There are some interesting comments here, both from Catharine and Michael B. These tend to highlight some of the complexities of actual policy making decisions. I remember reading an interview by an Australian government minister commenting on resources allocated to his department to deal with either the potential bird flu (or was it SARS ?) epidemic. He said, in effect, after receiving and spending a budget of S x ‘ If nothing happens, my department will be criticised for wasting all this money. If something does happen, I will be criticised for not asking for ten times the amount !). No east answers… ,
