Lines of demarcation between the various executive functions are rigidly, even religiously observed - sometimes as inflexible as those in the old-style trade union movement. Witness this apocryphal tale.

An old woman on an aircraft just happened to find herself sitting next to the Pope. It was stormy outside, the aircraft rocked by severe turbulence. So the kindly, grey-haired old dear, greatly agitated by the prospect of finally meeting her maker, turned to her Papal neighbour. "Father, surely you can do something about this?".

To which the Pope replied, " Sorry lady, I'm in sales, not management." Bum . . bum.