ePolitix.com reports on this week's session of prime minister's question time.
Commons leader Harriet Harman told MPs that the prime minister is in New York for talks on tackling the global recession.
Joan Ryan (Lab, Enfield North) said that her constituents are concerned about burglary and called for assurances that the government will work with the police to "combat this growing fear".
Harman said that having more police on the beat and tougher penalties had led to a fall in burglary in London. These facts should help to allay public fears, she suggested.
Sally Keeble (Lab, Northampton North) said one aim of a fiscal stimulus should be to help young people find jobs this summer.
The Commons leader said an extra £2bn invested in job centres would help, along with more investment in apprenticeships.
Liz Blackman (Lab, Erewash) said that falling MRSA and C. difficile rates in her local hospitals were due to the "hard work of NHS professionals".
Harman told MPs that extra investment and the "hard work" of staff had helped to tackle the problem.
Lembit Opik (Lib Dem, Montgomeryshire) pointed to a European Commission report which shows the illegal drugs trade is "thriving". He called for a review of drugs policy to "start tackling the crisis in an evidence-based way".
Harman said the government is committed to providing support for those who are addicted and would seek to "crack down hard" on dealers and traffickers.
Andrew Dismore (Lab, Hendon) said his local Conservative council is making cuts in the warden services for tenants in local sheltered accommodation. He said this is a case of "same old Tories, same old cuts".
Responding, Harman said the government would "defend public services" to protect people like his constituents.
Bill Wiggin (Con, Leominster) called for government intervention to help a motoring component manufacturer in his constituency who is being denied bank funding.
The Commons leader said the government is determined to help those who are "working hard in important British industries like the motor industry".
Angus Robertson (SNP, Moray) pointed to the US stimulus package which includes significant spending at state level. In contrast, he said, the UK government is cutting the budgets of devolved administrations. He asked: "How can that be sensible or socially just?"
Harman said the government is not cutting spending, but added that there is a need to make sure that each pound is "wisely spent".
Julian Brazier (Con, Canterbury) noted this week's launch of the new national security strategy and asked about progress on deporting foreign terror suspects?
Harman told MPs that 150 people had been excluded and that the government is "absolutely clear we will take action to deport those who are a threat to national security".
Tony Lloyd (Lab, Manchester Central) criticised the "gross unfairness" of plans to cut inheritance tax.
Harman said the Conservatives want to "squander £2bn of scarce public money on the super-rich".
Philip Dunne (Con, Ludlow) asked why the details of this year's pay rises for the armed forces had not yet been announced.
Harman said government was "unswerving in our commitment to our armed forces" and suggested the issue could be addressed in tomorrow's Commons debate on defence.
John McFall (Lab, West Dunbartonshire) pointed to President Obama's article on the global economy and called for the UK to work with the US in ensuring that employment is at the top of the G20 agenda.
Harman backed the calls and told the Commons that action on the economy is needed "to protect people who are otherwise threatened to lose their job or lose their home".
Andrew Stunell (Lib Dem, Hazel Grove) asked about "ill-gotten bonuses" being paid to bankers.
Harman said the government would seek to ensure there is "no reward for failure". She also noted that the Financial Services Authority had reported on tightening remuneration policy in the financial sector.
Rev William McCrea (DUP, South Antrim) criticised the "technicalities" which had let to the release of people arrested in connection with the murder of two soldiers in County Antrim.
Harman said those who have committed the crimes must be brought to justice.
Michael Clapham (Lab, Barnsley West and Penistone) called for a national centre to look at asbestos-related diseases.
Harman said the government is backing research into work-related diseases as part of its investment in science.
John Baron (Con, Billericay) said the information commissioner has ruled that the government was wrong to withhold list of potential sites for Titan prisons. He called for list to be published so local people can "have their say".
The Commons leader told MPs that there would be consultation on the issue of where to build the new 'super-prisons'.
Mary Creagh (Lab, Wakefield) asked about assistance for those at risk of becoming homeless.
Harman said it is important that "we don't leave people to sink or swim", adding that the government would step in to help people who might lose their home.
Simon Hughes (Lib Dem, North Southwark and Bermondsey) called for a greater commitment to conflict prevention and urged a focus on the situation in Sri Lanka.
Harman told MPs that the situation in Sri Lanka is "very grave". She added that the government is committed to a range of measures on conflict prevention and is working with other countries on the issue.
Andrew Gwynne (Lab, Denton and Reddish) highlighted recent announcements of job losses in local newspapers, which he said are "the lifeblood of local democracy".
In response, Harman said such local services are "very important" and added that communications minister Lord Carter is "working on this important issue".
Justine Greening (Con, Putney) highlighted problems in further education college funding, saying it would be "madness" to put expansion or refurbishment projects on hold.
Harman said the government supports more investment in colleges, while Conservative policy is to "cut it by £600m".
Dods Parliamentary Communications Ltd