Rhetorical questions

Brown's spokesman Michael Ellam gave an answer to Lobbydog's question this morning that characterises Lobby briefings of recent times.

He was asked if the PM recognised that Supplementary Business Rates might increase the tax burden on firms just when the recession was kicking in.

The answer was that the question should be directed to the Treasury for detail.

But he added that Crossrail, for which SBR was concocted, is supported by business.

Translated: I'm not going to answer your question, but I'll tell you how the Government is right.

More and more the briefings are held for comms people to work out new ways of not answering questions rather than providing info to hacks.

There should at least be a little give and take.