Today - 04/12/2008

Presented by John Humphrys and Sarah Montague. Labour backbencher Stephen Pound discusses why leader of the House of Commons Harriet Harman has refused to say whether she has confidence in the Speaker of the House, Michael Martin. Stephen Noakes, of Cheltenham & Gloucester, discusses the government's mortgage help plan for homeowners. Roger Harrabin reports on the threat from Italy, Poland and other East European nations to veto the global climate package because, they say, it would cost too much. Lisa Harker, of the Institute for Public Policy Research, and shadow work and pensions secretary Chris Grayling discuss if an end to child poverty can be achieved by 2020. Director of the LSE Sir Howard Davies discusses cutting rates with David B Smith, chairman of the 'shadow' Monetary Policy Committee. Rupert Uloth says people should eat more venison to curb the rising deer population. Thought for the day with Prof Mona Siddiqui. Prof Jon Silverman and Lord Mackenzie discuss if police followed protocol in the arrest of Damian Green. Housing Minister Margaret Beckett discusses the government plan to underwrite mortgage interest payments of people facing repossession. Chas Bayfield and Frankie Hipwell-Larkin consider whether the Christmas story can be told in thirty seconds. Tony Lake, former chairman of the national DNA database, discusses the case of two British men who want their DNA profiles removed. Neil Doncaster, of Norwich City FC, and Peter Ridsdale, of Cardiff City FC, discuss a proposed salary cap on football clubs. Australia's minister for defence, Warren Snowdon, explains why their navy has begun a two-month stand-down. Former Lib Dem leader Charles Kennedy and Labour MP David Winnick discuss the row over MP Damian Green.