PMQs: Miliband vs Cameron

PMQs as-it-happened

PMQs as-it-happened

11:53 – Welcome back. The expectation this week is that Miliband will focus on Ukraine for at least some questions. So expect a sombre collegiate tone there. He may also bring up this Home Office report that has been withheld, if he is brave ebough to lead on immigration. The usual caveats apply: Apologies in advance for typos and errors. Kick off is at midday.

12:00 – Justine Greening, international development secretary, is trying to appear commanding. It would be overly generous to suggest she was successful.

12:01 – And we're off, with Peter Bone. He asks about a major retail park which apprently has more public support than any other measure he's heard of.  The decision is coming up, Cameron says. Miliband is up.

12:02 – He leads on Ukraine. Will he spit the questions to allow for a later political attack? He invites Cameron to condemn Russia's actions. "It's completely unacceptable," Cameron agrees. He says our national interest is dependent on international law being accepted.  Miliband says everyone welcomes the talks going on with the US right now. Given the fragility on the ground, don't we need them to lead to high level talks between Russia and Ukraine? Cameron says there have been some contacts and that meetings are taking place today in Paris.

12:04 – Miliband says the EU has a crucial role to play and at the leaders' summit tomorrow it needs to show it is up to the task. What will the EU be tabling at the summit tomorrow? Cameron says the status quo today is unacceptable, that's why they have suspended preparations for the G8 meeting – "it's hard to see in present circumstances how a G8 meeting can go ahead". But he wants extra political and diplomatic steps. Miliband: "I completely share his view."

12:06 – If we don't see action from Russia we should look at asset freezes and travel bans on people, Miliband says. Cameron: "Nothing should be off the table. There are those steps we need to take in respect of the current unacceptable situation." Miliband asks about the Ukrainian government. Is part of the way forward providing support while making it clear they have to be inclusive and respect rights of Russian speakers? Cameron says that's important. "This should not be seen as a tug of war between the EU and Russia." He says Hague was the first foreign secretary there. He wants a clear set of laws which don't discriminate against Russian speakers.

12:09 – Miliband says this is a delicate and dangerous moment. It's a combination of diplomacy resolve and support for Ukraine that offers the best help. "In pursuit of that goal I can assure the prime minister the government will have our full support." Cameron welcomes his support and says there is a "clear and unified voice going out from this House". He warns of "further cost and consequences" if Russian takes this further.

12:10 – Snap verdict: N/a.

12:11 – Cameron is asked why his new criminal justice bill doesn't ban rape porn. Cameron's answer is odd. He says he is doing it and will look carefully at the specific points she makes.

12:14 – Brooks Newmark, Tory, the charisma of  a wooden plank, reads out a whips' question from a piece of paper. Cameron rewards him with some kind words. Jack Straw gets up. He says he's astonished that the Transpennine Express will lose one in eight of its trains to Chiltern Rail for the greater comfort of commuters in the south. That triggers lots of noise. He castigates the Tories for laughing. "This may be a laughing matter for them, but it's not for the people in the orth of England." The mirth was about the fact Straw suggested he lived up there. Cameron observes that Straw makes his journey's into London from his own constituency.

12:18 – Chris Williamson, Lab, wants the PM to rule out any debate on the Hunting Act. Cameron says it's a matter for the House. "In the end the House of Commons will be able to decide."

12:20 – Kerry McCarthyn grips the House by noting that this is the 'year of food waste'. "Will the prime minister throw his weight behind this initiative?" Cameron talks vacuous nonsense about nothing for a respectable amount of time. David Heath, Lib Dem, says the floods are still affecting his community. He says local government finance won't meet the needs of the community.

12:24 – There must have been more boring PMQs than this but I can't remember one. Nigel Evans wants the PM to look at the actions of the planning inspectorate in his constituency. Cameron backs his localism legislation but promises to look into it.

12:25 – Lib Dem MP Julian Huppert is trying to ask a question – probably about the immigration report. The Speaker usually picks him.

12:26 – Therese Coffey  is wearing the most extraordinary jacket. Presumeably she says something but I long ago learned to pay her no attention.

12:30 – Tobias Ellwood, Con, says the PM should congratulate the people in Bournemouth who worked on Gravity. Cameron goes out of his way to celebrate British film – particularly in post-production.

12:33 – Bercow calls Zac Goldsmith. He says the PM has brought back a recall bill but will it be genuine or "recall in name only"? Cameron says he fears it wil be difficult to satisfy Goldsmith on this point He sounds like he's run out of patience with his star backbencher.

12:34 – And with that, we're done. That right there was as boring as PMQs gets. See you next week, when we might expect something a little more dramatic.