Prince Charles letters to ministers: Summary
In a series of letters to ministers published today, Prince Charles expressed concerns over a range of issues, including environment and conservation, the Armed Forces and health policy.
Here is a summary of the ten letters from the Prince of Wales to ministers that were released today.
Correspondence with Prime Minister Tony Blair
In a series of exchanges in 2004 and 2005, Prince Charles wrote at length encouraging the government to take measures to support British farmers, and raising concerns about issues such as the rise of bovine tuberculosis - which at the time was rising.
He also discussed the Armed Forces, referencing the failure to quickly replace the Lynx helicopter as "just one more example where our Armed Forces are being asked to do an extremely challenging job (particularly in Iraq) without the necessary resources".
In a later letter, the Prince of Wales also suggested more work be done to promote energy efficiency in the home, and called for regulation of the herbal medicines industry to prevent users being forced onto the black market.
Correspondence with Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell
The first of three letters to Tessa Jowell from 2004 and 2005 saw Charles inviting the then-Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport to speak at a conference for one of his charities.
In another letter, Charles expressed pleasure that London's historic Smithfield Market had been awarded Grade II listed status, following campaigns including from the Prince himself.
A final letter called for "a bit of imaginative flexibility" to protect the future of huts built by British polar explorers Captain Robert Scott and Ernest Shackleton.
Correspondence with Education Secretaries Charles Clarke and Ruth Kelly
A September 2004 letter from Education Secretary Charles Clarke thanked the Prince of Wales for a letter about healthy eating in schools, and assured him that work was being done to improve food quality.
Later letters discussed the success of three summer schools - created in partnership between the Department for Education and one of the Prince's charities.
Correspondence with Environment Minister Elliot Morley
This 2004 correspondence discussed illegal fishing, and in particular the decline of the albatross - thought to be a direct result of the practice.
Correspondence with Health Secretary John Reid
A 2004-2005 correspondence related to the Prince's concerns about a "log-jam" in the regeneration of the site of Cherry Knowle Hospital in Sunderland.
Further correspondence relates to Charles' misgivings over planned EU legislation on herbal medicines, which were also referenced in his letters to Blair.
Correspondence with Northern Ireland Secretary Paul Murphy
In this 2004 letter, Charles discussed the Armagh Gaol - a Northern Irish prison left abandoned for several years - and offered the help of his charity, Pheonix Trust, in any regeneration efforts.
Correspondence with Trade and Industry Secretary Patrica Hewitt
Writing to Charles in 2004, Patricia Hewitt informed him that had met with one of the Prince's charities, In Kind Direct, but would not be able to help it with funding. Charles responded to thank her.