Number 10 Press Briefing - Morning For 13 July 2011
From the Prime Minister's spokesperson on: Phone Hacking.
Phone Hacking
Asked who would be responding on the Government’s behalf at today’s Opposition Day Debate, the PMS said it would be the Leader of the House.
Asked whether the PM would attend any part of the debate, the PMS said he would be making a statement following PMQs.
Asked whether the PM would attend to cast his vote should it get to that stage, the PMS said, if it went to a vote, the PM would try and make it.
Asked what had changed since the PM told Ed Miliband that he would attend the debate, the PMS said the PM had now decided to make a statement in the House and would be answering questions on the issue at PMQs.
Asked whether the PM decided to make a statement after his meeting with Ed Miliband, the PMS said we shouldn’t get too hung up about process and reiterated that the PM would be making a statement.
Asked whether the Government would support the proposed amendment calling for a statutory settlement on diversity of media ownership, the PMS said it was for the Speaker to decide whether he wished to accept that amendment.
Asked if the PM had any concerns about the message we are sending out to international companies when Parliament debated whether a private company should be buying shares in another, the PMS said that on the takeover due process was being followed. He added that Parliament was expressing a view on an issue that was of great public interest.
Asked whether Government had received legal advice that anyone who voted for today’s motion would be prevented from playing a quasi judicial role in any future decision on BSkyB, the PMS said he would not get into legal advice given to Government, but added that if there was a vote, Culture Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, would not take part.