Stephen Byers, Secretary of State for Transport, blamed Railtrack chiefs for the "black hole" discovered in the firm's finances

The Shadow Chancellor, Michael Howard, called for the Prime Minister to clarify his position on the Euro, accusing the Government of "playing games."

The recently appointed British Representative to Kabul, Stephen Evans, spoke to Sir David from the Afghanistan capital. He said that the coalition are working closely with the United Front in relation to the deployment of British troops.

Kenton Keith, the Coalition Spokesman in Islamabad, confirmed that the Taliban are completely discredited as a political force and said he believed the "net is tightening on bin Laden".

Ruud Lubbers, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees appealed to government of Pakistan to open their borders in order to assist the humanitarian programme.

This week's transcripts:

The Transport Secretary, Stephen Byers

The Shadow Chancellor, Michael Howard

The recently appointed British Representative to Kabul, Stephen Evans, and Kenton Keith, the Coalition Spokesman in Islamabad,

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Ruud Lubbers