1.   A government minister said that there would be an inquiry.

2.   A government minister said there had been a mixup, and that another unidentified vessel was the slave ship.

3.   Both ministers said exchange-rate stability would depend on national fiscal policies.

4.   So said defence minister Peter Blaker last week in response to a question from Tam Dalyell.

5.   The minister said prospects for lifting the embargo at present are better than any other time in the past.

6.   The minister said that he felt as if he were being pursued by a wild animal and could only throw off his clothes to distract its attention.

7.   Building extensions to two Catholic schools in Darlington could start this year if the county and the church agree, the schools minister said this week.

8.   The minister said that only a small amount of radioactive material had escaped.

9.   But a minister said that politics did not work that way, and that the influence of the East Anglian connection was greatly exaggerated.

10.   A few hours later ministers were saying that there would be extra payments.