HOME Secretary Jack Straw has drawn up emergency plans to keep in touch with England's first World Cup match on Monday - despite being on his feet answering question in the Commons for the entire second half.

The Blackburn MP was horrified to learn that his government responsibilities meant he had to be in the Chamber instead of in front of the TV set.

The Rovers fan immediately rescheduled his regular pre-meeting for briefing before Home Office Questions so it finished at 1.15pm - in time for him to see at least the first half which begins at 1.30pm.

As he has to be on the Government benches and on his feet for Home Office Questions from 2.30 to 3.30pm, Mr Straw has devised a secret "action plan" to be kept informed of events.

It is understood that civil servants and advisers will monitor the match and get information to Mr Straw via friendly MPs, whips and his parliamentary private secretary. This is the normal means of keeping sports mad ministers up to speed with matches.

Whether Burnley MP Peter Pike - also required in the Commons Chamber to ask a question - will benefit from such a service is unclear.

Fellow Burnley fan Alastair Campbell had similar support from political advisers in the Downing Street press office when he had to attend the European Single Currency Summit in Brussels during the Clarets vital last match of the season.

He was regularly phoned and paged as the team avoided relegation from the second division - and ensured Euro-leaders knew of their success!

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