With all the current interest (to put it mildly) in getting politicians to 'fess up to the size of their, er, "campaign donations", perhaps the Government could have a look at the California system. Having had enough of campaign finance shenanigans, Californians decided a few years ago that their elected officials should have to put on public record the source and size of any donation over $50.

Happily, the new law has dovetailed nicely with the take-off of the Internet, which prompted San Francisco, for one, to require politicians to list such donations, online, within 24 hours of the donation.

Trolling through donor lists can be a fascinating and highly revealing exercise, especially in the final days of an election when politicians seek to restock their depleted campaign warchest.

Surely in our budding Information Age State, at a time when the Government is making noise about using the Net to be more in touch with its citizens, such a system would be immensely helpful in clarifying matters before a tribunal has to be called?