Hague's pledge strikes right chord

WELSH OFFICE

William Hague, the Secretary of State for Wales, yesterday ventured across Offa's Dyke for the first time since he joined the Cabinet, and promised to try to go one better than his predecessor John Redwood.

"I shall give high priority to learning the Welsh national anthem,'' he promised as he left Nebill Hall hospital in Abergavenny after visiting survivors of Wednesday's horrific coach accident a few miles down the road.

Mr Hague also promised to listen and learn. "Like the bank that listens, I'm a listening minister," he quipped.

When asked which side he would support when Wales and England clash on the rugby field he was firm; "I shall be rooting for Wales," he insisted.

Any newcomer attracts attention in Wales although it takes time to put names to faces. "That's William .... Will-iam Waldegrave isn't it?" inquired Teresa Mills, waiting in the sunshine outside the hospital.

Her husband John a 40-year-old Ebbw Vale steelworker extended a welcoming hand, saying "Congratulations, minister."

"Thank you very much," responded Mr Hague before he disappeared.

"I don't know his name but he looks a decent young chap," Mr Mills confided.

In the hospital's spruce reception area Michelle Michaelis, a self-employed businesswoman recognised the new man at once and put her knowledge to good use by showing the sort of initiative beloved by young upwardly mobile politicians.

Miss Michaelis rents a store from the hospital for pounds 50 a day and sells personalised headbands to visitors, staff, patients and anyone else with pounds 1.99 to invest, and speedily knocked out a sequinned "William" on the black band.

The betting is that Mr Hague, who seems determined to launch a charm offensive, will declare the gift in the Members' Register of Interests.