"The Conservative assembly leader would of course scrap the air link depriving businesses and families of a crucial service, " said the spokesman.

BBC: Tories criticise 'Ieuan air' link

The Welsh assembly is being given the power to scrap tuition fees from 2006.

BBC: The assembly could scrap fees from 2006

The official announcement at the Welsh Assembly on Thursday follows a decision in Scotland to scrap 43 health trusts there and replace them with 15 health boards.

BBC: Hutt scraps all health authorities

As members of the conference's preparatory committee, the 20 members of the Governing Council who did not win posts in Mr Allawi's government have already awarded themselves seats in the 100-seat National Assembly, which will leave the 1, 000 delegates at the conference to scrap over the remaining 80.

ECONOMIST: Onward, Muslim soldiers? | The