That, presumably, is the intention of Lionel Jospin, the Socialist prime minister and Mr Chirac's probable opponent in the 2002 presidential election.

ECONOMIST: The Euro-confusion in France

Mr Clark's probable replacement as head of a revamped Cabinet Office was thought to be Peter Mandelson, the prime minister's fixer, who has been notably unenthusiastic about the freedom of information bill.

ECONOMIST: Freedom of information