P144 CEEFAX 2 144 Sat 13 Dec 22:36/49 1/8 . . :. :. Highlights of . . Friday's business . . . . Labour warning to Today programmj J Safety shake-up at hospitals urged EU clears way for expansion —————————————————————————— Headlines 101 Extra 140 Ticker 151 BBC Website www.bbc.co.uk/politics:7/ Letters Index News Xtra Main MenuP144 CEEFAX 2 144 Sat 13 Dec 22:34/19 2/8 FRIDAY'S MAIN EVENTS IN WESTMINSTER The Government blocked a cross-party bid to improve provision for mental patients but announced an £11m boost for mental health services. The Bill would require health authorities to draw up a strategy to meet differing needs of people suffering from acute mental ilnesses. A bid to protect whistleblowers gained a surprise boost. The Public Interest Disclosure Bill gained an unopposed second reading. Parliament and politics digest... 144 News Index 102 Flash 150 Regional 160 Letters Index News Xtra Main MenuP144 CEEFAX 2 144 Sat 13 Dec 22:34/01 3/8 FRIDAY'S MAIN EVENTS IN WESTMINSTER An eleventh-hour appeal was made to the Government to save Guy's Hospital in London by Liberal Democrat health spokesman Simon Hughes. Health minister Paul Boating said a review of London Hospital provision wa; being considered by ministers. Checks of security at mink farms are to bj doubled, Countryside Minister Elliot Morley disclosed. He announced unscheduled checks in addition to annual formal inspections. Parliament and politics digest... 144 News Index 102 Flash 150 Regional 160 Letters Index News Xtr Main MunuP144 CEEFAX 2 144 Sat 13 Dec 22:32/10 4/8 FRIDAY'S MAIN EVENTS IN WESTMINSTER Drinkers would get more beer for their money under a Bill which was given an unopposed second reading. The Weights and Measures Bill would compel publicans to serve beer and cider in ovjrsizjd glasses. A bid to ban hare coursing was blocked in the Commons just two weeks after a measure against fox-hunting gained a 260 majority. A shout of "object" was enough to deny the Hare Coursing Bill's second reading Parliament and politics digest... 144 News Index 102 Flash 150 Regional 160 Letters Index News Xtta Main MenuP144 CEEFAX 2 144 Sat 13 Dec 22:32/35 LABOUR THREAT TO COLD-SHOULDER "TODAY" A threat bz Labour to withdraw co- operation from BBC Radio 4's Today programme has been played down bz its editor, Jon Barton. Labour had protested at the conduct of a John Humphrys interview with Social Security Secretary Harriet Harman. Party spokesman David Hill claimed Mr Humphrys interrupted Ms Harman so much she could not develop her answers. But Mr Barton said that relations with Labour and all parties remain excellent Headlines 101 Index 102 Sport 300 Front page 100 TV 600 Weather 400 Letters Index News Xtra Main MenuP144 CEEFAX 2 144 Sat 13 Dec 22:35/55 6/8 CALL FOR SAFETY SHAKE-UP AT HOSPITALS NHS hospitals are "dangerous places" for patients, staff and visitors, with more than 1m accidents happening in one year, according to a report. The Public Accounts Committee report said the accidents cost more than £150m imposing a burden on NHS resources. Health and safety legislation was being "blatantly ignored", the Committee said It urged a higher level of compliance with health and safety legislation and a shake-up in safety procedures. Headlines 101 Index 102 Sport 300 Front page 100 TV 600 Weather 400 Letters Index News Xtta Main MenuP144 CEEFAX 2 144 Sat 13 Dec 22:33/17 STATES TO FINALISE EU EXPANSION DETAILS European Union leaders are preparing to launch the biggest expansion in the union's history. Membership talks have been initially agreed with the Czech Republic, Cyprus, Hungary, Poland, Slovenia and Estonia. Five more countries may bj invited to the launch of the expansion process but will have to reform before joining. Turkey has been offered a seat in a new Euro conference that will run parallel to, but separate from, expansion talks. Headlines 101 Index 102 Sport 300 Front page 100 TV 600 Weather 400 Letters Index News Xtra Main MenuP144 CEEFAX 2 144 Sat 13 Dec 22:33/13 Wjpqzjpqzjpqz HOWARD ACCUSES BLAIR OF FAILURE ON EMU The Tories have accused Tony Blair of "a failure" in negotiations on the running of the single European currency Mr Blair has secured British access to the committee running the currency when matters of common interest arise. But Shadow Foreign Secretary Michael Howard said the definition of "common interest" would bj decided by the countries on the committee. "Wj would not have made that critical concession," hj told the BBC. Headlines 101 Index 102 Sport 300 Irons page 100 TV 600 Weather 400 Letters Index News Xtra Main Menu