Only one notable unpleasantness marked Samoa's politics in Malietoa's time, the murder of a minister of public works in 1999, allegedly to prevent him from revealing the details of a corruption scandal.

ECONOMIST: Malietoa Tanumafili II

Minister of Housing and Public Works Ignatius Chombo said that by the end of the week it would release more details of the plans to resettle thousands of people.

BBC: Zimbabwe land showdown

"Today we have extremely sophisticated technological equipment that is extremely expensive to buy, but which contributes nothing to the financing of the works that circulate on that same equipment, " Culture Minister Aurelie Filipetti said following the release of the report.

BBC: French MPs use tablets in parliament (19 February 2013)

Minister for Regional Development Danny Kennedy said the next phase of the Belfast on the Move works will begin on 28 January.

BBC: Belfast motorists warned of new roadworks

Culture Minister Ed Vaizey MP said the piece, "perhaps one of the most televised works of art in London, is badly in need of some care and attention".

BBC: Henry Moore House of Lords piece to be restored

Perhaps Mr Moriarty had in mind Jagat Gauchan, the minister for physical planning and works, who once served a year in prison in connection with the attempted murder of a journalist.

ECONOMIST: The king's autocratic methods worsen Nepal's crisis

The DRD minister introduced a package of measures to encourage people back into the city centre and even ordered an embargo on road works on main routes across the city from 26 November until after Christmas.

BBC: Bus lane

But here is a resonant fact: the executive chairman of HSBC at the relevant time, Stephen Green, is now Lord Green and works for the prime minister as a minister.

BBC: Barclays�� chairman in firing line