Briefing from the Prime Minister’s Official Spokesman on: Science Seminar, Cabinet, Iraq, Gibraltar, Asylum Bill, Northern Ireland, Sir William Stubbs, Fire Dispute and Glasgow Train Drivers.
Science Seminar
The Prime Minister’s Official Spokesman (PMOS) advised journalists that the Prime Minister was hosting a science seminar in Downing Street this afternoon which would be attended by David King and four scientists from Cambridge University. The meeting would focus in particular on nano-science (the science of molecules which offered great potential in the fight against cancer, on new forms of IT blending computers with voice and video communications, and on life sciences). The Prime Minister believed that it was important to continue investing in science if we were going to produce the next Darwin or Hawkins.
Cabinet
The PMOS said that the Prime Minister had chaired cabinet this morning. Given today was the last day of the current parliamentary session, there had been an update on the Government’s legislative programme.
Iraq
Regarding the tabling yesterday of the draft UN Resolution on Iraq, the PMOS said the Prime Minister had told Cabinet that he recognised that we were not quite there yet in terms of reaching an agreement. We were still not certain whether that would happen today, tomorrow, or even on Monday. However, he had praised the efforts of Jack Straw and the diplomats at the UN, led by Sir Jeremy Greenstock, who had all been working very hard. Mr Straw had told Ministers that he believed the draft Resolution was very satisfactory because it would be very effective. The Prime Minister had also emphasised two points. First, that the priority here was disarmament. Secondly, that if the Resolution was passed, people should not think that that was the end of the matter. On the contrary. It would only be the beginning. Not only did Saddam have to let the Weapons Inspectors back into Iraq, but this time he had to fully co-operate with them. No one was under-estimating the testing times ahead given Saddam Hussein’s track record on this issue.
Asked if the Prime Minister was satisfied with the draft’s suggestion as to who would make the final judgement on whether Saddam had breached the terms of the new Resolution, the PMOS said that the Prime Minister was completely satisfied with the draft Resolution and the path laid out in it whereby the Weapons Inspectors would return to Iraq and report back to the UN on their findings, following which the Security Council would discuss the matter. That was exactly as it should be. Asked how long the discussion might be, the PMOS said that it was a matter for the UN. Journalists should take things one step at a time. We did not yet have an agreed Resolution. Once it was passed, Saddam would need to agree to all its terms. We did not anticipate that to be problem because in the past he had indicated his intention to co-operate. The real test was whether he would actually co-operate and fulfil all the conditions outlined in the Resolution, which was very detailed because of the Weapons Inspectors’ experiences in the past.
Asked if we would agree with a US suggestion that we should bring out Iraqis and their families and protect them if they were willing to oppose Saddam Hussein, the PMOS pointed to paragraph 5 of the draft Resolution which stated that UNMOVIC and the IAEA "may at their discretion conduct interviews inside or outside of Iraq, may facilitate the travel of those interviewed and family members outside of Iraq, and that, at the sole discretion of UNMOVIC and the IAEA, such interviews may occur without the presence of observers from the Iraqi Government".
Asked if Cabinet had discussed the possibility of military action against Iraq, the PMOS said there had been a consensus that the draft Resolution was highly satisfactory and that it was an effective way to deal with Iraq. He underlined that our aim from the outset had been to disarm Saddam Hussein. We wanted to eradicate the threat from Iraq’s Weapons of Mass Destruction. We hoped that could be achieved through the UN process. However, Saddam had to understand that if he did not comply and co-operate fully, then he would have to face the consequences.
Questioned about the possibility of a second Resolution if Saddam Hussein was found to have breached the terms of the first one, the PMOS cautioned journalists against getting too ahead of themselves. The important point was that the draft Resolution which had been tabled yesterday set out a very clear path for both us and Saddam. If the Weapons Inspectors discovered that Saddam was not complying with his obligations, the Resolution stated that they should report their findings to the UN who would discuss the issue.
In answer to questions about the 60-day deadline as set out in the draft Resolution, the PMOS said that the timescale of the process had been laid down clearly in the text in such a way as to give Saddam time to comply. The timescale was necessary given Saddam’s obfuscation and delaying tactics in the past. Asked what would happen if Saddam did not comply within the specified timeframe, the PMOS said that we would deal with that issue if and when we needed to.
Gibraltar
The PMOS said that the Cabinet had also discussed Gibraltar today. Jack Straw had once again underlined that any proposals which we came up with would be put to the people of Gibraltar.
Asked about the status of the negotiations over Gibraltar, the PMOS said that they had been paused for several months. Asked when they might resume, the PMOS said he couldn’t point to any specific date at this stage.
Asylum Bill
Asked where we were on the Asylum Bill in light of the defeat in the Lords last night, the PMOS said that David Blunkett had briefed colleagues on the issue at Cabinet this morning. First and foremost, the Government retained its absolute determination to get the Bill onto the statute books so that other countries would be able to see that we too were serious about dealing with the issue. If we were going to convince the French Government, for example, to take action on Sangatte and ask them to put in place more police officers and immigration officers to tackle the problems - as indeed they had done, then we too needed to be serious about tackling the issue. Unfortunately, some of the amendments which had been put down last night were found to be unworkable. However, if people had other workable alternatives, then of course the Home Office would be willing to look at them. In the meantime, we remained determined and confident that we would be able to get the Bill through.
Questioned about the Government’s policy on asylum accommodation centres, the PMOS said it was important for people to recognise that such centres worked inasmuch as they dealt with asylum cases more quickly and more effectively.
Northern Ireland
Asked for a reaction to news of the arrest of a civil servant working in David Trimble and Mark Durkan’s office at the Northern Ireland Assembly, who allegedly was illicitly supplying information to other people, the PMOS said that Paul Murphy would be responding to the reports on behalf of the Government. Obviously there were legal sensitivities which we had to be observe. However, in our view these kinds of allegations were disturbing and serious. The police had our full support in investigating the allegations and pursuing the evidence wherever it took them. The arrest underlined the Prime Minister’s determination, as set out in his speech in Belfast last month, to address all these issues in order to allow trust to be re-established.
Asked if there was any inquiry into the ‘quality’ of the Security Services in Northern Ireland, the PMOS said that following the original allegations, the Northern Ireland Office had announced they were setting up an inquiry. That was still ongoing and should report back shortly.
Sir William Stubbs
Asked what action might be taken against DJ Collins, a Special Advisor at the Department for Education and Skills, in light of Sir William Stubbs’ allegations against him, the PMOS said that the DfES had already made it clear that they believed Sir William’s claims were completely unsubstantiated and had no evidence to back them up.
Fire Dispute
Asked for a reaction to the decision by airport fire-fighters to strike, the PMOS said that negotiations were continuing with the FBU leaders, which we welcomed. We had set out our position on pay and modernisation many times in the past. Questioned as to whether the Deputy Prime Minister had any plans to get involved again in light of the fact that the talks appeared to have broken down last night, the PMOS said that it was a matter for the employers and the FBU. We were, however, continuing to watch the situation very carefully.
Glasgow Train Drivers
Asked if the Prime Minister thought that the decision to sack a number of Glasgow train drivers for their strike action yesterday was an excellent example which should be followed elsewhere, the PMOS said that it was not a matter for him as it was a local dispute.
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