questions from the british house of commons. this week, from mr. david kennedy answered questions from members on the british economy from reforms to criminal sentence these procedures, and foreign-policy issues. on the greek debt crisis, he stressed that the u.k. would not be involved in the eurozone aid package to greece. also, ed miliband question the prime minister on concerns expressed by military chiefs on the mission in libya. >> order. questions to the prime minister. kerry mccarthy. >> happy anniversary. question no. one. >> thank you. hank you, mr. speaker. anhappy anniversary. question number 1. >> thank you, mr. speaker. i was unaware of that event but i join in giving you happy anniversary.

how much the give tribute corporal lloyd newell and private garrison they were talented dedicated soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice overseas for the safety of british people at home. we send out our deepest condolences to their families, their friends and their colleagues. mr. speaker, this moing i had meetings with ministerial colleaes and others and in addition to my duties in this house i shall have further such meetings today. >> carrie mckarr think. i thank the prime minister with that response and can i associate to the tributes he just pay. he stood up to give his first budget. given on the government's own assessment, the efforts will have a statistically insignificant impact on child poverty. can i recommend that the prime minister watches the bbc

documentary "poor kids" to find out how the other half lives and can he regret his chancellor to take money away from children rather than from the bankers who caused the financial crisis in the first place? >> well, i will ceainly look at the program the honorable lady mentions but i would say even in a difficult time this government put money in tax credits for the poorest families. we've frozen the council tax and we've actually taken steps to help working families. and the budget and the subsequent budget -- neither of them actually raised child poverty because of the steps that we took. we inherited a complete mess from the party opposite but we're dealing with it in a way that protects families. >> can the prime minister confirm that this country will not be contributed a penny toward the greek bailout other than we contribute to the imf? >> the honorable lady is right. senior members of the imf, we sit on the imf board, we

obviously have responsibilities as members of the imf is what i'm clear about is we were not involved in the first greek bailout. we are not members of the eurozone and we're not going to become members of the eurozone as far as i'm standing here. i don't believe the european financial mechanism should be used for greece and we won't think it's appropriate and i don'believe it should happen. >> dave miliband. >> mr. speaker, can i join the prime minister in paying tribute to craftsman andrew found to the electrical and mechanical engineers, lloyd newell and gariff bellingham. they all served with dedication and bravery and our hearts go out to their family and friends. armed forces day is coming up this saturday and this is an oppounity to remind us all of the service that is provided by our armed forces in afghanistan, in libya and all around the world and i think it is a moment to recognize t service they

provide with honor and courage for our country. mr. speaker, we support the mission in libya but in the first week the sea lord and the commander in chief air command have raised concerns over the prospect of an extended campaign. can 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 current rate? >> first of all, can i join the right honorable to paying tribute to our sources and i look forward to armed forces on saturday where we will be celebrating to the contribution they me to our national life and also the enormous amount they do to keep us safe. in terms of the mission in libya, similar to the mission in afghanistan, of course, it is funded out of the reserves so it does not put additional pressures on the defense budget. and i've had assurances and received them from the chief of the defense staff that we are capable of keeping up this

operation for as long as it takes. now, i think that is vital and i would argue that the pressure is building on gadhafi. time is on our side and not on gadhafi's side and if you look at what i see happening in libya when you strengthening of a revolt and you see more people deserting gadhafi's regime and you see a growing unpopular regime. i think time is on our side and the pressure is growing and i believe it will take it to a satisfactory conclusion. >> mr. speaker, i'm absolutely with the prime minister that we should keep up the pressure on the libyan regime. and as he knows we do provide our full support for the mission. but don't the concerns that have been expressed by members of our 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 capability and we have the right focus. no the feign secretary described the arab spring as a more important event than 9/11.

but the national security strategy published last year doesn't mention libya, egypt on tunisia. isn't it right in the light of the changes that we've seen to look again at the strategic defense and security review to make sure that we can sustain the conflict in libya? >> i'm grateful for the question because it's an important point. one of the reasons for having a national security council that sits weekly is all the time to ask, are we -- have we got the right resources? do we have the right strategy? and we've add review of the national security and defense review over the last year. but the point i'd make is this, that strategic defense review did actually put in place mechanisms to say that we may well beighting two conflicts at the same time. it also put in ple the necessity of having very flexible armed forces so the exactly the sort of operations that we are fighting and dealing with in libya. and the point i'd make also to the honorable gentleman is it does seem to me strange having

not had one for 10 years to want to have two strategic defense reviews within one year. i think we've got the right flexibilities in our armed forces. they're performing magnificently in libya. if anything, i would like to speed up the implementation of the strategic defense review because so many -- so much of the new equipment we're looking to have in terms of drones and things like that it would be more helpful to have them right now. so far from being the wrong strategic posture and it's right and it's good we're putting them in place. >> mr. speaker, i think it will come as news as the wider defense and security community that there's 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 doesn't the prime minister publish the results of that review? let's have a consultation with the experts who know about these issues. now, let me just answe the

prime minister finally -- let me say this to him in all sincerity. [laughter] >> when our military chief -- when our military chief raised concerns and raised legitimate concerns about the conduct of our operations, surely, it's not the right thing to say, to say you do the fighting and i'll do the talking. in retrospect, mr. speaker, wasn't that very crass and underhanded? >> 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're involved in th national security council. they are involved in drawing up the strategic defense review. the only point that i have tried to make in recent days is i think when you are at war, and we are in both afghanistan and libya, i think it's very important whether you're a political leader or whether you're military leader, to think very carefully about what you're about to say. >> mr. john? >> can i ask the prime minister

if he aware to close the passport office to make a 6-year-old boy to run a 3-mile review to make an interview and another boy to travel to new castle. is this acceptable? >> i'll look very closely at the point my honorable friend raises but, of course, in the modern age we have all sorts of ways of carrying out interviews that don't necessarily involve people having to travel to a psport office. what matters is having an efficient service so people can get the documentation they need so they can go on a holiday they want. >> thank you, mr. speaker. given the number of decisions the prime minister has made, forestry selloff and school -- >> you need a list. >> it is a wonder that he ignores which way is he facing. do both have the fruit to - [inaudible] >> i apologize.

prime minister? >> i'mfraid i didn't get all of that. [laughter] >> that is the -- that's the trouble with -- ord >> order, order. >> it's the importance of government backbenches to be sober and quietly. how helpful that would be. the prime minister. >> it would probably help if you didn't read the list but the second point is about the very important point about women and pensions. i do think it's right to have the equalization of men's and women's pension age at 65nd that is going ahead and i also think it's important to raise the pension age to 66 because the fact is, people are living longer in our country. that's a good thing. but we have to make sure we can pay for good and decent pensions for the future. it seems to me the alternative is to stick your head in the

sand, end up with a situation where you're cutting pensions or building up debts for children that would frankly be irresponsible. the government is taking difficult decisions but i think they are impornt ones. >> does the prime minister agree that there is still too much homophobia in sports especially football and the event on downing street will somehow go toapping that prejudice. >> i completely agree with my honorable friend and i'm delighted to be hosting a party for britain's lez bee, gay and transgender at no. 10 downing street. it's amazing how few who are out in sports. and i hope children will understand homophobic bullying is completely unacceptable in our schools today. >> thank you,s >> if prime minister is so interested in tackle runway

fathers how is he making it either for women to have maintenance maintenance -- >> we are going to go on funding a child support agency mechanism. that's right that we do but i don't think it's wrong to ask people to make a contribution to that. taxpayers currently are putting in a huge amount of money. they'll go on putting in money but to ask people to pay towards the costs i don't think reduces the impacts of what i said at all. people that walk away from their responsibilities and don't fund their children, that shouldn't be allowed to happen in britain today. >> oliver coleville. >> thank you, mr. speaker. next year is the centurary, does my right honorable friend that this bve man left a have fund

the agenda? >> i thank my herbal friend for this issue. is an important event coming up and i'm very pleased so much is coming on across the country to celebrate, particularly, in his home city of plymouth. i would make the point that it's not just the scientific discoveries that are important. it's the inspirational figure, the adventure, the explorer, that incredible sense of duty and adventure that he had that i think inspires young people today. >> mr. speaker, the prime minister has been forced to abandon his original plans on sentencing. will he now change his mind on the proposal to prevent police holding the dna of those arrested but not charg with rape? >> well, we will look carefully at the issues of dna. but i have to say to the right honorable gentleman we inherited an unacceptable situation with a dna database that have grown out of control and without proper

rights for people. we put in place a better system. always room foresee it can be further improved. but i think we made a big step forward from the mess that we were left by the last government. >> mr. speaker, it's a bit late to be looking at the proposal. it's in the house of commons and about to have its report stage. now, let me explain his own policy to the prime minister. around 5,000 people each year are arrested on suspicion of rape and not charged. i know you want some help from the home secretary. in certain cases, these individuals have gone to commit further offenses and been convicted as a result of the dna being held on the national database. but his proposal is that for those arsted and not charged, the dna will be disposed of straight-away. i ask him again, why is it right to discard the dna of those arrested but not charged with

rape? >> i know there's some concern -- >> order! the answer of the prime minister will be heard. and i remind the house, the more noise the greater difficulty in getting the order paper. the prime minister. >> i understand, mr. speaker, there's some worry that on -- in this government, we actually talk to each other. [laughter] >> this is clearly not the case. the shadow chancellor raises this issue. it's perfectly clear that the shadow chancellor and the leader of the labour party don't speak to each other at all. they don't speak at all. and i have -- i have, mr. speaker -- i have the proof. i have the proof because this week he made a huge announcement on a massive v.a.t. cut and yet it was only -- >> let's put this on an answer to the question and we'll move on to the next question. mr. ed miliband.

>> mr. speaker -- mr. speaker, let me giv this lesson to the prime minister. it will be better to talk to his colleagues before they put forth the policy, not afterwards. now, instead of listening to the home secretary, why doesn't he listen to angie conway from rape crisis. this is what she says, with the reporting of rapes on the increase and conviction rates still shockingly low, the evidence this database provides is vital. the more of this data we hold, the more chance we have of catching rapists. she says, this really is a no-brainer. mr. speaker, isn't this another policy on crime that is careless, not thought tough and out of touch? why doesn't he think again? >> first of all, first of all, if he actually understood the

policy, he will know -- yes. if he understood, he will know that the police are allowed to apply to keep dna on their computer, not sething that he mentioned. what we tend to find withis questions is that he comes up with some problems and comes to the house of commons and we find out he's given us is partial picture. that is what his questions are all about. it's not surprising that he doesn't want to talk. >> the answer of the prime minister must be heard. the prime minister? >> i'm not surprised that he doesn't want to talk about the issues his party has been putting forward this week because i don't suppose he knew about them. >> order! order! order! the house needs to smer down and take whatever tablets are necessary. mr. marcus jones? >> mr. speaker, mr. speaker, as a parent, i'mppalled that the party opposite burdening our children with ever more debts that the party opposite are

putting forward with their reckless tax cuts and spending commitments of which the v.a.t. cut is the latest. >> order! order! the honorable gentleman will now resume his seat. valerie bags? >> thank you, mr. speaker. thank you, mr. speaker. >> shhhh. >> there are 400 avoidableebts from epilepsy and relatable conditions. my rule bill asks for two things, an immediate referral to a tertiary specialist and an education support for children with an assessment and additionalupport so that they can fulfill their potential. could the prime minister meet with me the joint epilepsy counseling and professor helen crops how we can advance these provisions which will not only save costs but more importantly, ve lives. >> i'd be delighted to meet with her and also with helen cross

who i know well who is an absolutely brilliant clinician and someone i know well. i am keenly aware of the support we give to people with epilepsy. obviously, one of the steps that we're taking is putting in place more personal budgets and more single assessments which i think will help with epilepsy. my understanding is that while there's many good things in her bill, there is some concern that it could have too much of a medical approach to special educational needs. something i actually have some sympathy with but i know many professionals have their concerns about it so perhaps we can talk about that when we et. >> mr. steven phillips. >> thank you very much, mr. speaker. could my right honorable friends tell the house whether and if so, what the results have been the government has made an assessment of what a proposed cuts in v.a.t. would do to the economy this stage of the cycle? >> well, i do think my right honorable friend raises an important point. which is to make an unfunded cut

to v.a.t. right now when the coerns are about debt and deficit. woulactually be the height of insanity and i think what is now clear is that labour's plan b stands for bankruptcy. >> helen jones. >> the prime minister frequently tells us that we're all in this together. so can he explain why banks have been rewarded with a 2 billion pound tax cut on their obscene bonus rules and parents of disabled children are being penalized with a benefit cut of 1,400 pounds a year? how is that fair? >> well, i'll tell you what this government has done which has put in place a 2.5 billion pound bank levy raising more than labour's bonus tax every single year. but i have to say, if members opposite want to see irresponsible people who are earning a lot of money pay proper taxes, perhaps they could explain this. why did they vote against the

measures on disguise earnings in the finance bill that will raise 800 million pound from people who are giving loans to themselves to dodge taxes? well, i think that's probably a detail the leader of the labour party wasn't really awa of. >> thank you, mr. speaker. we should not be making a unilateral contribution to the greek bailout, does the prime minister agree that we have something which would help regenerate the greek economy and put right a 200-year wrong? and that is to give the marbles back? >> i'm afraid -- i'm afraid i don't agree with the honorable gentleman. >> order, i want to hear the prime minister's view on marbles, the prime minister. >>he short answer is that we're not going to lose them. >> mr. william bane. >> thank you, mr. speaker.

is the prime minter aware that 6,037 people according his policy impact will have a disability. will lose up to 13 pounds a week because of his changes in housing benefit under occupancy rates? isn't this a complete betrayal of his chancellor's promise not to balance the budget on the backs of the poor? >> i've looked carefully at this issue and i know that there are -- i know that there are concerns. and the point -- the point i'd make is this, i think it is right that we reform housing benefit, the costs have gotten completely out of control under the last government, rising to 22 billion. i think it's right that housing benefit reflects the size of a family rather than the size of a house but we've actually made an exception for people who have ca care. 's no sense of saying you're in support of welfare reform and cut welfare but never finding a part of the bill that you

support. >> thank you, prime minister. will the prime minister join me in the reform group? my wheelchair is my shoes showing how we can through partnership working deliver the wheelchairs that transform young people's lives. and will he meet with me and whiz kids ambassadors to discuss how the government would take it forward? >> i know whiz kids as well. an excelnt charity. i'll certainly arrange a meeting for him. the point i would make on wheelchairs, we do want to see where the health reforms of great choice and greater opportunity to choose for gps and patients so people can get the wheelchair of their choice at the time of their needing rather than at the moment where it is slightly, yoknow -- you have to take what you're given. >> mr. john mann? >> mr. speaker, in the last 4, of 5 years there have been no mistakes of school examination papers. since the 16th of may this year

there have been 10 such mistakes made. what does the prime minister intend to do for those amongst the children 50,000 young people affected who lose either their university of choice or their university at all because of this staggering incompetence. >> the honorable gentleman is right. it's not an acceptable situation. i've discussed it with the education secretary of state this morning who in turn who discussed it with those who are taking the toughest possible action to root out this failure to make sure it doesn't happen again. >> the prime minister will be aware that the former labour secretary of state has described current proposals on pension reform as the best chance we have to deliver a sustainable system which is fair to both scheme payers and the taxpayer but does my right honorable friend agree with me when it comes to the major long-term issues we should build the broadest possible consensus? and will he seek the consensus of both sides of the house for his consensus? >> i thank my -- the honorable

friend and the way he puts it because the point is this, i think the hutton report is a good report and this is not about attacking or down grading public sector pensions. it's about a way of making really good public sector pension affordable into the long term. and it's respecting all of the accrued rights that people have and i think we need to win the argument here on the basis of fairness that it's right for the taxpayer to put money into public sector pension but with do need to know those are affordable for the long term so the steps that lord hutton puts forward and i think is right and hope the party will put a view and recognize that we need to make the change for the long-term good of our country. >> thank you, mr. spker. 18 months ago o of my constituents required knee surgery and he was pleased he only needs to wait six weeks and he's been told he has to wait 10 months. he's understandably angrynd

was to know is this what the prime minister meant when he said the nhs was safe in his hands? >> if she gives me the individual case i will certainly take it up and look at it because the fact is we haven't changed the waiting list targets that have been in place in the nhs for a long time, in particular the 18-week target which is part of the nhs constitution. average waiting times have actually come down in recent months but the clear lesson is this, if it wasn't for this government putting in 11.5 billion pounds extra, money that the party opposite actually doesn't support, you'd see all waiting tis going up. >> mr. douglas coswell. >> on july the 18th last year, the decion to sign btain up to the eurozone bailout mechism and i quote while these decisions were taken by the previous government, this government judges them to be an appropriate response to the crisis. does this remain the government's position? >> i know my honorable friend is

pursuing this issue with his normal dogged tenacity. the facts of the case are really very clear, which is the last government in the death as it were after the election but before the new government was formed signed us up to the european financial mechanism, which we're still having to pay out under. what this government has done is actually get us out of it by tough negotiation in brussels so we won't have tormed forces and

>> i am respectful of what this gentleman said, particularly his fitting tribute to the armed forces. but we are reopening the defense review at a time when our armed forces are engaged in doing a good job. it is the wrong choice. what the defense review was all about was making sure we have flexible armed forces that can be committed to different parts of the world, with the backing they need. it was getting rid of the backing banks in germany and putting money into the armed forces of the future. libya shows it is working. i think we should stick with it. future. that's what the defense review is about. libya shows that it's working and i think we should stick with it. >> stewart andrew. >> thank you, mr. speaker. will my right honorable friend recommend the campaign of high-speed rail campaigning outside of parliament today to bring thousands of much-needed jobs to theid lds and the north to help address the north/south divide and will he confirm that it will come to

yorkshire? >> i can happily confirm all of those things. i do believe if we really are serious about trying to rebalance our economy, make sure we get growth across the country and not just in the southeast, then actually the time for high-speed rail has come and that's why it has my strong support. >> mr. wayne david. >> the secretary of state for wales has said that she is prepared to be sacked because of her opposition toigh-speed rail. will the prime minister take her on a very kind offer? >> i prefer to focus on the fact that in one year as welsh cretary she sered something that 13 years of your welsh secrety has never achieved which was the electricification of the line between paddington and cardin. >> mr. aiden burly. >> thank you, mr. speaker. an agro phobic man set up his own illegal money.