ePolitix.com briefing: PMQs

Nick Clegg (Lib Dem, Sheffield Hallam) criticised the government's record on climate change. Skip related content

The Liberal Democrat leader said Brown had done "far too little, far too late" on the environment.

He said total carbon emissions and air travel had risen during his time in government.

Plans to build a third runway at Heathrow and more coal-fired power plants were a mistake, he added.

And he condemned the prime ministers refusal to let Labour MPs vote in favour of the '10:10' environment campaign.

The prime minister defended his record.

He said the UK had met its Kyoto targets, and had been the first country to introduce climate change legislation.

The government was committed to "radical cuts to emissions in the short and long term," he added.

Stephen Hepburn (Lab, Jarrow) asked that the prime minister to ensure that any announcement by the justice secretary on pleural plaques ensured a commitment to compensate victims from "past, present and future."

Brown said that those who end up suffering from asbestosis suffer from one of the most painful diseases imaginable".

It was important to get a resolution soon, he added.

Patricia Hewitt (Lab, Leicester West) welcomed the state visit of the president of India to Britain.

She called on the prime minister to use it as an opportunity to strengthen the relationship between the two countries.

Brown said the visit was a sign of the growing strategic partnership between India and the UK.

"Relations will grow stronger as we develop closer educational and cultural links," he told MPs.

Terry Rooney (Lab, Bedford North) called on the prime minister to give grandparents who looked after their grandchildren full time practical financial support.

Brown said that from 2011 grandparents who look after grandchildren would get national insurance credits.

There would be a Green paper on the subject in next few months, he told MPs.

John Baron (Con, Billericay) raised concerns about the recent fraud-ridden Afghan presidential election.

"Troops provide time and space but not a political solution, what lessons has he learnt from the period for the election run off?" he asked.

The prime minister told the Commons that NATO had to ensure there were sufficient election monitors in place as well as sufficient security.

"We want to split the Taliban ideologues from the others and reconcile where possible," he added.

"Our role is to be there to build up the Afghan military and police."

Alun Michael (Lab, Cardiff South and Penarth) said British canals had been" turned around" from being a "drain on our nations resources" to being a national asset.

He asked for assurances that British Waterways was not seen as an asset to be sold off.

The prime minister said new investment in British Waterways had been very important to guaranteeing its future.

Bob Spink (Ind, Castle Point) called for Ghurkhas to be given the same pension rights as other British soldiers.

He also congratulated the Royal British Legion on its 75th anniversary.

Brown said the government would look at the case put on the Ghurkhas, but noted it was the subject of a High Court case.

Stephen Pound (Lab, Stephen Pound) said many in the African-Caribbean community were "deeply distressed" by the "arbitrary and illogical" increase in air passenger duty.

Brown acknowledged that taxation of air fuel duty had been a "vexed matter."

Daniel Kawczynski (Con, Shrewsbury and Atcham) accused the prime minister of "outsourcing" his responsibility to carry out an inquiry into the Lockerbie bombing to the Scottish Parliament

The prime minister said the bombing had been a "terrible crime" which would never be forgotten.

But he said it was for the Scottish authorities to pursue any new leads.

Chris Ruane (Lab, Vale of Clwyd) attacked the Conservative Party for leaving the European Peoples Party group in the European Parliament.

He said it was in British interests for political parties to be members of "sensible mainstream parties".

Brown said it was "amazing" that the Conservatives had left the centre-right group in order to set up a faction that could only be described as "extremist".

The Conservatives will regret isolating themselves in Europe, he predicted.

David Evennett (Con, Bexleyheath and Crayford) asked what the purpose of a president of the European Union was.

Brown said that the government would be "very happy" to support Tony Blair as president of the European Council if the position was created.

Tom Watson (Lab, West Bromwich East) said consumers were being "ripped off" by phone companies hidden charges.

He pointed to EDM 1531 which had the support of the unions Unite and Amicus, the Royal College of Nursing, and some phone operators.

The prime minster said the regulator Ofcom was looking at this matter.

Bill Wiggin (Con, Leominster) said green energy companies were facing extra costs due to the micro generation certification scheme.

Brown insisted that no other government was doing more to promote low carbon industries

Gwyn Prosser (Lab, Dover) asked when the employment and training package would come into effect which would help expand the merchant navy fleet.

Brown said that shipping was competitive global industry, and the government had done a lot to protect the British merchant navy.

Graham Stuart (Con, Beverley and Holderness) called on the prime minister to meet with UK representatives to the international 'Globe' summit that brought together legislators from around the world to discuss climate change.

Brown said what was needed was progress from both China and America for a climate change deal.

Stuart Bell (Lab, Middlesbrough) raised the issue of MPs expenses.

He asked what the "next steps" would be following the publication of the Kelly review on November 4.

The prime minister said that the Kelly review would be presented to the Commons as a statement next Wednesday.

The implementation would be a matter for the independent parliamentary standards authority, he added.

Stephen Williams (Lib Dem, Bristol West) asked the prime minister to urge the transport secretary to introduce an integrated transport authority in Bristol.

Brown said the government was investing more in transport than ever before.

He said he had not seen Bristol proposal, but would look at it.

Clive Efford (Lab, Eltham) commended Brown for pledging to personally attend the climate change summit in Copenhagen.

Brown said the Conservatives were "anxious" over the issue as they had come out against wind renewables and nuclear power which were "key" to reducing the UK's carbon emissions.

David Heathcoat-Amory ( Con, Wells) asked the prime minister to express his support for the "dark skies" campaign by ensuring all government buildings dimmed their lights at night.

Brown said everyone had responsibility to save electricity and all government departments should be involved in doing so.