The Prime Minister, Tony Blair, has spent his final question time of the year again defending his Paymaster General, Geoffrey Robinson.

The Conservative leader, William Hague, for the first time called on Mr Robinson to resign his ministerial post.

The BBC Political Correspondent Nicholas Jones reports on the latest Conservative offensive (Dur 1:36)

Tony Blair defended Mr Robinson in Parliament saying he had stuck to the minister's code, without receiving a salary.

But Mr Hague asked if he would agree with the Deputy Prime Minister's observation that Mr Robinson had done one thing and said another.

"If a conflict of interest is not a resigning matter in this Government, is gross hypocrisy?" he asked.

Mr Blair denied the interpretation of John Prescott's remark. He said forcing Mr Robinson out would only discourage business people from entering politics.

He said no one could accuse Mr Robinson of any wrongdoing.

"It is simply incorrect to say my right honourable friend sought to avoid UK tax," he told the House of Commons.

Robinson: Enjoys the PM's support

He faced further attacks on the issue from Mr Hague and other Tory MPs who said Mr Robinson's offshore trusts represent a conflict of interests.

Mr Hague's comments came after an opening dig at the Conservatives from the Labour benches on donations to political parties.

Mr Blair welcomed the decision of the Committee on Standards in Public Life to ask for the annual total given to political parties.

He said: "It is important they get all the information they need. They have written to all parties asking for information going back to 1992. I think that is entirely right and we shall provide them with the information they need."

Hague: His last PMQs as a bachelor

The sparring did stop briefly, though, as the Prime Minister congratulated Mr Hague on his wedding.

The opposition leader, who marries on Friday, quipped: "Just as his honeymoon is coming to an end, mine is about to begin."

The Labour rebels, who voted for a motion criticising the Government's single parents benefits cuts last week, failed to take advantage of their first subsequent opportunity to quiz Mr Blair on his plans for welfare reform and disabled benefits.

One question of the beef crisis also brought a terse response from the Prime Minister.

"We are dealing with a £4bn legacy left by the incompetence the last Government engendered and we will not take advice from them on the crisis," he said.

The Liberal Democrat leader, Paddy Ashdown, offered the House an end of the year report on the Government, who took office in May.

To shouts of "Grovel, grovel," he said: "Made good progress in some areas could be a fair comment, but could do better next year in other areas."
 

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