1.   For example, there have already been reports of hospitals giving preference to patients of fundholding general practitioners.

2.   In allocating housing, preference is given to families with young children.

3.   Last year the court narrowed the scope of affirmative action programs that give minorities preference in such matters as employment and education.

4.   When considering bids, preference will be given to bids involving significant employee participation.

5.   The policy of the school is to give preference to minority candidates.

6.   Rory and Mallachy slid aside to give him preference.

7.   If preference was still given to diplomacy, force was not ruled out -- especially in defence of oil supplies to Europe against any threat, Arab or Soviet.

8.   They suggest instead, however, that preference should be given to the development of small nuclear energy complexes.

9.   The court can make such order as it thinks fit to restore the position to what it would have been if the company had not given that preference.