At the end of the euro's first week in circulation, the Leader of the House of Commons, Robin Cook, said Britain would find it increasingly difficult to play a leading role in Europe if it remained outside the single currency.

Two former Conservative cabinet ministers, Lord Lamont and Lord Brittan, crossed swords on the issue. Lord Lamont suggested the problems facing the German economy were evidence of the dangers member countries faced by being prevented from setting their own interest rates.

As thousands of rail commuters in the UK braced themselves for another round of strikes, the head of the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union, Vernon Hince, admitted that the immediate outlook for passengers was "dismal".

According to George Muir of the Association of Train Operating Companies, the walkout showed it was time to end "the culture of unionism" within the industry.

And solo yachting heroine Ellen MacArthur told Sir David that she planned to cap her round-the-world triumph by doing it all again next winter - in the fastest time possible.

This weeks transcripts:

The Leader of the House of Commons, Robin Cook

Former Conservative cabinet ministers, Lord Lamont and Lord Brittan

Vernon Hince and Goerge Muir

Yachting heroine Ellen MacArthur