For example, Labour wants to give councils a bigger role in determining local transport plans and will allow experiments for road pricing. Both parties also eschew the idea of building their way out of the congestion crisis and Labour even accepts the concept of private finance for road schemes.Indeed, Labour will not reverse any of the principal Tory changes. While the party remains committed to renationalising the railways, this will only occur "in the light of available resources", a fudge which appears to be a sop to the party's left wing, given Labour's likely desire to spend more on health and education, But unlike the Tories, Labour promises a national transport strategy and targets to achieve its aims such as encouraging rail use for both freight and passengers.The policy document will be presented this weekend to Labour's policy forum of 100 senior party figures in Manchester. However, the forum has no power to make amendments to the document, which is expected to be approved by Labour's National Executive next week.. Every day - no matter how tedious or arcane the agenda of the House - dozens of ordinary British citizens sit in the public gallery, trying desperately to work out what on earth is happening.

Why do sudden roars of laughter punctuate routine statements? Why do MPs of both major parties shout "Hear, Hear", when their party leaders walk into the chamber? What happened in Jacques "Buzz-saw" Arnold's childhood that was so disturbing? Yesterday the gallery was nearly full when Treasury questions began. I'm offering President Chirac a big steak I have saved for him."Mr Boyle's father opened the business 35 years ago, when Easterhouse was first established. He was keen to view the so-called regeneration, including work by the Prince's Trust, and compare it to France's more dismal suburbs. A bright orange poster, surrounded by flags, in the butcher's window on Lochend Road offered the first sign of cheer, although it turned out to be double-edged "Welcome, Prince Charles and President Chirac," it read. "Get your free beefburgers, lunchtime."Tommy Boyle, 52, the owner, said: "A few weeks ago when the beef crisis was at its worst, tempers were running even higher But the people have cooled down a bit. The French President had personally requested to be shown around the estate, one of the most notorious in Britain. A mood of scepticism lurked over Easterhouse in north Glasgow yesterday as the locals claimed indifference to the visit of President Jacques Chirac and the Prince of Wales.