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ePolitix.com: PMQs briefing

Phone-hacking, the Eurozone and tuition fees were among the issues raised by backbenchers at PMQs today. Duncan Hames (Lib Dem, Chippenham) asked about allegations against News Corp. He said: "Secretly deleting voicemails left for a missing teenager, buying the silence of public figures who would incriminate your business, and publishing the confidential medical details of a disabled child who just happens to have a famous father. "I ask you, are any of these the actions of a fit and proper person?" In response, the prime minister said there is a "firestorm" engulfing part of the media and the victims must be considered. The government will make doubly sure to get to the bottom of this. David Ward (Lab, Bradford East) asked about rising car insurance premiums that have been driven higher by insurance companies. The prime minister said he hopes to make progress on this issue. Ian Lucas (Lab, Wrexham) asked the prime minister if he would give evidence towards a judicial led inquiry on phone hacking. The prime minister said he would set out details of the inquiry in the later statement. Matthew Hancock (Con, West Suffolk) asked if the prime minister intended to keep the UK out of the Eurozone. In response, prime minister said that being part of the Euro would take away flexibility. He said that Eurozone countries must act faster to deal with the economic crisis. Mary Glindon (Labour, North Tyneside) said that Lib Dem peer Lord Ashdown had warned Number 10 about the appointment of Andy Coulson. Cameron said that of course the decision to employ a tabloid editor had been criticised by some people. Andrew Percy (Con, Brigg and Goole) asked about the theft of metal cables in his constituency. He said the last time legislation had been implemented on this was in 1964, he called for an update and for scrap metal dealers that knowlingly use the metal to be prosecuted. The prime minister said it is important to deal with metal theft, and cited an example in his Witney constituency. Tom Watson (Lab, West Bromwich East) called on the prime minister to investigate whether the victims of 9/11 or their families had had their phones hacked. And if so, would he raise it with the US government. Cameron said he would look in to this. He said he met with Sir Paul Stephenson, Met Police commissioner last night. He told MPs: "I have to say in what was a mixed appearance by police officers at the Home Affairs Select Committee last night, I thought that Sue Akers, who is leading the investigation, actually acquitted herself extremely well and we should have confidence that the police will get to the bottom of this." Dr Thérèse Coffey (Suffolk Coastal) said that Suffolk is committed to low carbon noted her ambition to enhance skills training in this area. The prime minister said it is vital to encourage inward investment and to build a skills base. He referred to the statement delivered to the House yesterday by energy secretary Chris Huhne. Rushanara Ali (Lab, Bethnal Green and Bow) pressed the prime minister if had held conversations with Andy Coulson on phone hacking ahead of his resignation. The prime minister said he did seek assurances from Coulson, who then later gave those same assurances to the police. He added that if he did lie, he should face the full force of law. David Burrowes (Con, Enfield, Southgate) referred to his constituent Gary McKinnon, Cameron said and the deputy prime minister raised the issue with President Obama during his state visit. He added that the case was now with the home secretary. Elfyn Lywyd (Plaid Cymru) said that combat boots, valued at £45, were couriered over to a soldier in Northern Ireland at a cost of £714 and said this is something to be addressed when looking at efficiency. The prime minister said this was a very good example. Graham Stuart (Con, Beverley and Holderness) asked if the inquiry into the media will consider the conspiracy between elements of the last government and the media to smear Lord Ashcroft. In response, the prime minister said the inquiry will be wide ranging and that it would cover a wide range of issues. He added: "I think this is extremely important. This inquiry will have the ability to call politicians, serving politicians, previous Prime Ministers, to get to the bottom of what happened and how unhealthy this relationship was. That is what needs to happen." Margaret Hodge (Lab, Barking) said the MoD private secretary had told the public accounts committee on Monday that the government had blocked the National Audit Office from accessing documents. She called on the prime minister to release the information needed by the NAO. The prime minister said the government was following precedent and that he would be happy to turn up to the committee to criticise the previous government for wasting money. Malcolm Bruce (Lib Dem, Gordon) asked the prime minister about extending sign language support to families of children with hearing difficulties. The prime minister agreed to look into it. Geoffrey Robinson (Lab, Coventry NW) asked about the Thameslink Rail contract. He said that 20,000 jobs are at risk. He asked whether no contract has been signed before the funding package was determined. In response, the prime minister said Bombardier is a great company with a great future. The procurement process was designed by the former Labour government. We are now looking at the procurement rules to see if this can be amended in the future. Stephen Mosley (Con, City of Chester) called for the Crewe to Chester line to be electrified. Cameron said he recalled spending a lot of time at Crewe station during last year’s election campaign. He said it is not on the current programme but the government wants more electrification. Gavin Shuker (Lab, Luton South) told MPs the average tuition fee level was £8,400, despite assurances that this would be less that £7,500. In response, Cameron said that just nine universities charged £9,000 for every course. James Clappison (Con, Hertsmere) said the UK should not have to pay for future bail outs of Eurozone countries. The prime minister the country is a "safe haven" from Eurozone problems, but the UK must be helpful, as it is "in our own interests". Yvonne Fovargue (Lab, Makerfield) called on the prime minister to regulate the fee paying debt management company sector, suggesting that there was a role for the OFT here. Cameron praised the MP who used to head a Citizens Advice Bureau and said he will look into the issue. Gavin Barwell (Con, Croydon Central) asked about Gordon Brown's claims that he had tried to start an inquiry into phone hacking when prime minister. Cameron said that it was not fair when laws were broken and that all had been too silent on this issue. He added: "What we need is some honesty about this issue on cross-party basis so we can take on this problem. "I have to say I didn't inherit any work on a public inquiry but I am determined the one we set up, we will get the job done." Zac Goldsmith (Con, Richmond) asked for assurance that all witnesses to the inquiry into phone hacking will provide evidence under oath. The prime minister said he would provide detail in the upcoming statement.