Prime Minister's Questions

Tony Blair appeared as a prime minister in control

Conservative leader Michael Howard tackled the prime minister on Europe and the health service.

He suggested the government's "red lines" on the EU were merely "red herrings".

But the prime minister gave him short shrift and poked fun at his flight to the Independence Party's position.

Tony Blair was also quick to dispense with the Liberal Democrat leader's suggestions about global warming.

Questions

Bill Wiggin wanted to know what was going to be done for road safety in the light of a serious road traffic accident in his constituency last week.
The prime minister said he would look into it.

Dennis Turner (Wolverhampton South East, Labour) praised Labour's performance in local elections in his constituency.
The prime minister joined in the praise and attributed the success to the progress in public services made by the Labour Government.

Michael Howard (Folkestone & Hythe, Conservative) asked if the PM intended to say "no" to the European constitution at a meeting this week, because that's what he would do on behalf of the UK. He said he wanted to return powers to the UK from Brussels.
The prime minister said it was in Britain's national interest to remain at the centre of European decision-making. He explained it would be impossible to renegotiate the treaty without withdrawing from the European project altogether, but that the UK did retain some form of veto.

Andrew Miller (Ellesmere Port & Neston, Labour) spoke in favour of the work of his local NHS based on personal experience.
The prime minister said many people were tired of continual criticism of the NHS and reeled off its improvements - in investment and reform - under Labour.

Charles Kennedy (Ross Skye & Inverness West, Liberal Democrat) called for greater EU controls on greenhouse gas emissions. He highlighted the importance of the UK leading Europe and the World in promoting a comprehensive green policy, including reducing air travel.
The prime minister said his government had already made progress on this - through the deputy prime minister. He said it was also important to encourage investment into alternatives and it was easy for Mr Kennedy to suggest policies he would never have to implement.

Christine Russell (City of Chester, Labour) asked for the PM's support for affordable housing, especially on brownfield sites.
The prime minister agreed and said housing supply was already increasing on brownfield sites.

Michael Howard (Folkestone & Hythe, Conservative) was concerned about geographical differences in NHS care provision. He suggested the Conservative alternative of a "Patient Passport".
The prime minister praised the expansion of choice in the NHS and disputed the benefits of the Conservative view. He said if the NHS was the battleground the Opposition wanted to fight on against the government, he was confident the public would prefer the Labour option.

Mike Gapes (Ilford South, Labour Co-op) highlighted divisions in his local council's Conservative Party, which had produced a Labour leadership.
The prime minister was interested to hear about this specific example of Conservative in-fighting.

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold, Conservative) was worried about the lack of NHS dentists in Gloucestershire.
The prime minister found it surprising Conservatives continued to berate the under-investment in the NHS, claiming it was a problem the government inherited from the previous Conservative administration.

John MacDougall (Central Fife, Labour) raised the problem of sunstance abuse among the young.
The prime minister acknowledged the problem and pointed to a consultation to address the problems. He said new anti-social behaviour measures would also help to address these challenges.

John Bercow (Buckingham, Conservative) spoke of a talented Thalidomide victim in his constituency and asked for all payments from the Thalidomide Trust to be tax free.
The prime minister expressed his admiration for the constituent and said the decision to grant tax-free status rested on a variety of other concerns.

Ian Lucas (Wrexham, Labour) wondered about the effect of withdrawing from the EU on a new photo-voltaic factory to be placed in his constituency.
The prime minister reiterated the importance of membership of the EU on the economy.

Andrew Murrison (Westbury, Conservative) wanted to know if the PM still agreed to the banning of toxic industrial waste burning in his constituency.
The prime minister said it was important to respect the decisions of an independent Environment Agency.

Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield, Labour) called for a cross-party agreement to secure open and credible opinion polling.
The prime minister said it was a good point and said the Labour chairman would take the matter up with the chairs of the other parties.

Mark Simmonds (Boston & Skegness, Conservative) condemned the football violence in Portugal - which included members of his constituency - and suggested there might have been less disorder if there had not been cuts in funding to the police force in his constituency.
The prime minister rejected linking the hooliganism to domestic cuts in police spending. He said there were plans to deal with this kind of behaviour and condemned the violence, reminding the House that the perpetrators were a minority.

David Clelland (Tyne Bridge, Labour) asked for further help to provide drugs treatment to more people suffering from diseases like cancer.
The prime minister said decisions on which drugs were distributed were made by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence.

John Baron (Billericay, Conservative) raised the matter of recruiting illegal immigrants or non-registered individuals to the NHS.
The prime minister said there were guidelines in place and the example he cited was an anomoly.

Patrick Hall (Bedford, Labour) suggested an expansion of the speed camera programme in light of new figures revealing reductions in road deaths.
The prime minister said the policy of employing speed cameras wherever there would be appreciable benefits for road safety was the right one.

Tony Baldry (Banbury, Conservative) questioned what the PM means by "choice" in relation to reforming the NHS.
The prime minister explained the government's policy was that where there was the capacity to receive treatment, with less waiting, elsewhere then it was possible to choose to go elsewhere.

Geraldine Smith (Morecambe & Lunesdale, Labour) criticised the image of Britons as anti-European and the need to build confidence in the EU by reducing inefficiency and bureaucracy.
The prime minister reiterated that the best way to improve the EU was to be at the centre of it.

You can watch prime minister's questions on Wednesday 16 June at 2330 BST and throughout that night.