Blair Questioned on Climate Change

An unusually consensual Prime Minister's Question Time was dominated by climate change and action on Africa. MPs from all sides of the House lined up to congratulate the PM for focusing on climate change and Africa at the upcoming G8 summit.

Even arch-enemy from Labour's left Alan Simpson found time to congratulate the PM - before demanding a global limit on aviation. Conservative leader Michael Howard paid tribute to Mr Blair for his recent work on debt relief, but argued that the best way of helping the developing world would be to reduce trade barriers.

Mr Blair said he was determined to "put together a comprehensive plan" for Africa, including trade, aid, governance and conflict resolution, and said he hoped the G8 would make progress on those issues.

Mr Howard questioned whether the issue of US cotton subsidies or the US Farm Act been specifically raised with the President, before turning to European agricultural subsidies, which he dismissed as wasteful.

Mr Blair said that while detailed trade negotiations were a matter for the WTO, he hoped that the G8 summit would establish "certain principles�.that give a clear sense of direction" to those involved in negotiations.