Briefing from the Prime Minister’s Spokesman on: Russia, Iraq Report, First Minister, Naturalisation, Prime Minister and Police Inquiry
Russia
Asked if there was any further movement on Russia, the Prime Minster’s Spokesman (PMS) said that there was nothing further to say, but that people should keep in touch with the FCO.
Iraq report
Asked if we had any comment to make on the Iraq report coming out of Washington, the PMS replied as President Bush was still speaking we wouldn’t be commenting.
First Minister
Asked how much the Prime Minister was looking forward to meeting the First Minister, the PMS said that he was not able to comment on individual meetings, but he always looked forward to his meetings with the First Minister. The PMS added that they were in contact and had had several discussions, as there had been a good degree of co-operation over the Glasgow terror attacks.
Naturalisation
Put that the Daily Mail had reported today that a million people had obtain naturalisation since 1997, was this something we welcomed, and what did they contribute to the economy, the PMS replied that applications to British citizenship fell by 32% in 2006, mainly due to the introduction on 1st November 2005 of the new requirement for the applicant to demonstrate a knowledge of life in the UK, as well as their English language ability.
Asked if the EU accession of member states would have had an impact, the PMS said that he had not personally done the analysis, but there was a sharp fall last year which was due to the new English language requirements.
Asked if overall the Prime Minister welcomed that a million people had sought and obtained naturalisation rights here, the PMS said that as the Prime Minister had made clear many times before, the principle of controlled migration had had a benefit to the UK economy.
Prime Minister
Asked if there was any new information about "grace and favour" homes, the PMS replied that there was not.
Asked if the Prime Minister had started to use Chequers yet, the PMS said that he had not.
Police Inquiry
Asked whether there was any reason for Downing Street to be informed or consulted, the PMS replied that he had no information on the issue at all.
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