1.   The Republicans and Democrats tick over with a skeleton staff and then hire specialist consultants for each campaign.

2.   The skeleton staff were no match for Massenga and his team of ex-Security policemen.

3.   There was only a skeleton staff on duty and no one took much notice of him.

4.   With the vast majority of suburban commuters unable to get to New York, brokerage firms were operating with skeleton staffs.

5.   Only a skeleton staff remains to show anyone interested around the site.

6.   A skeleton staff was on duty to keep the world-wide operations of Royalbion ticking over.

7.   Although only a skeleton staff will accompany him, aides will be in constant communication with senior officials at the White House.

8.   At the government radio station, the fear has meant only a skeleton staff to run things since American troops wrested control from the military.

9.   Because there was no way into or out of the hotel, only a skeleton staff was working.