1.   The company blamed staff shortages for the delays.

2.   Economists blamed the shortages on prices which gave little incentive to production.

3.   At the time, Hawley blamed a shortage of maintenance funds and vowed to reverse the trend with a tough inspection program.

4.   Bravo said she blamed the shortage of ballots on a lack of planning rather than an effort to thwart voters.

5.   Digital television set manufacturers blame the shortage of programming for slow sales of the devices, which are in fewer than a million homes.

6.   It blamed a shortage of components, but it has refused to specify which parts are involved, creating something of a mystery.

7.   Rotter blamed a shortage of trained inspectors.

8.   Shortages are blamed partly on a steadily increasing demand for blood needed by cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, as well as patients receiving organ transplants.

9.   Sony blamed shortages of electronic components, though it offered no details.

10.   The company has blamed crew shortages caused by the campaign for hundreds of flight cancellations this month.