On the programme today, the Shadow Home Secretary Ann Widdecombe MP accused the Labour Party of playing the race card in the run up to the General Election. She said the Commission for Racial Equality compact was a "silly pledge".

The Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon MP defended the government's record on dealing with the foot and mouth outbreak. He went on to dismiss concerns about listening devices found at Ministry of Defence headquarters in Whitehall. He said "the fact that we can detect these things does indicate that security remains at the very highest level in the MoD."

The Chairman of Northern Foods, Lord Haskins, supported the government's proposal to implement a firebreak vaccination policy, while the National Farmer's Union Policy Director Martin Haworth said there were still too many unanswered questions about the matter. He called for clarification about whether or not the disease would last longer with vaccination, saying "there are a lot of scientists who say it will, and as a result we�ll actually end up slaughtering more animals if we vaccinate then if we carry on with the current policy".

The leader of the UK Independence Party, Jeffrey Titford MEP set out his election strategy and policy initiatives ahead of the General Election.

And having recently returned from his trans-Pacific rowing adventure, the British civil engineer Jim Shekhdar came on the show to relate the ups and downs of his two hundred and seventy-five day "marathon". Sir David also spoke to the Olympic gold medal rower Sir Steve Redgrave, and Breakfast News presenter Jeremy Bowen before they set off to run in this year's London Marathon.

This week's transcripts:

Shadow Home Secretary Ann Widdecombe

Discussion between Chairman of Northern Foods, Lord Haskins, National Farmer's Union Policy Director Martin Haworth and Defence Secretary, Geoff Hoon

UK Independence Party, Jeffrey Titford MEP

Jim Shekhdar, Adventurer