Prime Minister's Questions

Blair faces questions from 1200 BST

Tony Blair has faced questions on Iraq, rail services and global trade rules in the weekly session of Prime Minister's Questions.

On this page BBC News Online's Nick Assinder presents his instant verdict on the clash and, below, there is point-by-point coverage of the entire session.

Tony Blair might be a past master at accentuating the positive, but trying to put a good light on the disaster which is the country's transport system is too much even for him.

Still, he did his best during a question time which saw Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith hitting a major nerve.

Mr Duncan Smith, as usual, came armed with a sheaf of facts, notably that rail services are now twice as bad as they were when Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott described them as a "national disgrace" in 1998.

Soundbites

Just about everybody and his dog - and that includes the CBI and even Transport Secretary Alistair Darling - recognises Britain's transport infrastructure is a national joke.

The prime minister trotted out the usual soundbites about record investment.

It is a perfectly reasonable answer, but unlike the Tories cry that "no one believes a word he says", it gains nothing from perpetual repetition.

Then he fell back on the lamest of all political excuses - particularly for a government that has been in power for six years - that it was all the Tories fault.

And MPs would have every right to be infuriated at the way Tony Blair dismissed questions about where he stands on fox hunting.

To go to Prime Minister's questions and say "I have nothing further to add" is not really playing the game. Some would say it was verging on the contemptuous.

What surprised everyone, though, was that instead of following through with questions about Iraq or beleaguered children's minister Margaret Hodge, Mr Duncan Smith then went on the attack over free trade.

Attack

On the surface it looked like an attempt to repaint the Tories as caring and concerned about the world's poor.

The way he couched it, however, allowed it to be portrayed as a thinly disguised attack on the EU for outgunning poorer countries in trade talks.

There were pointed questions on Iraq and the central issue of weapons of mass destruction. Notably, once again, from Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy.

And there was a question about Ms Hodge's suitability for her job, which drew pretty strong support for her from the prime minister.

There is a feeling that this story may have a way to run yet, however.

But, for the second week running, Tony Blair just did not seem to have the spark or aggression he normally displays.

Maybe it is all starting to get to him.

Point-by-point coverage:

1201 BST: Lib Dem Annette Brook asks about progress in search for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.

Mr Blair says the Iraq survey group has started work and that its findings will be made available to the public.

Mr Blair is asked about the future of mining communities.

The prime minister says energy policy is constantly under review and the concerns raised would be examined.

1202 BST: Iain Duncan Smith asks about train punctuality.

Mr Blair sets out plans to double public investment in the railways.

But the Tory leader says services have deteriorated with one in five services running late.

1204 BST: Mr Blair says the railways suffered from years of under-investment. He says the government is addressing that problem.

Mr Duncan Smith says it is another case of the government blaming everyone else when it fails.

1205 BST: He mocks Labour's campaign song, saying "things are only getting worse" under Labour.

1206 BST: But Mr Blair says a "catastrophic" privatisation by the last Tory government was to blame for the problems.

Labour MP Richard Burden says there is concern about jobs being lost among Alstom workers in his constituency.

1207 BST: Mr Blair says discussions are continuing with the company but that ultimately it is a decision for Alstom.

1208 BST: Charles Kennedy asks about the claim that a document on Iraq was "sexed up".

Mr Blair says the allegation is "totally untrue".

1209 BST: Mr Kennedy says Mr Blair should appear before MPs examining the allegations.

Mr Blair says the government is co-operating fully with the committee.

1210 BST: Michael Clapham says no further coal mines should be closed.

1211 BST: Mr Blair says he cannot give that assurance.

James Clappison raises concerns among the rural community about a possible hunting ban.

1212 BST: Mr Blair says it is for the House of Lords to now examine the bill.

Labour MP Louise Ellman says peace in the Middle East can only be achieved if hatred directed against Jews is ended.

1213 BST: Mr Blair says it is important to get the peace process underway and there has to be an end to hatred on all sides.

Iain Duncan Smith raises calls for a shake-up of trade rules to help poorer countries.

1214 BST: Mr Blair says he agrees that tariffs hurting poorer countries should be lifted.

He says there should also be increased aid, and said Labour has reversed previous Tory policies on aid.

1215 BST: The Tory leader says there should be a new body to act as advocates for poorer countries.

He says Mr Blair has agreed with his suggestion - but says the idea had been dismissed by an international development minister.

The Tory leader says it is a U-turn by Mr Blair.

1216 BST: But Mr Blair attacks the Tory record on aid, saying it is Labour which is leading the way on increasing aid.

1217 BST: Parmjit Dhanda calls on Mr Blair to pay tribute to the role played by scientists.

Mr Blair says scientific research is vital to the UK. He says budgets for research have been increased.

1218 BST: Andrew Robathan accuses John Prescott of criticising the armed forces.

But Mr Blair says Labour is backing the armed forces by not cutting defence spending - unlike the Tories.

1219 BST: Ian Davidson MP highlights a lobby by the Trade Justice Movement urging more help for the developing world.

1220 BST: Mr Blair says the government will seek to win a better deal for poorer countries at the next meeting of the World Trade Organisation.

1221 BST: Andrew Rossindell asks whether it was wise to appoint Margaret Hodge as children's minister in the light of her alleged failure to act over child abuse cases while leader of Islington council.

1222 BST: Mr Blair said Ms Hodge had done much she and the government could be proud of.

Mark Tami urges Mr Blair to speak to the Spanish authorities over road safety following the death of a constituent.

The prime minister said he would do so.

1223 BST: Alan Reid MP asks about difficulties faced by pensioners dealing with post office accounts.

Mr Blair says the accounts are publicised positively and that investment is being made in doing so.

1224 BST: Mark Todd says plans to clamp down on anti-social behaviour should have received wider support in the Commons.

Mr Blair says it was "extraordinary" that the Lib Dems failed to back some of the measures.

He said the bill will make a big difference in dealing with anti-social behaviour.

Peter Luff asks about school funding in Worcestershire.

1227 BST: Mr Blair insists funding for schools is increasing.

The prime minister is asked about support for seaside towns in the UK.

He says a great deal of investment is being made in terms of helping such areas.

George Osborne MP asks for reviews by the CPS of all cases where mothers are accused of murdering their children.

Mr Blair says he understands the concern about cases where mothers accused of such crimes have subsequently been cleared and says a review of CPS procedures is being conducted.

Mike Hall MP asks about people using motor bikes illegally.

1229 BST: Mr Blair says it is a matter of concern for many MPs. He says police will now have the power to confiscate bikes used in such circumstances.

1230 BST: Bill Wiggin asks Mr Blair to look into cases of delays in cardiac care in the NHS.

Mr Blair says he will do so, but points out cuts in such delays.