would decide whether or not to help bail out the Irish, the PMS said that no formal request had been made and we would not engage in speculation.
Misc
Asked if the Prime Minister had had any conversations with anyone since PMQs on the flooding in Cornwall, the PMS said that the Prime Minister would be regularly updated, but there were no specific conversations to report.
Asked if was the Prime Minister’s practice to appear at PMQs even if the Leader of the Oppostion was not due to appear, the PMS said yes.