The hole in public finances, which was meant to be closing, gapes ever wider.

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Labour MP for Ilford South Mike Gapes highlighted a report by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) into the deaths of two pregnant women at Queen's Hospital.

BBC: MPs criticise Ilford hospital maternity changes

The gag unfolds when a distracted pedestrian gapes at a nearby board for the VW Polo with a surprisingly affordable price while he unwittingly heads right for the pole.

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Mike Gapes, deputy chairman of Labour friends for Israel, said Mr Sharon's plan gives "the beginnings of a possibility" of some movement towards a two state solution for the Middle East.

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Labour's Mike Gapes said it was in Britain's "national interest" for the eurozone to succeed, and claimed Conservative MPs wanted the euro to fail because they were opposed to monetary union.

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"The international community needs to convey publicly that it intends to outlast the insurgency and remain in Afghanistan until the Afghan authorities are able take control of their own security, " Gapes said.

CNN: House of Commons report critical of Britain's Afghan war effort

And while Sarkozy gapes at the awe-inspiring ruins of Petra in Jordan, accompanied by his new girlfriend Bruni, the presidential palace is preparing itself for a battle to win back the nation's confidence.

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"The U.K. has experienced mission creep from its initial goal of supporting the U.S. in countering international terrorism, far into the realms of counter-insurgency, counter-narcotics, protection of human rights and state building, " committee chairman Mike Gapes said.

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Mr Gapes said the quality of care was becoming secondary to "deficit-reducing bean-counting", telling MPs he was "extremely angry at the betrayal of my constituents" and pointing out that the current government had spoken out against the closure of hospital services whilst in opposition.

BBC: MPs criticise Ilford hospital maternity changes