What the papers say

Journalist Paul Moore reviews Monday morning's newspapers.

According to The Daily Express, the date of the general election will be the key topic of conversation when Tony Blair meets the Queen on Tuesday.

The paper speculates that the Queen will be urging caution although she would not turn down a direct request to dissolve parliament in readiness for the spring poll.

In its editorial, The Express also praises the lead given in the foot-and-mouth crisis by the Royal Family despite the criticism that they have strayed into political territory.

This praise will be welcome given the poll reported in The Daily Mail.

The results of the MORI investigation shows that the public still think the Royal Family is less than hard-working, is too remote and lack relevance in the modern age.

However, 54% of those interviewed did feel the royals were good for Britain's image abroad.

In its comment, the paper says that the overwhelming conclusion is that the monarchy may be changing - but not fast enough.

The speed of change in the modern army is analysed in The Daily Telegraph, in an article about the field trials designed to test the ability of women to serve in front-line combat units.

While a study commissioned by the army has found that women are as capable as men of serving in such units the army's director of infantry, Brigadier Seymour Monroe, is quoted as saying that the physical tests of performance had been made easier for the women taking part.

In its editorial The Telegraph makes its position absolutely clear.

It argues that "had military efficiency been the chief consideration, the conclusion would have been that women should serve only in positions for which they are suited".

This debate rages on the day when three female soldiers begin their Royal Marine Commandos course in Devon.

The Guardian reports that a security blunder could endanger the lives of officers in the RUC.

The paper claims that personal details of 20 officers were stolen from a car at the Abbeycentre five weeks ago and the police believe the material is now in the hands of leading members of the Provisional IRA.

An RUC press spokesman is quoted as refusing to discuss any matters pertaining to security of individuals.

The security of the border in relation to the foot-and-mouth crisis is exercising Brid Rodgers and Bertie Ahern according to The Irish News.

The paper says that Mrs Rodgers on Sunday night defended Northern Ireland's controls following weekend criticism from the Irish premier.

The agriculture minister insisted there had been constant contact with her counterpart in the south.

In its editorial The Irish News says that it is worrying there appears to be muddled contacts when dealing with such a potentially disastrous problem.

The Mirror informs us in its editorial that it is William Hague's 40th birthday.

It suggests that he peaked at the age of 14 when he wowed the Conservative conference, but since then he has lost "a lot of hair and even more voters".

But as the paper says, let's not be churlish - Happy Birthday Billy!

Finally beware your mobile text messages.

A jilted lover was fined £100 for sending an obscene text message.

He might have got away with the content but sending it to the wrong woman was inexcusable.