http://www.teletext.co.uk/news/politics/default.aspxen-gbThu, 16 Jul 2009 21:07:24 GMThttp://www.teletext.co.uk/images/Logo64x64.gifhttp://www.teletext.co.ukForeign Secretary David Miliband was the latest minister to come under pressure about provision of helicopters for British troops in Afghanistan.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/News/politics/~4/6ilQMW7KqAY" height="1" width="1"/>
He insisted commanders on the ground had access not only to British helicopters but also to aircraft from other nations in the coalition.

Shadow foreign secretary William Hague urged the Prime Minister to go ahead with a review of troop levels.

]]>41d082da0d6ee5bbeccba50e9f3ad4f8http://feeds.teletext.co.uk/~r/News/politics/~3/6ilQMW7KqAY/More+helicopter+pressure.aspxhttp://www.teletext.co.uk/news/politics/41d082da0d6ee5bbeccba50e9f3ad4f8/More+helicopter+pressure.aspxhttp://www.teletext.co.uk/news/politics/41d082da0d6ee5bbeccba50e9f3ad4f8/More+helicopter+pressure.aspxGordon Brown pledged to make the UK a "leading nation" in the effort to tackle the spread of nuclear weapons.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/News/politics/~4/Dvm_7C-MAv4" height="1" width="1"/>
He announced a £20m centre of excellence to help develop civil nuclear technology which cannot be diverted to military uses.

Mr Brown ruled out any unilateral reduction in the UK's Trident arsenal but said Britain stands ready to act as part of a broader negotiation.

]]>e53e3a4730d2101b2b9a3dd35d1fafd6http://feeds.teletext.co.uk/~r/News/politics/~3/Dvm_7C-MAv4/PM+in+nuclear+weapon+pledge.aspxhttp://www.teletext.co.uk/news/politics/e53e3a4730d2101b2b9a3dd35d1fafd6/PM+in+nuclear+weapon+pledge.aspxhttp://www.teletext.co.uk/news/politics/e53e3a4730d2101b2b9a3dd35d1fafd6/PM+in+nuclear+weapon+pledge.aspxThe Government made fresh concessions on the Parliamentary Standards Bill, in the wake of the expenses scandal.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/News/politics/~4/NoNEI2-g1Ys" height="1" width="1"/>
Lords Leader Baroness Royall removed a section that would have created an offence of failing to comply with the register of financial interests.

But she rejected moves to take out the offence of an MP making a claim for an allowance using "false or misleading" information.

]]>9f3ceafd983014d5713da8ed8adce7d2http://feeds.teletext.co.uk/~r/News/politics/~3/NoNEI2-g1Ys/Concession+in+expense+row+Bill.aspxhttp://www.teletext.co.uk/news/politics/9f3ceafd983014d5713da8ed8adce7d2/Concession+in+expense+row+Bill.aspxhttp://www.teletext.co.uk/news/politics/9f3ceafd983014d5713da8ed8adce7d2/Concession+in+expense+row+Bill.aspxMinisters were accused by Tory Mark Prisk of failing to provide adequate help for Britain&#39;s car industry.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/News/politics/~4/raaO-Pua0Ao" height="1" width="1"/>
He said the Government was slow to help firms access European loans while other countries had already delivered them.

But Mr McFadden (Hertford and Stortford) insisted help was being provided and the Government was working "diligently, carefully and productively" with firms.

]]>536926085a0b0b1994fc5f75ab6ebfb0http://feeds.teletext.co.uk/~r/News/politics/~3/raaO-Pua0Ao/Car+industry+'needs+support'.aspxhttp://www.teletext.co.uk/news/politics/536926085a0b0b1994fc5f75ab6ebfb0/Car+industry+'needs+support'.aspxhttp://www.teletext.co.uk/news/politics/536926085a0b0b1994fc5f75ab6ebfb0/Car+industry+'needs+support'.aspxMPs must submit themselves to criminal record checks before they can visit schools in their constituencies, Labour&#39;s John Battle (Leeds W) claimed.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/News/politics/~4/rMG4-lYfvLc" height="1" width="1"/>
He said members must apply collectively for a certificate from the Criminal Records Bureau.

But Ms Harman, who told him she wanted to see a "common sense" solution to the matter, insisted it only applied if MPs were left alone with pupils.

]]>43966daa27d04f82cad62a61be80818chttp://feeds.teletext.co.uk/~r/News/politics/~3/rMG4-lYfvLc/Criminal+checks+for+schools.aspxhttp://www.teletext.co.uk/news/politics/43966daa27d04f82cad62a61be80818c/Criminal+checks+for+schools.aspxhttp://www.teletext.co.uk/news/politics/43966daa27d04f82cad62a61be80818c/Criminal+checks+for+schools.aspx