The Minister must insist

THERE was jubilation among lovers of the South Downs last year when the Government announced they were to become a national park.

But slowly and surely since last September, that joy has been eroded as the scope of the park has been reduced.

Firstly, it seemed some areas on the fringes of the Downs will be left out of the park itself. Now it appears Ministers are reconsidering whether the new national park should have full planning powers like all the existing parks.

Tory MP Tim Loughton believes the Government is considering a hybrid solution in which a good deal of planning powers is left with local councils.

But the problem in the past has been a lack of consistency, with so many councils being responsible for the Downs.

Environment Minister Michael Meacher has been a good friend of the Downs. He of all people must resist the blandishments of smooth talking MPs and councillors and insist the new authority has full planning powers. That's half the point of having it.

West not best

BRIGHTON doctor Guo Yao Yu used traditional Chinese remedies when modern methods did not help a man who had passed out after a panic attack on a plane.

The man, on a flight from San Francisco to Heathrow, did not respond to oxygen, but when Dr Yu tried acupressure and applied a bit of Tiger Balm, he immediately recovered.

It all goes to prove that in medical matters, west is not always best. Tried and tested Chinese practice can work wonders.

Light drama

Staff at the accident and emergency department of the Royal Sussex County Hospital were alarmed when a patient produced a silver "gun" from a holster.

But when police were called they found the weapon was only a cigarette lighter.

That was when what looked like being heavy drama suddenly changed into lighter relief.

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