An EU referendum, knife crime and lobbying were among the issues raised by backbenchers at PMQs today.
Stephen Hepburn (Lab, Jarrow) said this year marks the 75th anniversary of the Jarrow March. He said it is wrong that even today people live in fear of unemployment and the dole. He asked Cameron if he will “support workers, or sacrifice them”.
The prime minister said the government must support people and help them back into work. He said there needed to be more jobs in the private sector.
Oliver Colville (Con, Plymouth Sutton and Devonport) pressed the prime minister about ocean renewable energy.
Cameron said some British universities are leaders in this field and it is a “vital industry”.
Julian Brazier (Con, Canterbury) referred to comments from the governor of the Bank of England. He said it is a good thing that the government is still committed to getting debt under control and to bring credibility to financial markets.
Cameron said a return to normality will take longer but he will stick to a plan of dealing with the deficits. He suggested Labour's economic plan is an example of "freakanomics".
Mark Durkan (SDLP, Foyle) asked about the murdered solicitor Pat Finucane and said the prime minister should now go further and order an inquiry.
Cameron said people should have an open mind about a review of the case by Sir Desmond DeSilva QC. He said: "To those who are sceptical - I know that they will go on being sceptical. I would just ask them to have an open mind and I believe we can deal with this issue properly."
Martin Horwood (Lib Dem, Cheltenham) praised his local council for the first new build in twenty years. He asked about the proposed planning changes.
Cameron reiterated that the planning changes would not affect the green belt.
Steve Rotheram (Lab, Liverpool, Walton)thanked for support in Hillsborough debate. He asked that if it is shown that there was a cover up, if those responsible will be "brought to book".
Cameron said the Hillsborough papers will be released as promised. He said: "I'm hugely sympathetic for the families of the victims and I am sure there are regrets for all the institutions involved at the time, including the government."
Anna Soubry (Con, Broxtowe)said it is imperative that all police forces are equipped to protect women against violent men.
Cameron said some forces have made huge steps forward on domestic violence, and that more needs to be done to going forward.
Pat Glass (Lab, North West Durham)said a reported fall in college enrolments was due to the scrapping of the education maintenance allowance and asked what the prime minister would to do put this right
Cameron said some enrollments in colleges had increased and the replacement for EMA will target those in need.
Neil Parish (Con, Tiverton and Honiton)raised concerns that the six big fuel companies did not want more competition in the energy market.
Cameron said that the government would ensure that there would be pooling arrangements for energy companies.
Tom Greatrex (Lab, Rutherglen and Hamilton West)asked about carbon storage and called on the prime minister for the organic demonstration project to go ahead.
In response, Cameron confirmed that there are problems with plans for a carbon capture power plant at Longannet, Fife.
John Pugh (Lib Dem, Southport)asked if it would be better for politicians to "manage more and meddle less" with a reference to health reforms.
Cameron paid tribute to Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude and said the government has cut costs on management consultants, marketing and advertising and other serious changes to cut the cost of central government.
John Spellar (Lab, Warley)asked why the government will not jail under-18s involved in knife crime.
In response, the prime minister said the government is introducing a mandatory sentence for adults.
Andrew Rosindell (Con, Romford)pressed the prime minister on why he won't support a referendum on Britain's membership of the EU.
Cameron said he understands and shares the frustration felt by some on Europe. He said the EU budget is priority and added that he will not be supporting the call for a referendum in next week’s debate.
Gregory Campbell (DUP, East Londonderry)asked for a review into the preparation of honours lists to show that the nation recognises the bravery of soldiers
Cameron said says he will look carefully at this and arrange a meeting. He also reiterated his support for British armed forces.
Adrian Sanders (Lib Dem, Torbay)said inaccurate reporting of an EU directive for insulin dependent diabetics has led to one million people being concerned about losing their driving licence. He said it is for the Department for Transport (DfT) and how it interprets this directive. He called on the prime minister to make the position clear.
In response, Cameron said it is true that relatively few" drivers will be affected. He added that the DfT has gone back to Brussels to clarify the directive. He said it is important that departments do not gold-plate directives.
Angus Robertson, (SNP, Moray)called for air passenger duty to be devolved.
Cameron said he will listen carefully to those arguments.
Sam Gyimah (Con, East Surrey)suggested tearing down educational apartheid by encouraging private schools to federate.
Cameron called for cross-party initiative on this and paid tribute to Labour’s Lord Adonis and said there was a real opportunity for independent schools to sponsor academies in the state sector.
Graham Stringer (Lab, Blackley and Broughton)raised concerns about the emergency services in Greater Manchester.
In response, the prime minister said all savings made in the NHS will go back into the NHS and criticised Labour policy on NHS spending.
Jason McCartney (Con, Colne Valley)said business in his constituency has benefited from the regional growth fund. PM thanked him for his invitation.
Ian Austin (Lab, Dudley North)said that despite all promises, fewer people caught carrying knives are going to prison than under the Labour government. He called for an apology to Brooke Kinsella and those that have campaigned for change on knife crime policy.
Cameron said the government is introducing a mandatory sentence for knife crime offences.
Russell Brown (Lab, Dumfries and Galloway)asked the prime minister how many people from foreign governments were misled by Adam Werritty about his status. And called for a list of the details.
The prime minister said he should read the cabinet secretary’s report as it provides all the details. He hit out at Labour and said the former defence secretary is working for a helicopter company, the former home secretary is working for a security firm and Lord Mandelson is working for Lazard bank. He added that Gordon Brown has gone on to receive £120,000 for speeches to organisations including banks.
Cameron said: "We knew he had put money into the banks. We did not know he would be getting money out of them so quickly."
Mark Pritchard (Con, Wreckin)suggested suggests closer fiscal integration in the eurozone will undermine the single market.
The prime minister said Cameron he agreed there are risks and said he will be arguing for safeguards this weekend. But Cameron said a referendum should not be held “willy nilly" while there is so much to do to sort out the eurozone's problems.
Michael Meacher (Lab, Oldham W and Royton) asked about the government's forthcoming legislation on lobbying. He said: "If there is a statutory register of lobbyists, will you also ensure that so-called think-tanks, whose propaganda is clearly aimed to manipulate both ministers and the public for their own ends, also be required to reveal who funds them so we all know whose interests they really represent?"
Cameron said he is committed to having a statutory register of lobbyists and said also needs to includes think-tanks and other organisations.
"It also needs to include one of the biggest lobbies of them all: the lobby that owns the party opposite lock, stock and trade union barrel, the trade unions."
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