later, the prime minister answers questions on electorial reform and whether the u.k. should be part of the european union. >> questions for the prime minister. >> thank you, mr. speaker. . .

friends of our fallen service personnel. the prime minister will be aware that today is no-smoking day. we will -- will he join me in congratulating the organizers of the "making smoking mr." lantern parade which takes place this wrekenton, a part of my constituency that is particularly blighted by that addiction? but he also comment on british on foundation research that shows that more than half of children's service across the uk have been exposed to cigarette smoke in cars, and that 86% of children what adults -- >> order. we have got the drift. >> the hon. gentleman makes a

good point with repression. i certainly support nonsmoking day and, unlike in some previous years, i hope to meet its requirements in full this year. his point about smoking is not -- his point is about looking for to children and babies and smoking in cars is a good one. whenever people have done in the past, the facts show that they really should range their behavior. -- really should change their behavior. i am not sure whether it is possible to legislate in that area. we needed change in attitudes, which he is helping to lead with the british law foundation and others. ung foundation lo and others. >> gesture was international women's day and today great trade figures and export growth were announced. does the prime mr. reed that we would have even better figures

if the managed to get more women on the boards of companies across the uk? >> my hon. friend is right to draw attention to today's trade figures, which show a big increase in exports, which is exactly the sort of rebalancing that our economy needs. it is absolutely right that we need to get more women involved in the pulp -- in the work force and at board level. in addition, in terms of an entrepreneur is some, if we have the same rate of women setting up businesses as america, we would have tens of thousands of extra business is creating wealth and jobs. >> i start by paying tribute to lance corporal liam tasker from the royal army veterinary corps. he was doing a job that put him in such danger and he should extraordinary bravery and courage. we remember him and we pass on deep condolences to his family and friends. can the prime minister tell us who authorizes the mission ending gauzy last week that --

last weekend? >> the foreign secretary set up the position absolutely in full in the house on monday, but let me say clearly that i take full responsibility for everything that my government do. >> i am grateful to the prime minister for saying that. i want to support him in libya when it -- wherever i can, but there is increasing concern about the government's competence on the issue. we have had the flights fiasco, talk of colonel gaddafi heading to venezuela when he was not, overblown briefing about potentially military action, and the setback last again. does the prime minister think that it is just a problem with the foreign secretary or is it a water problem in his government? >> i am not sure that i particularly want to take a lecture from labor about dealing with gaddafi and libya. the first thing that we should have from the labor party when it comes to libya, gaddafi, and megrahi is anf mcgraw h

apology, which we still have not had. when it comes to this government's conduct, we have led the way in getting a tough u.n. resolution on libya, giving libya thrown out of the human rights council and making sure that the world is preparing for every eventuality, including a no-fly zone. >> everybody will have heard the deafening silence about the performance of the foreign secretary. there is an issue of competence at the heart of this government and i want to turn to another example of incompetence. does the prime minister think that people will notice the loss of 12,000 from one police officers? >> first, the right hon. gentleman raises the issue of the foreign secretary. let me tell him -- i think we have an excellent foreign secretary. when it comes to it, there is only one person around here i can remember knifing a foreign secretary, and i think i am looking at him. right, on the issue, we want to see people on the street

fighting crime, not stuck behind their desks fighting paper. that is what we want to achieve. whoever was standing here right now would have to be reducing the home office budget and the policing budget. labor was committed to a $1.3 billion cut. the question is not argue reducing the budget to? the question is what are you doing to cut the paperwork, to freeze the pay, to deal with the allowances to make sure the police are on the streets? >> the more that he brings up my relatives in to this argument, the more that we know he is losing the argument. i have a second cousin in belgium he will be going after next, i am sure. [laughter] on the question of crime, he says he wants to approve front- line policing. but the west midlands is losing 1000 officers.

bedfordshire has scaled back gun license checks. and now we hear that companies that have been furloughed are to be sent fingerprint kits in the post. i know that he believes in the big society, but solving your own crimes is a bit ridiculous, even by his standards. you have to ask, mr. speaker, does the prime minister actually have a clue what is going on out there? >> i think the leader of the labor party is getting a little bit touchy about this issue. if you listen to what chief constable are saying about what they want to do -- here's the chief constable of the thames valley. "what i haven't done at all is reduce the number of officers who do the patrol functions, so the officers uc out in vehicles, on foot, in uniform, on bicycles, we have not cut them at all this into the juicer

parent tenants in surrey who says, "the "we are determined to increase our front line capability by recruiting extra" police officers. the fact is that all the leadership of the police is engaged in the exercise of keeping costs under control to make sure that we get more officers on the beat. whether we have to divert from the -- divert them to protect the right hon. gentleman does, i do not know, but they're going to be on the beat. >> 10 months, and the soul of touch with people up and down this country -- the prime minister talks about police officers. in case he had not noticed, is the association of chief police officers that says that 12,000 from nine police officers are going to be lost. why are they being lost? it is because he chose to be -- to go beyond the recommendation

by her majesty's inspector at a cost of dilatory -- of constabulary of 12% cuts. if he had made% cuts, the savings could have been found from the back office, but he went too far and too fast and insisted on 20% cuts in police in. >> the right hon. gentleman is wrong. the association of police -- of chief police officers is not talking about from one officers so he is simply wrong about that. let me remind him that his home affairs spokesman said at the time of the election, when asked "can you guarantee if you form the next seven that police numbers will not fall?" allen johnson, "no. that was a position that was --

that was the position and that is what he said after the election. >> will know that the government are out of touch and now we know what they are incompetent as well. incompetent on libya and incompetent of policing. the prime minister may act like he was born to rule, but the truth is that he is not very good at it. >> the usual prescribed questions that he jumped up earlier -- the question is, has he got a reform plan for the na chassnhs? it is no wonder that the former foreign secretary has just said that "the left is losing elections on an unprecedented scale because it has lost control of the political agenda it is also losing key arguments." >> will my right hon. friend join me in congratulating the people of suffolk who, in less

year, have raised more than 3 million pounds to build a new children's hospice through the tree house appeal? this is an example of the community coming together to support a local project that will really make a difference. it is also supported by bbc suffolk, the "evening star" and "the east anglian daily times." >> she is absolutely right. i know that members right across the house back tthe hospice movement with its hospices for adults and for children. >> the coast guard stations, our maritime insurance policy, have been treated badly by the maritime and coast guard agency, which has started threatening to

close stations without caring at any risk assessment whatever. >> i will look at this issue carefully because it is being raised by members across the house. what i would say, however, is that this is not about the uk's from one rescue capability. the key changes are about how the coast guard service coordinate's services and rescue missions, so the aim of the is to get thensultation resources on the front line. >> because crustaceans are our maritime insurance policy.

>> the alternative vote system is unfair, expensive, and discredited. even members of the support team for the yes side do not really wanted. what is the prime minister to do to ensure that we defeat this system because it can produce distorted outcomes? >> i think my hon. friend for his question. i will be campaigning hard for a no vote in the referendum. i think that it is a relatively simple argument make. >> @ prime minister's questions on 27 october, the prime minister agree that ministers would work with me and with our leading children's charities on an affordable alternative to the children trust fund for looked- after children. i can confirm that, since then, the financial secretary to the treasury and the children's minister have both worked constructively with us on this -- on that issue.

>> will certainly lead the pamphlet, if the right hon. gentleman will leave me a copy. we're looking at whether we could replace funds, particularly for children in care, with some form of child isa. >> the coalition government's principal objective is to cut the i watering deficit that we inherited from the previous government. can the prime minister confirm how many people will see their incomes -- >> order. order. order. i apologize for having to interrupt. members must be heard when asking their questions and the prime minister heard in answering them. it is a very simple principle. i think that the hon. gentleman has completed his question. >> the truth is that his members opposite do not like being reminded of the massive deficit and the huge mess that they left this government to clear up. we will be lifting the tax

threshold for income tax payers in april this year. 880 dozen people will be removed from income tax altogether. that is a major step toward, a big help with the cost of living, and will be welcome to families up and down the country. >> many parents in my constituency are worried sick because a number of school bus services are being withdrawn with no guarantee of an equivalent replacement, meaning that a tentative, routes, and fares will be at the discretion of commercial operators. what is the prime minister doing to ensure that families are not subject to big fare hikes just to get their children to school? >> we are doing -- what we are doing, it was one of the difficult decisions we took in the spending around, is to make

sure that the per pupil funding is in place and is not going down. >> to the prime minister and the chance to recognize a severe impact of exceptionally high petrol and diesel prices on rural communities in england such as northumberland, where prices tend to be 5 p to 10 p a liter higher than in the cities, where people have long distances to travel to work and where public transport is very limited? the we hope for some relief in the budget? >> my right hon. friend makes an important point. the argument has been made about hypocausts and we're listening to every carefully -- listening to it very carefully. we will have to wait for the budget. i know that prices for heating oil are also a big issue in rural areas like the ones that he had, indeed, and i represent.

we have asked the office of fair trading to look at it. >> however serious the situation in libya -- no doubt gaddafi is now using arms sold to him by british companies -- will the prime minister give an assurance to the house today that no military action will be taken regarding libya without direct authorization from the united nations security council? >> when i discussed last night with president obama is making sure that we plan for every eventuality, including planning for a no-fly zone. if that becomes necessary, everyone would want it to have the widest possible backing, which is why we are currently drafting a un city council resolution. i think that is absolutely the right thing to do. >> it is no secret that the council text of alert -- it is no secret that the council tax doubled under the last government. in my constituency, both local councils -- sell the district and hair gets -- selby district

and harrogate borough council -- are freezing council tax this year. will the prime minister tell me and the house how many other councils have chosen similarly to help hard-pressed council tax payers? >> i am delighted to say that a huge number councils have done that. i think it was right to announce a freeze in council tax, which will bring real help to households across the country, saving the average family up to 72 pounds a year at a time when they face difficulty with the cost of living. >> is the prime minister aware of a commitment in the program for government of the coalition government who are taking office in dublin today to move to an opt out system for organ donation? as well as whatever consideration his government might give to the proposal, will the prime minister undertake to

work with all other administrations in these islands through the british irish counsel to increase the number of organ donors and to improve networks for sourcing and sharing donor organs and transplant services for people who need that life-saving and life changing treatment? >> i will certainly agree to that. i think there is a huge gap between where we are now and a formal offer out system, it in encouraging patients and talking to them about what can be done. i'm sure that we can make steps forward and my right hon. friend the health secretary will do the. >> 373,000 "the daily express" readers wanted, 80% of conservative members supported, the deputy prime minister would love it, and my wife demands it. [laughter] the british people, a conservative supporters, the

leader of the liberal party, and especially mrs. bone cannot all be wrong. prime minister, may we have a referendum on whether the united kingdom should remain in the european union? >> i wish that my wife were as easy to please. [laughter] i was worried about where that was going. [laughter] i am afraid that i must disappoint my hon. friend and mrs. bone. i think that we are better off inside the eu but making changes to it, in the way that we're setting out. >> there are 1.5 million individuals throughout the united kingdom who suffer from involuntary tranquilizer addiction, which is not the misuse of drugs by individuals, but prescription addiction. it has run this side effects. will the prime minister or can the prime minister ensure that special withdraw programs are set up across the country to give those people their lives back? i'm understand that the

government are reviewing the situation, but the reviews to be put back. these people are victims of the system and they're suffering all the time. >> he has raised this with me before. i think he speaks very powerfully on behalf of these people who have this addiction, which is an extreme problem in our country. we published a drug strategy which set out an ambition to reduce drug use, including the use of prescription and over- the-counter to bentsen'medicine. that should include programs to help people to withdraw from and come off the stress. however, as i have said before, i think that we must deal with the problem at source. that is part of the purpose of our health reforms, which is to ensure that the national health service is genuinely concerned with the help of a whole person rather than being a national drug service in which there can sometimes be too much prescribing of drugs. >> the german company stark which owns and makes

chocolates in my constituency, has announced that it is consulting on plans that could involve production being moved to germany. in the area that i represent, 115 jobs depend on the factory. will the prime minister as one of his ministers in the relevant department to meet me and representatives from the company as soon as possible to establish whether we can help? >> i will certainly do that. >> the prime minster's beating of his office to help sell the government's unpopular and wishful 2 billion pounds reorganization of the na says. does it concern him that baroness williams of crosby feels that she is "under no obligation to support police is -- policies outside that

agreement?" backrime minister's benchers do not want this. no one wanted. it is not possible for the prime minister to halt -- >> order. we have got the drift. but we must have an answer. >> the question drafted by the labor members have got a bit longer. i think that those in the labor whips' office need to go to remedial writing school. if the hon. gentleman was asking a question about the in a chess -- as i think he was -- and asking who supports the images reforms, let me say this. there is common ground between health professionals,s and political parties. >> this month, soldiers from cian, including many

from my constituency, are being deployed to of aniston and our thoughts and prayers are with them. will the prime minister assure that, if our brave soldiers are injured while serving your country, they will receive compensation that recognizes their sacrifice? >> i think this is something with which the whole house can unite on, the result of the review into the armed forces compensation scheme carried out by admiral voice. that will lead to significant increases in the value of awards -- on average in excess of 20% to lump-sum payments, except the top award, which was recently doubled to five and a 70,000 pounds. we are tripling the maximum award for mental illness to 140,000 pounds. you can never compensate people for their injuries, either mental or physical, in battle. but we can, as a generous, talent, warm, and welcoming nation to our armed forces, do so much more and i am glad that

we're doing this. >> 1500 women in newport who are now going to have to work two years longer because the government has accelerated the introduction of the increase in the state pension age feel very angry that they are not being given long enough to plan properly for a delayed retirement? >> i know this is a difficult reward but as well as dealing with the short-term problems of our deficit and making spending reductions across government programs -- which, frankly, any government would have to do right now -- i think it is also right to make some long-term changes to reduce long-term cost of our pension system. as life expectancy is increasing, i think it is right to ask people to retire later. this is a difficult and long- term decision. i think the arguments for it are absolutely right. >> will my right hon. friend join me in welcoming the good news on jobs announced this morning, that figure is of the fastest rate of permanent positions -- that february saw

the fastest rate of permanent positions being filled for 10 months and that those jobs came from the private sector? >> my hon. friend is right to draw attention to that as well as the trade figures. we are engaged in a very difficult operation to balance the economy, which for too long was dependent on government, housing, finance, and, frankly, on immigration as well. we need an economy that is based more on manufacturing, technology, exports, enterprise, and small business. it is going to be difficult, but there are good signs that the private sector economy is growing and growing well. >> last year, new castle citizens advice bureau dealt with more than 26,000 cases, supported by 75 volunteers, yet its budget has been slashed and there is no clarity from lib

dem newcastle city council on funding from the end of this month. >> the government have made sure that the national funding for the c acab debt service has been maintained and that is a vital part of it. >> i am sure all members agree that one of the most important jobs would perform every year is to represent people who have lost their lives and war in remembrance sunday. it is certainly something i do with great pride in my constituency. with that in mind, does the prime minister think a 50 pounds fineness and a proper punishment for those who burn poppies and chant during the silence? >> my hon. friend will have spoken for many people in their reaction to the court case. it is difficult unless we are

sitting in the court and making the decision ourselves, but many of us look at such cases and feel that as a country we should be making a strong statement that that's sort of behavior is completely out of order and has no place in a tolerant society. >> mantic the prime minister av ando the question on 8 asking to look at the early-day motion 1550 tabled yesterday, which challenges the funding from the electoral form society? >> i have not gotten around to that motion. but it sounds like i should get round to it. we have been looking all these years for something for the hon. gentleman and i agree about. [laughter] i think some people will be surprised to find that what they thought was an organization running elections is funding a campaign, but in the interests

of coalition unity, i will leave it at. >> i recently met a member -- a number of manufacturing businesses in craig the health -- in cradley health in my constituency. does the prime mr. agree that the government must do all they can to support manufacturing, particularly in areas such as the black country, to drive private sector jobs growth? >> as i have said, we need a rebalancing of the economy whereby we see more technology, more aerospace, more manufacturing, and a greater emphasis on such things. we are seen recent figures showing good strong growth -- but to a% a year -- in manufacturing output andve