News In Brief

Thousands of trade unionists and Labour Party members are presenting an open letter to the Prime Minister, urging him to reinstate 500 sacked Liverpool dockers. Four of those sacked by the Mersey Dock and Harbour Company, in which the Government has a 40 per cent share, are in London to lobby Mr Blair in person. Labour MPs and councillors among many party members urging the Prime Minister to use its "golden share" to reinstate the dockers.

A bill to protect pub names is being introduced in the Commons. The Public House (Names) Bill was drawn up by the Conservative MP, Nicholas Winterton, after an attempt to change the name of his local, the Boar's Head, to the Pig and Truffle. A recent Commons Early day Motion tabled by Mr Winterton -- and signed by several Labour MPs -- "deeply regrets the growing trend towards theme pubs, with contrived names that have no relevance for the local community and which can cause embarrassment, ridicule and a sense of alienation for local people."

Peter Mandelson, the Minister without Portfolio, who is already considered one of the most influential members of Tony Blair's Government, is standing for election to the Labour Party's ruling body, the National Executive Committee. Though not a Cabinet member, Mr Mandelson exercises considerable influence by chairing several key Cabinet sub-committees. He is also responsible for ensuring that the £590 Millennium Experience in Greenwich is a success. Every member of the party has a vote in the ballot for the NEC. The results will be announced at the party conference in Brighton in October.

Burger King has announced it will follow the lead set by McDonald's last week and put British beef back in its burgers. The chain said it expected to spend £10 million a year on meat from British producers - accounting for half its supply. The rest will continue to come from European suppliers, following arrangements in place before the company imposed a ban on home-produced beef in the wake of the BSE scare last year.