11.   Some freeholders were just as keen as was the average burgh councillor to retain close ties with the government ministers.

12.   Some government ministers had serious doubts as to whether the policy would work.

13.   The investigation has penetrated every level of society on the island and involves allegations of corruption among government ministers.

14.   The Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution and government ministers accept this view.

15.   There are rumours of a sex scandal involving senior government ministers.

16.   They agreed to meet government ministers in an attempt to head off a major conflict.

17.   Meanwhile, in Italy, several senior government ministers who used to support closer European co-operation have suddenly swung round to oppose it.