Number 10 Press Briefing - Morning For 18 October 2011
From the Prime Minister's spokesperson on: Gus O'Donnell's report, Cabinet meeting, inflation figures and extradition.
Gus O’Donnell’s report
Asked if the report from Gus O’Donnell into Liam Fox’s meetings with Adam Werrity was expected that day, the Prime Minister’s Spokeman (PMS) said the report was expected. Asked if the report would contain details of meetings Adam Werrity had with other Government Minister, the PMS said he said a consolidated list would not be published but that the Ministry of Defence had published a list of meetings and that the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Downing Street had no records of any such meetings. Asked who in the Ministry of Defence Adam Werrity had met, the PMS said it was understood he may have met Lord Astor and Gerald Howarth but that we had no reason to believe he had met with Ministers from other Departments. Asked several times to comment on the content of the report and conclusions that may be drawn, the PMS said it was important to wait for the report to be delivered. Asked if the matter had been discussed at Cabinet, the PMS said it had not.
Cabinet meeting
Asked if there had been a banging of desks to welcome Justine Greening to the Cabinet, the PMS confirmed there had been. Asked if there had been a discussion about the economic situation, the PMS said the inflation figures had been referred to in the context of the uprating of benefits.
Inflation figures
Asked if the Prime Minister had a response to today’s inflation figures, the PMS said he understood it was a difficult time for householders affected by price rises, but that this was being driven by rising global commodity prices. Asked if there would be more quantitative easing, the PMS said it was a matter for the Bank of England. Asked if the Government would would have to increase the deficit to afford the benefits that would result from higher inflation, the PMS said the September figure was usually used to calculate April changes to benefits but that the decision would be made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Extradition
Asked about current extradition arrangements, the PMS said a report had been received from the independent panel and that the Government would set out its response to that in due course.