1.   At least one Cabinet member, John Redwood, the Welsh secretary, has been notably cool in his backing for the prime minister.

2.   Blair ordered Davies, who would become Welsh secretary in a Labor government, to issue an immediate apology, which he did.

3.   It began two weeks ago when Ron Davies, the Welsh secretary, resigned after he was robbed in a park where gay men meet to arrange sex.

4.   The post of Welsh secretary vacated by Redwood also has to be filled.

5.   Though he occupied the office of Welsh secretary for two years, he was a lifelong foe of Welsh nationalism.

6.   He sparked national controversy in his first year as Welsh secretary by accusing some young women of becoming pregnant purely to increase their chances of getting public housing.

7.   Welsh Secretary Ron Davies resigned as Welsh secretary in November, after he was robbed in a London area known for homosexual cruising.

8.   Among those left, but undeclared, were former Welsh secretary William Hague, former home secretary Michael Howard, and former health secretary Stephen Dorrell.

9.   Former health secretary Stephen Dorrell and former Welsh secretary William Hague and former education secretary Gillian Shephard were also being counted as possible candidates.

10.   Major never mentioned his opponent, the former Welsh secretary, by name but the implication was clear.