British Bank-Notes

The head honcho of the Financial Services Authority (FSA), Lord Turner, has stated that the whole British banking industry needs a major overhaul. I have no doubt that this is true; it's a terrible indictment of the Government, too, because they have allowed us to reach this sorry state of affairs.

If there is to be an overhaul, I'd like them to examine the regulations and Act of Parliament whereby Scottish and Northern Ireland banks are enabled to print their own bank-notes. This phenomenon is an anomaly to me. As far as I can see, the local banks began to print their own notes in order, simply, to make a profit; and a massive one at that.

It has been explained to me before, about how this actually happens. It has something to do with a local bank depositing the equal amount of funds with the Bank of England and then printing that amount in bank-notes. Consequently, they make a neat profit in interest from this. I don't fully understand the process, but it is a bit like that.

It begs the question: why can't Barclay's Bank or Lloyd's Bank print their own notes? This is an anomaly.

I reckon there should be one issuing authority for bank-notes in the UK; one bank-note. Personally, I'd be quite happy with Bank of England notes. I haven't heard many complaints from Welsh people about them.

The Government and the FSA ought to re-examine the regulations which mean that regional banks in the UK can print their own notes. It would be so much simpler, too. There'd be no more confusion arising from retailers and others re the acceptability of local notes, which is a nuisance to those of us who try to spend a local note elsewhere or, indeed, abroad.

How many other countries permit commercial banks to print their own notes?

One United Kingdom, one bank-note.

Honey Nut Bran Flakes: Tesco's Response

I have received similar replies to my inquiry about Honey and Nut Bran Flakes breakfast cereal from Sainsbury and Tesco. Here is Tesco's response:-


Thank you for your email.

Our Buying Managers decide what we sell in our stores, so I've passed your request to their department. Unfortunately, I can't guarantee that we'll stock this product again, but I can at least assure you that our Buying Manager will consider your request.

Thank you for taking the time to contact us.

If you have any further queries please do not hesitate to contact us at customer.service@tesco.co.uk quoting TES6044353X

A Sale Offer Or Simply A Bargain?

I was at Connswater this morning, paying a visit to the Tesco supermarket and, at the aisle where they sell their pots and pans, a rather fine frying-pan caught my eye. Our current large frying-pan is beginning to show its age - wear-and-tear and all that - so I was keen to buy a new one.

I noticed this pan because it was Tesco's "Professional Cook, 30cm Tri-Ply Sauté Pan" with two handles and a 25 year guarantee.

It was lying on its own and there was an assistant near by, so I inquired as to the price and it was £8.75. This sounded a bargain to me; there was no price displayed so I didn't know its original cost.

When I got home I checked Tesco's website and it is still on sale at £34.25. I appear to have saved £25.50!

Gosh.

Who Is The Stig?

Anyone who regularly watches the BBC's flagship motoring programme, Top Gear, will be immediately aware to whom I allude: The Stig, an arcane, invisible man who always wears a Formula One white racing suit and who remains mute.

The question has been pondered often: Who is the Stig? Well, a Daily Telegraph journalist claims to know. They think it is none other than Ben Collins, a professional stunt-driver.

Who am I to argue?

Welcome Back, Mr Clarke

It is gratifying to see the Right Honourable Kenneth - Ken - Clarke, QC, MP, finally returning to his rightful place on the front benches of Her Majesty's Opposition. Mr Clarke has always had a refreshingly direct and frank political style, unlike most senior politicians nowadays.

Mr Clarke has always held strong pro-Europe views, and this stance does tend to alienate him from those who wish to keep our European cousins at arm's length.

No matter. I'm just pleased that he's back; and I am confident that Mr Clarke shall prove to be a formidable opponent against his ministerial counterpart, the Lord Mandelson. I have no doubt as to whom I'd consider the more trustworthy of the two; and it's not the scheming Machiavellian, Peter Mandelson.

Heathrow's Proposed Third Runway

I have no objection, in principle, to reasonable improvements and extensions to the infrastructure of airports, provided that there is the capacity and space to realize such a development. I'm generally in favour, for instance, of an extension of the runway at Belfast City Airport, as long as it fulfils planning guidelines and restrictions.

As far as the proposed third runway at London's Heathrow Airport is concerned, whilst I am not opposed to another runway, I would object to the destruction of historic villages and bulldozing of ancient graveyards; the annihilation of listed buildings and devastation of woodland; and generally wiping out generations of livelihoods and villagers' way of life.

If the Government and others wish to do this with such consequences, I oppose it.

Indian Meal At Odyssey Pavilion, Belfast

The severe gale had eased off by the time I left home yesterday evening for a trip to the Odyssey Pavilion in Belfast. I'd arranged to have a meal with a friend from my school days whom I hadn't seen for ages. I drove.

The giant Odyssey complex, at Queen's Quay, was heaving. The main car park was almost filled to capacity and there were crowds of people. Obviously there was a major concert or event at the arena.

We wondered whether we'd be able to get a table at the Indian Ocean restaurant on the ground floor of the Pavilion. It's a large restaurant and it was almost full with diners; however, we only had to queue for ten or fifteen minutes in order to get a table. Our table was opposite the bar counter.

It's quite awhile since I've dined at an Indian restaurant. I seem to recall generous helpings, with sufficient portions to share. This was not the case here. I had Chicken Korma with pilau rice, and this was the perfect amount for me. I ate the lot, with no wastage at all; no need for a Tupperware container or doggy bag! My meal tasted fine, though I thought the sauce was slightly runny with no sign of any onion, almond, sultanas or anything. Is this usually the case with a restaurant Korma sauce? The menu was lengthy, so perhaps I should have chosen something else. Still, I enjoyed it and that was what mattered.

We shared a garlic nan bread. Personally I couldn't see or taste much garlic; but, as I've said before, I like garlic and lots of it. I always thought Indian people liked copious amounts of garlic too, so given that, if someone orders anything with garlic - and they presumably like garlic - why don't they serve garlic nan with liberal heaps of the stuff? Better still, it could be steeped in garlic butter. Our nan bread was quite dry.

Despite this, it was enjoyable. It is a popular place; so, too, is the Pizza Hut branch at the Odyssey because there was a snake-like queue outside waiting to get in.

The bill for two curries, one nan bread, one beer and one half shandy came to about £34.

Exiting the Pavilion, I paid my car parking charge of £3 and we left.