Press briefing: afternoon 17 July 2014
The Prime Minister's Spokesperson (PMS) answered questions on the EU Council, child abuse inquiry, spare room subsidy and heatwave advice.
EU Council
Asked whether the Prime Minister will publish Dominic Grieve’s views on the United Kingdom and the European Court of Human Rights, the PMS said there were clear rules regarding disclosure of government papers. However, if the question related to what might be in the Conservative Manifesto, the PMS referred journalists to political colleagues. The PMS added that the Prime Minister was already looking at a variety of measures eg the deportation of foreign national offenders.
Asked who initiated the ‘high 5’, the PMS said it was not unusual for Mr Juncker to greet people in this way and pointed out that the Prime Minister and Mr Juncker had worked closely around the EU Council table when Mr Juncker was Prime Minister of Luxembourg. Asked about the introduction of Lord Hill at the EU Council meeting, the PMS said this had been amicable and that the Prime Minister’s view on a preference for an economic portfolio was already known.
Child abuse inquiry
Asked about the selection of the new chair of the child abuse inquiry, the PMS said that the Home Secretary had answered this in the House of Commons today, and that the process and consideration of the appointment is under way.
Spare room subsidy
Asked about whether the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister had spoken regarding the Liberal Democrat view on the spare room subsidy, the PMS said the Leader of the House had covered this in Business Questions. Asked about the implication of the Liberal Democrat change of view on coalition policy, the PMS referred journalists to political colleagues.
Heatwave
Asked about advice on how to keep cool in the heatwave, the PMS referred journalists to advice issued by Public Health England.