If it had been "crazy" then, why did it make sense now?And then, one after another, Labour MPs stood up to express their indignation.Even the most dependable MPs, the failsafe back-up systems for the Labour majority, began to splutter alarmingly. She stared out into the enfolding gloom, desperately seeking some friendly light by which she could get her bearings. But the horizon was gone.Bernard Jenkin, the Conservative spokesman, mockingly reminded the House of a barn- storming performance by Andrew Smith, in which the then transport spokesman promised a rapturous Labour conference that "our air is not for sale". At this point a particularly ferocious gust of hilarity from the Tory benches almost flipped her frail craft on its back. She talked of opportunities and radical plans, of safety being paramount and the future being limitless. The Government would be "extending Nats' operational excellence worldwide", she promised, and the new arrangements would include a "stakeholder council".

The Government had hoped to fly in low with its new plans for the partial privatisation of air traffic control, bringing the contraband in under the radar of the Opposition. But she had been spotted and ordered to divert through parliamentary airspace, where she encountered some very nasty turbulence indeed.Called to the dispatch box to answer a Private Notice Question, Ms Liddell wrestled to maintain control of her aircraft, buffeted by gale force ridicule from the opposition benches and an icy downdraft from the benches behind her. I suppose this means that Mr Reid is still a relatively junior officer - if so, it is time he was considered for higher command.Helen Liddell didn't fare nearly so well. The soundbite yesterday was "a partnership of parliaments", repeated several times but with slowly diminishing force, like the weakening attempts of a swimmer to break free from the grip of a powerful current.Still, on form, Mr Reid is as good as anybody at the dispatch box, knocking bodyline balls over the boundary with rare style. He gave a good example yesterday, responding to a Scottish Nationalist MP who had been unwise enough to risk a military metaphor: what was he doing "amassing an army of up to 130 civil servants", he was asked.Mr Reid, who has served time as the minister for armed forces, gave the House a quick instruction in military hierarchy; he didn't have an army, he explained, nor a brigade, nor a battalion, nor even a regiment The best he could muster was company strength. Never a hot ticket, Scottish questions have fallen into an existential crisis since the establishment of the Scottish Parliament.

What is the Secretary of State for Scotland for, exactly? And where precisely does what he is for give way to what the First Minister is for? At the moment, John Reid's sole task appears to be answering questions about the legitimacy of his own position, and while he is pretty good at this, one can't help feeling that his talents have been trapped in some constitutional eddy, whirled around in a dirty spume of jurisdictional anomalies. By the luck of the draw, the final session before MPs departed for the summer recess was Questions to the Secretary of State for Scotland. One of the leading bands in the dance music scene.The toughest record on the block, it extends the vocabulary of techno with drive, intelligence and crystalline beats.8-1. IT SEEMED as if it might end with a whimper not a bang. Sir Simon Rattle conducting will certainly not harm.Ades's music is disturbing, humorous and always surprising. A landmark in contemporary classical composition.16-1Underworld: Beaucoup FishCame to public attention in 1994 with album Dubnobasswithmyheadman.

Had hit single "Born Slippy", from the Trainspotting soundtrack.Rating: Everyone rates them. They released their debut album two years ago.Run of the mill indy. Overrated.Straight ahead guitar rock brimming with raw energy and excitement.6-1Talvin Singh: OKAsian artist from London's east end Has worked with Bjork and David Sylvian. This is his first solo album.Traditional Asian music plus drum and bass; somehow it doesn't quite take off.A creator of electrifying rhythms and energy, Talvin Singh takes the listener on musical trip across a global landscape.10-1Thomas Ades: AsylaStill in his 20s he has already gained a considerable reputation as one of Britain's most challenging and innovative composers.This could just be the year for a classical album to win. Their preachy stance contradicts the subversiveness they once promised.Accessible, powerful, subversive.

The Manics are the last great rock utopians.3-1 favouritesStereophonics:Performance & CocktailsThe South Wales band has built up a reputation as a fine live act. Ssurvived strange disappearance of their singer- songwriter but went from strength to strength.Sanctimonious and uninspiring performers. The coolest thing in Barnsley.A fine young singer has drawn on the passion and sensuality of English folk song to make an album of remarkable freshness.16-1Manic Street Preachers: This Is My Truth Tell Me YoursWelsh, football-mad guitar band. plinky plonky trashy euro technoUncompromising urban dance album of great songs. Engaging, chilled out and always rewarding.7-1Kate Rusby: SleeplessFrom Barnsley, she is at the forefront of a vibrant new generation of young British folk singers.Aged 25, will not leave her home town, co-owns her record label with her parents. So he has a good role model.He celebrates classic jazz rhythms with verve and confidence. This album marks the emergence of a new generation in British jazz.16-1Faithless: Sunday 8pmEssential ingredient of British dance music, their debut album, Salva Mea, only dented the charts but 18 months later was a world-wide hit.Not very cool...