Morning press briefing from 27 February 2008
Briefing from the Prime Minister's Spokesman on: House of Parliament protest, hostages in Iraq, windfall tax and DNA database
Houses of Parliament Protest
Asked whether the Prime Minister had any views about the protest taking place, the Prime Minister's Spokesman (PMS) told the assembled press that we would not be commenting on this particular incident. The Government's general position on Heathrow was that there was an ongoing consultation on the third runway that would close today. The Government supported a third runway at Heathrow in principle, provided strict local, environmental and noise conditions were met.
Asked repeatedly whether the Prime Minster was satisfied with the security of the House, the PMS replied that he would not be commenting on this particular incident. It was not clear what the full facts were at this point and it was a matter for the Parliamentary authorities.
Put that the protesters were saying that the consultation had been rigged to push a third runway through, the PMS said that anyone who had followed the issue of Heathrow expansion would find it difficult not to reach the conclusion that it hadn't been anything other than a very lengthy and thorough consultation. We did want to balance the desired expansion with proper environmental safeguards, but it was worth bearing in mind that there had been no new full-length runway built in the south-east since the extension to Gatwick in the 1950's. In contrast, other European airports had expanded; Schippel airport and Charles de Gaul airport now operated five and four runways respectively and a fourth runway was planned for Frankfurt.
Asked if the Prime Minister would talk to the House authorities on the matter of security, the PMS said it was a matter for the House authorities and it was up to them to establish what had happened in this instance. It was for them to decide what action, if any, was necessary.
Hostages in Iraq
Asked whether the Prime Minister was still confident of the release of all British hostages in Iraq, the PMS replied that it was a very sensitive issue and we had to choose our words carefully. There was nothing he could add to the statement issued this morning.
Put that the hostage takers had talked of nine Iraqi's being held in custody and were those Iraqi's being held in British custody, the PMS said that people should check with the Foreign Office.
Windfall Tax
Asked whether the Government had any plans to introduce a windfall tax on energy companies, the PMS said that it was a matter for the Treasury.
Asked if the Prime Minister was concerned that energy companies were making excessive profits, the PMS said that Alistair Darling had spoken on behalf of the Government on this issue in the past. OFGEM were currently looking into this matter.
DNA Database
Put that the European Court of Human Rights was considering a case to limit the number of samples on the DNA database, the PMS said that the Prime Minister thought that the DNA database had been shown in recent days to be a very useful and effective tool in the fight against crime.
Asked whether the Prime Minister was anxious that there was no limit put on the number of DNA samples, the PMS said that the Prime Minister was happy with the current position on the DNA database.
Asked whether the Prime Minister would like to see everyone on the DNA database from birth, the PMS said that the Prime Minister's view was that the DNA database was a very important tool in the fight against crime. It had contributed to a significant number of convictions, particularly in relation to very serious offences, such as murder and rape. There was always going to be a debate on these matters, but that would clearly be quite a big step.
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