'It looks as if the NHS will gradually fade away' says crime writer and Labour peer Ruth Rendell.

The search is on to find out the identity of the British politician with whom Ruth Rendell (pictured), 78, had a secret affair.

What's put a gleam in Ruth Rendell's eye? It might be the fact that the Max Mosley case has made her new Barbara Vine novel about sex scandals in Parliament so topical. Or maybe she's keeping a saucy secret...

Ruth Rendell may be the mistress of the crime mystery, but there is one case that even her celebrated creation, Inspector Wexford, would be unlikely to solve: The Case of the Mystery Writer's Secret Political Lover.

At the present time, it is impossible to do too much to raise public awareness of cardiovascular disease. Heart disease, stroke and related conditions account for two-thirds of all premature deaths in England...

My Lords, I congratulate my noble friend Lord Dubs on initiating this debate and I declare an interest as vice-president of Shelter.