In principle I am not in favour of Public Enquiries; they never seem to solve anything and raise more questions than they answer. Take the Hutton enquiry over the death of Dr Kelly. At the time I thought that a Coroner's Court would suffice, but there was such a pressure from the media and politicians in opposition for a more wide-ranging enquiry that it became inevitable. The media were pleased, because it meant easy news fodder, and the opposition politicians were happy because it would put the Government on the spot.

When Lord Hutton was proposed to lead the enquiry everyone agreed he was an admirable choice, but now that he has presented his findings the euphoria is over. Tony Blair, in one leap, is up and away like Dick Barton in many of his radio episodes together with the rest of the Government Ministers. Even Alistair Campbell has been able to strut about crowing about his victory.

Meanwhile the BBC is taking the full force of Lord Hutton's criticisms and rightly so. It's a pity that his remit didn't include the rest of the rumour- mongers that call themselves news reporters.

According to many varied groups, Lord Hutton's enquiry was at once a whitewash of the Government, the product of too narrow a remit and generally flawed. It's just like football supporters rubbishing the refereee after a bad result.

There's one important piece of information that was left out of the report, however. How much did it cost. Remember that you and I pay through the nose for these reports. No wonder they can't give us a decent pension!

There is now to be an enquiry about 'Weapons of Mass Destruction' in the Iraq war. How much is that going to cost for goodness sake? Grandad has already sorted that out here.

"Bloody Sunday"
This is another enquiry that has just finished, apart from the ability of lawyers to string it out longer and make themselves a bit more pocket money. The likely cost?

£155,000,000 yes
£155,000,000 yes
£155,000,000 yes
£155,000,000 no, it's not a typo for God's sake. I hope the people who asked for it, commissioned it, worked for it, consider it was worth that sum because I don't and I suspect you don't either. Does anyone feel better? let Grandad know, but before you do consider how many schools, how many hospitals, how much good this vast sum of money could have afforded. They might even have been able to put a quid on the old age pension; some hopes.

And £155,000,000 is the tip of the iceberg as far as enquiries are concerned. Never a day goes by without some idiot demanding a public enquiry about something.

Somebody, somewhere has got to put a lid on it.

"My suggestion"
People demanding a public enquiry must pay the cost themselves.

In the case of politicians I would suggest that each MP be given a yearly allowance specifically for that purpose of, say, £1000. Then if a Minister, Shadow Minister or backbencher wanted a public enquiry they would have to cost it first then persuade other members to divvy up.

Many politicians are members of the legal profession so when something needs to be decided they immediately think in court terms.

They have been voted into power, are presumable doing the job they prefer as they put themselves forward for it and are being well paid.

Grandad sez to all MPs "You were voted in to run the country; if you can't do that without constantly demanding enquiries then resign."

Do you agree ?

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