david discusses the planning and logistics that go into the announced u.s. troop reduction in afghanistan. but is live at 7:00 a.m. eastern on c-span. >> the blackberry users cannot access our program anytime. -- can now access our program any time. this is all available around the clock, where ever you are. download it for free. next, prime minister's questions from the british house of commons. david cameron as questions from members on the economy. on the creek debt crisis, he stressed the uk would not be involved in the financial aid package.

also, he questioned the prime minister on concerns expressed by the military chief. >> these are questions to the prime minister. >> happy anniversary. i wish you a happy anniversary. this is the corporal from the parachute regiment. the third battalion. they were talented, brave, and dedicated soldiers who made the sacrifice overseas for the safety of british people at home. we send our deepest condolences.

in addition to my duties in the house, we will have further such meetings today. >> thank you. i think the prime minister for that response, and can i associate myself with attribute that he just said? to deliver his first budget, one year ago today, the chancellor stood up in the house. given that on the government's own assessment, their efforts will have a statistically insignificant impact on child property, can recommend that they prime minister watch the bbc documentary "poor kids" to find out how the other half lives? does he regret allowing his chancellor to take money away from families with children rather than from the bankers to cause the financial crisis in the first place? >> i will certainly look at the program the honorable lady mentioned, but even in a difficult time, this government put more money into child-tax

credits for the poorest families. we have frozen the council tax, and we have actually taken steps to help working families. needed that budget nor the subsequent budget actually raised a child poverty, because of the steps that we took. we inherited a complete mess, but we're dealing with it in a way that protects families. >> can the prime minister confirm that this country will not be contracting a penny to agree to bailout, other than what we contributed to the international monetary fund? >> we are senior members of the imf. we sit on the imf board. we obviously have responsibilities as members of the imf, but we are not members of the euro zone and will not become members of the euro zone. i do not believe the european financial mechanism should be used for greece, and we have made it very clear that we do not believe that is appropriate and that it should happen. >> mr. speaker, can i join the

prime minister in paying tribute to the royal electrical and mechanical engineers? the corporal from the parachute regiment, and the private from the third battalion the regiment? they all serve their country with dedication and bravery, and our hearts go out to their families and friends. mr. speaker, armed forces day is also coming up this saturday, and that is an opportunity to remind us all of the service that was provided by the armed forces in afghanistan, libya, and all around the world, and this gives us a chance to honor them for the service they provide with honor and courage for our country. we support the mission in libya, but in the past week, both the first sea lord and the commander in chief, air command, have raised concerns over the prospect of an extended campaign. will the prime minister take this opportunity to assure the house that sufficient resources are in place to maintain

britain's part in the mission at the core rate of engagement? >> first of all, can i join the right honorable tillman him in paying tribute to our armed forces and particularly in looking forward to armed forces day on saturday, when we will be celebrated the contribution they make to our national life and the enormous amount they do to keep us safe. the mission in libya, similar to the mission in afghanistan, he is funded out of the reserve, so it does not put additional pressures on the defense budget. i have sought and received assurances from the chief of the defense staff, sir david richards, that you're capable of keeping up this operation as long is it takes. that is vital. i would argue that the pressure is building on gaddafi. time is on our side, not on his side. we see a strengthening of the revolt in the west of libya. we see more people deserting the gaddafi regime. we see growing unpopularity of his regime and our coalition

holding strong. i think time is on our side, the pressure is growing, and i believe that we will take it to a satisfactory conclusion. >> i absolutely am with the prime minister that we should keep up the pressure on the libyan regime, but do not the concerns that have been expressed by members of our own armed forces point to something very important? which is the need to look again at the strategic defense and security review, precisely to make sure that we have the right to ability and that we have the right focus? now, before and secretary described the arabs spring as a more important event than 9/11, but the national security strategy he published last year did not mention libya, egypt, or tunisia. is it not right in the light of the changes we have seen to look again at the strategic defense and security review to make sure that we can sustain the conflict in libya? >> i am grateful for the question, because that is an important point. one of the reasons for having a

national security council that sits weekly is all the time to ask whether we have the right resources, whether we have the right strategy. we have that a review of the national security and defense review over the past year, but the point i would make is this. that strategic defense review did actually put in place mechanisms to take into account that we may well be fighting two conflicts at the same time. it also put in place the necessity of having very flexible armed forces for exactly the sort of operations that we are fighting with and dealing in libya. it does seem to be strange having not had one for 10 years to than want to have two strategic defense reviews within one year. i think we have got the right flexibility is in our armed forces. they are performing a magnificently in libya. if anything, i would like to speed up the implementation of the strategic defense review because so much of the new equipment that we are looking to have in terms of drones and so on, that would be more helpful

if we had them right now, so far from being the wrong strategic posture, it is right, it is good that we are putting in place. >> i think it will come as news to the wider defense and security community that there has been a review of the original strategic defense and security review, and if there indeed has been a review since the arab spring took place, then why does not the prime minister publish the results of that review? let us have a consultation with the experts know about these issues, because as you will see, there is clear concern across our military about these issues. let me ask the prime minister. in all sincerity, when our military chiefs raised legitimate concerns about we conduct of operations, surely it is not the right thing to say, "you do the fighting, and i will do the talking." in retrospect, mr. speaker, was that not very crass and

highhanded? >> i have huge respect for the people who run our armed services. they do an incredibly good job. they are very professional people, and they are involved in the national security council. they were involved in drawing up the strategic defense review. the only port i have to make is that when we are at war, as we are in both afghanistan and libya, it is important whether you are a political leader or military leader to think -- carefully about what you are to say. >> john thurso? >> is the prime minister aware of the decision abruptly made to close the passport office in wicked, which has obliged a 6- year-old boy to make a 300-mile round trip for interviews and another constituent to travel to new castle? is that acceptable? >> they do not necessarily

involve people having to travel to the passport office. it is having an official service of the people can get the documentation they need. >> thank you, mr. speaker. given the number of interviews the prime minister has made it is a wonder that he knows which way he is basing -- facing. >> mr. prime minister. >> i did not get all of that. the reminder of the government back benches so a prime minister can hear. how helpful that would be.

the prime minister. >> it would probably be good if you did not but the first part of a question. the second part i think was about the very important point about women and pensions. what i want to say is this. i do think it is right that the equalization of men's and women's pension age at 65, that is going ahead, and i also think it is important to raise the pension age to 66, but the truth is that people are living longer in our country, and that is a good thing, but we have to make sure that we can pay good and decent pensions. the other opportunity is to sit with your head in the sand, where we either cut the pensions or build of death for children which would be, frankly, irresponsibly. we are making decisions, but i think they are the right ones. >> does the prime minister agree there is still too much in sports, especially football?

>> i completely agree with my honorable friend, and one of the issues in sport is how few players there are in all sorts of sports, and i applaud all of those who will be coming. i encourage school to agree to recognize, full bullying is completely unacceptable in our society today -- homophobic bullying is completely unacceptable. >> runaway fathers. why is he may get harder for single mothers to get maintenance? >> we are going to go on finding a child support mechanism. it is right that we do, but i do not think it is wrong to make people make a contribution to that. they're putting in a huge amount of money. they will go on putting money, but to ask people to pay towards the costs, i do not think it

reduces the impact of what i said at all. people walk away from their responsibilities and do not find their children, they should not be allowed to have that today. >> this is neat anniversary of the death of a captain on the in the arctic. does my right honorable friend recognize that this left a significant scientific legacy it helping the world environmental agenda? >> well, i think my honorable friend for raising this issue, and it is an important event coming up. so much is going on across the country to celebrate that, -- early in his home city of plymouth. i would make the point that it is not just the scientific discoveries that are important. it is the adventure of the export, that incredible sense of duty and adventure that he had

better think inspired young people today. >> mr. speaker, the prime minister has been forced to abandon his original plans on sentencing. will he not change his mind on the proposal to prevent police holding the dna of those arrested but not charged with rape? >> we will look carefully at the issues. i have to say to the right honorable gentleman, we inherited and other acts of a situation with a dna database that had grown out of control and without proper rights for people. we put in place a better system. there is always room to see if it can be further improved, but it is a big step forward from the mess that we were left by the last government. >> looking at the proposal in the house of commons, let me explain his own policy to the prime minister. around 5000 people each year are

arrested on suspicion of rape and not charged. these individuals of gone on to commit further offenses and be convicted of the results of dna, but his proposal is for those arrested and not charge, the dna will be disposed of straight away. i ask him again, why is it right to discard the dna of those arrested before those charged with rape? >> the answer of the prime minister will be heard.

>> the shattered chancellor raises the issue. it is perfectly clear. i have the proof, mr. speaker. this week, there was a huge announcement on a massive that cut. -- vat cut. >> mr. ed miliband. >> mr. speaker, mr. speaker, let me give this to the prime minister. why does he not listen to

someone from the rape crisis? here is what she says. with conviction rates still shockingly low, the evidence the data base provides is vital. the more data we hold, the more chance we have of these. this really is a no-brainer. mr. speaker, is this not another policy on crime that is not thought through and out of touch? why do we not think again? >> he will know that the police are allowed to apply to keep dna on their computer. what is is that he comes up with an idea. he has given us a partial picture.

it is not surprising he does not want to talk. >> the answer of the prime minister must be heard. >> i am not surprised that he does not want to talk about the issues his party has been putting forward this week. >> order, order. the house needs to simmer down. mr. jones. >> mr. speaker, as a parent, i am appalled at the party opposite. unsolicited debts. there reckless tax cuts and spending commitments. >> order, order, order. the honorable gentleman will now presumed. >> thank you mr. speaker.

my bill asks about an immediate referral to a tertiary specialist and an education support for children with an assessment and additional support so that they can fulfill their potential. could the prime minister meet with me to see how we can progress with these provisions, which will not only save costs but will more importantly save lives? >> i would be delighted to meet with your -- her. i am keen that we improve the support we give to people with epilepsy. one of the steps we are taking is putting in place more budgets and more single assessments, which i think will help with epilepsy. while there are many good things in her bill, there is some

concern there could be too much of a medical approach to special educational needs. there is something that i have sympathy with. i am glad we can talk about that when we meet. >> mr. phillips? >> thank you, mr. speaker. could my right honorable friend clubhouse what the results have been? the government has made an assessment of what the proposed cut would do to the economy at this stage of the cycle? >> i do think my right honorable friend raises an important point, which is to make an unfunded cut to the v a t right now. it would be the height of insanity, and i think what is clear is that this plan stands for bankruptcy. >> the prime minister says we are all in this together.

1,400 pounds a year. >> what this government has done is put in place a bank levy, raising more than the labour solution. seeing people pay proper taxes, why did they vote against the measures in the finance bill that will raise 800 million pounds from people who are giving loans to themselves to dodge taxes? i think that is probably a detail that the leader of the labour party was probably not aware. >> we should not be making an

international contribution to the greek bailout. does the prime minister agree we have something that could help regenerate and helped write a 200-you're wrong? -- eight -- and help right a 200-yer -- year wrong? >> the short answer is we are not going to lose them. >> is the prime minister aware that two-thirds of the people according to the impact assessment have this ability, will lose up to 13 pounds per week because of his changes in housing benefits? is this not a complete betrayal not to balance the budget on the backs of the poor? >> i looked carefully at this issue.

and the point i would make is this. i think it is right there we reform the housing benefits because they have gotten completely out of control, rising to $22 billion. i think it should reflect the size of the family rather than the size of a house, but we have actually made an exception for people to have carers, but i have to say to the party opposite, it is no good talking about welfare reform and cutting the cost of welfare but never being able to find a single thing you agree with. >> thank you, mr. speaker. will the prime isn't bestired joining which will the prime minister join mate -- will the prime minister join me? wheelchair is to transform young people. how they might be able to take this forward? >> certainly.

they do a brilliant job, an excellent charity. the point i would make on we want to have greater opportunity so that people can get the wheelchair of their choice at the time of their meeting -- needing. >> mr. speaker, in four of the last five years, there have been no mistakes made in the examination papers. since may 16 of this year, there have been 10 such mistakes made. what does the prime minister intend to do among the 250,000 young people affected who will lose out either of the university of their choice or a university at all because of the staggering incompetence? >> the honorable gentleman is right. this is not an acceptable situation. i discussed it this morning with

the education secretary, who in turn has discussed it with ofqual, which is taking the toughest possible action to root out this bill here and make sure that it does not happen again. >> the prime minister will be aware that the former secretary of state, lord huttman, has described koran proposals on fashion reform as the best chance we have to deliver a sustainable system that is fair both to scheme players and the taxpayer. >> i think my honorable friend for the question. the way he puts it. the point is this. i think the hutton report is a good report, and this is not about attacking or downgrading public sector pensions. it is about a way of making really good public sector pensions respecting all of the accord rights that people have, and i think we need to win the

argument on the basis of fairness and that is right for the taxpayer to put money into the public sector pension, but we need to know that it is affordable in the long terms of the steps that were cut and puts forward are right. we need to take a responsible view and recognize that we need to make a change for the long- term good of our country. >> thank you, mr. speaker. months ago, one of my constituents had to have knee surgery and was pleased to hear he only had to wait some number of weeks. now, he has to have another surgery, and has been told he has to wait 10 months. he is understandably angry. is this what the prime minister meant? >> if she gives an individual case, i will certainly take it up and look at it. we have not changed the targets. in particular, the 18 week target which is part of the nhs constitution. average waiting times have actually come down in recent months.

if it was not for this government putting in 11.5 billion pounds extra, money that the party opposite actually does not support, you would see all waiting times going up. >> on july 18 last year, the economic secretary of the treasury stayed with regards to the decision to sign up to the euro zone bailout mechanism, and i quote that while these were taken by eight recent governments, we do not judge it to be inappropriate response to the crisis. dozens remain the government's position? >> my honorable friend is pursuing business issue with his usual dogged tenacity. it is really very clear. after the election before the new government was formed, they signed us up to the european financial mechanism, which we are still having to pay out on. what this government has done is actually get us out of that with

tough negotiations with brussels so we do not have to contribute after 2013. >> can i associate myself with the prime minister and an expression of condolence of those soldiers who have fallen in afghanistan before we must always do everything we can to bestow the debt of gratitude that we owe him. mr. speaker, this has been overtaken by events, and the world is not fundamentally a different place. can i ask again, would he do the right thing for the armed forces in order help for the outdated review? >> there is this interview to be armed forces, but i really think the idea of totally reopening the defense review at a time when our armed forces are engaged and doing such a fantastic job is actually the wrong one, and the point i make is this. what the defense review was all about was making sure we have

flexible armed forces said the rican be committed to different parts of the world and that they have the backing that they need. it was about getting rid of the main battle tanks in germany and putting money into the enablers and the forces of the future. that is what it is about. libya shows this is working, and i think we should stick it out. >> thank you, mr. speaker. will my right honorable friend welcome those campaigning outside parliament today to bring thousands of much-needed jobs to the midlands, and help to address the north-south divide, and will he confirm that it will come to yorkshire? >> i will have a beacon for all of those things. i believe that we are needing to rebalance our economy and making sure we get growth across the country, not just in the southeast. the time for the high-speed rail has come, and that is why it has my strong support. >> the secretary of state for wales has said that she is wales has said that she is prepared