No. 10 Morning Press Briefing From 26 Oct 2007

Briefing from the Prime Minister's Spokesman on: Ed Balls, National Security Strategy, Detention Without Charge/Criminal Justice Bill and Saudi Arabian Visit

Morning press briefing from 26 October 2007

Ed Balls

Put that Ed Balls had said he spent most of his time in his constituency and asked if the Prime Minister was concerned he was not committed to his job, the Prime Minister's Spokesman (PMS) said that that was a question for DCFS and Ed Balls' spokesman.

Asked if the Prime Minister believed Ed Balls, the PMS replied that the Prime Minister thought Ed Balls was a very good Cabinet Minister.

National Security Strategy

Asked for details on the National Security Strategy; whether or not there would be a debate in the House of Commons and the country and if it would be published before Parliament, the PMS said that the expectation was that there would be a document published sometime before the end of year. We would expect it to happen while Parliament was sitting.

Detention Without Charge/Criminal Justice Bill

Asked for an update re the situation on detention without charge and whether or not we were waiting for an amendment on the Criminal Justice Bill, the PMS said essentially, yes. The Prime Minister made a statement regarding this in July where he set out a number of options including doubling the period up to 56 days. There was an ongoing consultation ahead of any legislation that may emerge in the next session.

Asked if there would be a separate bill, the PMS said that in the list of Draft Bills, which were published in the Draft Queen's Speech, there was a separate Counter Terrorism Bill.

Saudi Arabian Visit

Asked what to expect from the Saudi Arabian visit next week, the PMS said that there was not much to say at this point. There was a state visit from the King of Saudi Arabia; obviously they were an important ally for us and next week would be an opportunity to take stock of bilateral issues.

Asked if the Prime Minister would be raising any human rights issues with the King of Saudi Arabia next week, the PMS said that the Prime Minister would be raising whatever issues he considered to be relevant and important.

Asked if the Prime Minister had brought up the subject of human rights with President Erdogan on Tuesday, the PMS said there had been an opportunity to ask the Prime Minister questions at the press conference. He went on to say that the main issue discussed was the security situation in south-eastern Turkey.

ENDS

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