Briefing from the Prime Minister’s Official Spokesperson on: Pope’s Funeral, Election Date, Peter Mandelson visit, Government Aid to MG Rover, WMS on Asylum and Gambling Bill.
Pope’s Funeral
Asked if the Prime Minister would attend the Pope’s funeral, the Prime Minister’s Official Spokesman said people should wait for the facts. The PMOS said the Cardinals were holding a meeting, and we would let people know what the decision would be if we had to make one.
Asked if that meant that the Prime Minster was not committed "come what may" to attend the Royal Wedding, the PMOS said he thought that might be the next question, but since there had been no announcement from the Vatican regarding the funeral, we had nothing more to say.
Asked if the Prime Minister would be taking part in the Vespers service, the PMOS said he was attending the service only.
Asked what the Prime Minister’s attitude to the Pope’s funeral was, and would he like to attend, the PMOS said the Prime Minister had summed up his views about the Pope’s life and his contribution to the world in the statement that was issued on Saturday night, and in the words the Prime Minister spoke yesterday. They reflected the significance that the Prime Minister gave to the Pope’s death.
Asked again that it was not an "absolute given" that the Prime Minister would attend the Royal Wedding, the PMOS said again that it was better to wait for the facts.
Put to him again that people would understand if the Prime Minister went to the wedding of the future Head of the Church of England, the PMOS repeated that we should wait and see.
Asked if the Prime Minister did attend the funeral, would Mrs. Blair also attend, the PMOS said it was better to wait and see, and we would then announce the facts.
Asked when making his decision about the funeral, would the Prime Minister take into account the sensitivities of the Anglican Church members, the PMOS said the Prime Minister was fully aware of the sensitivities of everyone in the country. The PMOS advised people not to get ahead of themselves, and to wait and see instead what would be announced from the Vatican.
Asked if a Prime Minister went to the last Pope’s funeral (John Paul I), the PMOS replied that an Ambassador to the Vatican had attended.
Asked if it was customary for The Queen to attend Heads of States’ funerals, the PMOS said that the Palace should speak for the Palace.
Asked if Prince Charles would attend the funeral, the PMOS said he could think of many answers, but the best one would be for Clarence House to answer that one!!
Election Date
Asked when the Prime Minister seeks a dissolution of Parliament from The Queen, did the first full statement come from the Palace, the PMOS said whatever was custom and practice would happen.
Peter Mandelson visit
Asked to shed any light on Peter Mandelson’s visit to No10 last week, the PMOS said we did not comment on everyone who came through the door at No10, as otherwise we would never be finished!
Government Aid to MG Rover
Asked for further information on the reporting in the Sunday papers that the Permanent Secretary of the DTI was opposing a grant to Rover on the basis that it would not be money well spent, the PMOS said that as the DTI had made clear throughout this process, the Government had done all it could to support the joint venture. There was a team of DTI officials in China who were holding discussions with the SIAC, and we were in touch with the Chinese Government. If a deal was looking likely, both MG Rover and SIAC were aware that the Government would consider the option of providing a bridging loan. If the loan were to be offered, it would be provided on strict criteria to ensure the proper use of tax payers’ money, and would be fully repayable. We would comply with EU state rules over the repayment period.
WMS on Asylum
Asked for further information on the Written Ministerial Statement on asylum and immigration, the PMOS directed the journalist to the Home Office.
Gambling Bill
Asked about the status of the Gambling Bill, and what was the Government’s intention regarding it, the PMOS replied that the intention was, as with all legislation, that the Government put it forward because it believed that the measures were right and necessary, and the Government believed that continued to be the case. The Government remained fully committed to all its legislation.
Asked if it remained fully committed to the same degree to the Gambling Bill, the PMOS said it did.
Put to the PMOS that if it was fully committed to all its legislation, why was it calling a general election, the PMOS said the journalist was making presumptions that he was not going to address.
Asked if the Government expected the Inquiries Bill to make it through to all its final stages, the PMOS repeated that we remained fully committed to all legislation.
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