Press briefing: morning 5 March 2015
The Prime Minister's Official Spokesperson answered questions about TV debates, LetterOne North Sea acquisition and election preparations.
TV debates
When asked about the TV debates, the Prime Minister’s Official Spokesperson (PMOS) said the Prime Minister’s Director of Communications had set out the Prime Minister’s position in his letter to the broadcasters.
LetterOne North Sea acquisition
When asked about the proposed acquisition by LetterOne of North Sea oil and gas fields owned by RWE Dea, the PMOS said the Prime Minister entirely agreed with the approach set out by the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change in his letter to LetterOne, noting that the power residing with the Energy Secretary to issue notices under the licences to require changes of control, was a long standing one.
Civil Service Election Preparations
When asked about the Cabinet Secretary’s letter to SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon relating to Civil Service election preparations, the PMOS said the Prime Minister’s views were set out in the letter. Namely, that it was the long standing position of the Civil Service that discussions were held with the principal UK opposition parties in the run up to a general election.