Question: Gordon Brown said he would always make announcements to Parliament first and yet he revealed troop reductions in Iraq before his Commons statement on Wednesday - did that undermine the principle?

Baroness Ashton: No, Gordon has done a huge amount in coming to Parliament already to give statements and he is coming to give a statement on Iraq early next week to the House, which I will repeat in the Lords.

I think it was right and proper that during the visit he made to Iraq he also used the opportunity to talk a little bit about the future and his broader thinking, not least because that is what the media would want him to do and it was right and proper to do it in that way.

If Parliament is not sitting then it is not always possible to announce everything there first.

Question: We are expecting the Comprehensive Spending Review next week - is it possible for Alistair Darling to step out of Gordon Brown's shadow?

Baroness Ashton: I don't think that Alistair is in any shadow and from what I've seen, it is obviously clear that Alistair has inherited an incredible legacy from 10 years of Gordon and he has shown that as chancellor he wants to take us forward.

Obviously, he has been doing a lot of work with colleagues to ensure he can deliver the programme he wants.

Question: There has been a lot of speculation that on Tuesday the prime minister may call an election. If that is the case, a lot of legislation will have to be rushed through the Lords - are you ready for that and what would the priorities be?

Baroness Ashton: The first thing is for the prime minister to call an election. When the prime minister has made that decision we will make it work for him to make it possible. But we are not at that point yet.

Question: On Wednesday, Lord Blaker is to ask a question on the AU/EU summit in relation to banned Zimbabweans - has the prime minister taken the right stance in relation to this?

Baroness Ashton: I was delighted when the prime minister said what he said in relation to this summit.

We have been very consistent in our deep concern over what is happening in Zimbabwe.

All the statements that have been made and all the answers to all the questions in both Houses have expressed that great concern.

It is very important that we continue to do that.