Sanders, Gilbert, Swale - and Miliband - quiz Cameron at PMQs

• [Apr 27] Adrian Sanders (Torbay, Liberal Democrat): PEOPLE have been shocked at the scale and extent of the phone hacking allegations against some of our most popular newspapers. In order to uncover the truth, will the Prime Minister instigate a full judicial inquiry and, in particular, look at the relationship between the Metropolitan police and News International?

David Cameron (Prime Minister; Witney, Conservative): What is absolutely clear is that phone hacking is not only unacceptable but against the law. It is illegal; it is a criminal offence, and I would urge the police and the prosecuting authorities to follow the evidence wherever it leads. That must happen first, and we must not let anything get in the way of criminal investigations.

• . . Stephen Gilbert (St Austell and Newquay, Liberal Democrat): Across the country, 2 million families are on waiting lists for social housing. Nearly 1 million homes lie empty, and the average age of a first-time buyer is 37. Does the Prime Minister acknowledge that there is a housing crisis in Britain, and will the Government publish a strategy to tackle it?

David Cameron (Prime Minister; Witney, Conservative): We do acknowledge the very difficult situation that we inherited. House building was at a 60 or 70-year low. We need to introduce ways of ensuring that local communities see more houses built. The old top-down system did not work, but I believe that the new homes bonus and the incentives that we are giving local authorities will mean that extra housing goes ahead.

• . . Ian Swales (Redcar, Liberal Democrat): The Prime Minister is a vociferous opponent of the alternative vote system and reserves special disdain for the idea that someone might win after coming second in an early round. Will he therefore stand aside in favour of Mr Davis, who beat him to the post in 2005?

David Cameron (Prime Minister; Witney, Conservative): I seem to remember that my leadership contest ended up with the two of us touring the country and it was a popular vote. I am pleased to say that, unlike in some parties around here, the person who won actually won.

• . . Edward Miliband (Doncaster North, Labour): Another totally hopeless answer! I asked about waiting times. The Department of Health figures are these: waiting times are 20% up for those waiting more than 18 weeks, and A and E waits are at a record level compared to six years ago. One of the reasons why waiting times have gone up is that the right hon. Gentleman is diverting billions of pounds from patient care into this costly reorganisation. Let me make this suggestion: just for once, why does he not listen to the doctors, the patients and the nurses and scrap his reorganisation?

David Cameron (Prime Minister; Witney, Conservative): The right hon. Gentleman asks me to listen to doctors, so here is one doctor I am definitely going to listen to. I hope Opposition Members will remember Howard Stoate, who was the Member of Parliament for Dartford. He is no longer an MP because he lost the election-because of the Conservative candidate, I am afraid. He is now a GP- [Interruption.] Calm down, dear. Listen to the doctor. Howard Stoate, GP, says:

"My... discussions with fellow GPs... reveal overwhelming enthusiasm for the"-

[Interruption.] I said calm down. Calm down, dear-and I will say it to the shadow Chancellor, if he likes. [Interruption.]

John Bercow (Speaker): Order. Let us briefly have the answer and move on to Back Benchers, whose rights I am interested in protecting. I want a brief answer from the Prime Minister.

David Cameron (Prime Minister; Witney, Conservative): This is a very brief quote from a Labour MP who is now a GP. He said:

"My... discussions with fellow GPs... reveal overwhelming enthusiasm for the chance to help shape services for the patients they see daily".

That is what Labour MPs, now acting as GPs, think of the reforms. That is what is happening.

Edward Balls (Morley and Outwood, Labour): Apologise to her!

David Cameron (Prime Minister; Witney, Conservative): I am not going to apologise; you do need to calm down. [Interruption.]

John Bercow (Speaker): Order. There is far too much noise in the Chamber. [Interruption.] Order. It makes a very bad impression on the public as a whole, and others are waiting to contribute. I think the Prime Minister has finished.

• Full Debate in Parliament