Afternoon press briefing from 8 March 2010

Briefing by the Prime Minister’s spokesman on: Billy Elliot bursaries, Afghanistan, Somali President, Iraq Inquiry, Venables and the Senior Salaries Report

Billy Elliot bursaries

Asked how much money each individual would get, the Prime Minister’s Spokesperson (PMS) told the assembled press that 40 interns would share 600,000 over two years.

Put that this was far below the minimum wage, the PMS said, it wasn’t directly comparable as this was a bursary scheme.

Asked if 7,500 per year was enough to support these individuals, the PMS said, anything that helps to encourage young talent was welcome.

Afghanistan

Asked when the Prime Minister’s visit to Afghanistan was organised, the PMS said, operational detail is not divulged but that the PM was always planning to go to visit the troops in mid-March.

Somali President

Asked how long the President of Somalia would be visiting the UK, the PMS told the press they should ask the Foreign Office.

Asked if the Chandler kidnapping case would be discussed in meetings with the President, the PMS said, he would be surprised if it wasn’t raised.

Iraq Inquiry

Asked if there were to be any comment following Bill Jeffrey’s evidence at the Iraq Inquiry about the defence budget, the PMS replied that the Prime Minister has said all he is going to say at the inquiry on Friday. The PMS explained the three points the PM made; that core defence spending rose, an extra 8bn was spent on Iraq War on top of the allocated defence budget and the Treasury approved every request for extra funding when the PM was Chancellor, stating the same is also true for Afghanistan.

Venables

Asked if there was anything further to add on the statement to be given to the House of Commons by Justice Secretary Jack Straw, the PMS said, it wouldn’t be appropriate to comment whilst the Justice Secretary was on his feet addressing the House.

Senior Salaries Report

Asked what Alistair Darling had stated about such salaries, the PMS said, the Chancellor expected there to be significant restraint in general in public sector pay.

http://www.number10.gov.uk/Page22742

seen at 08:01, 10 March in Number 10 » News Stories.