Number 10 Press Briefing - Morning For 8 September 2011
From the Prime Minister's spokesperson on: OECD figures, Troops, West Lothian, EU Convention, Baha Mousa.
OECD figures
Asked for the PM’s (Prime Minister) thoughts on the OECD growth forecast, the PMS (Prime Minister’s Spokesman) referred them to the Chancellor’s speech where he said that short term expectations had been revised down over recent weeks.
Troops
Asked if the PM had any interest in appointing a forces champion, the PMS said that the PM had often put on the record his admiration for the work, courage and dedication of our armed forces, and was fully committed to doing everything that he could to support them. Quite a lot had already been done, and the Government would continue to look at all proposals, to see how we could best support veterans.
West Lothian
Asked if the PM had a view on the best approach to solving the West Lothian question, the PMS said that the Government was committed to setting up a commission to consider this important question, and that there was a statement by DPM (Deputy Prime Minister) that day, detailing the progress on the commission.
EU Convention
Asked if the Government had changed tack on prisoner voting, as it has been delayed for six months, the PMS said that it had not. There had been another court case, and just as the Government was taking account of Parliament’s views, it was also taking account of the legal position, and the outcome of the court case might have implications for that.
Baha Mousa
Asked if the PM had seen the report on Baha Mousa and was satisfied with its conclusions, the PMS said that he would have been briefed on the report, and that he would comment on it further after the report had been published.