Budget speculation rife in papers

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The Sunday papers contain much speculation about the contents of Alistair Darling's first Budget.

The Sunday Times says the chancellor will announce a "showroom tax" on the price of new cars, which could see gas-guzzlers costing an extra £2,000.

The Sunday Mirror says there will be "inflation-busting" rises in duty on beers, wines and spirits.

The People says Mr Darling is under pressure from doctors to double the price of 20 cigarettes to £10.

'Spies in the Met'

The News of the World leads with claims the Metropolitan Police has been infiltrated by spies passing on information to Islamic extremists.

It says MI5 suspects that four officers working at different police stations in London could already have leaked details of anti-terror operations.

MI5 bosses believe they were planted as "sleeper agents" to keep al-Qaeda informed of raids, the paper says.

Scotland Yard has said it would not comment on a national security issue.

'National treasure'

The Sunday Telegraph leads with calls for an Armed Forces Day from senior military officers, MPs and the families of service personnel killed in action.

On the day, troops would be encouraged to wear uniform in public and open days would be held at barracks.

Under the headline The Lady Returns to Health, the paper runs a photograph of Lady Thatcher leaving hospital.

Her biographer Charles Moore suggests the once controversial leader is in danger of becoming a national treasure.

Artificial sperm

The Independent on Sunday says plutonium is to be transported across Britain in an unarmed ship.

Terrorism experts tell the paper the plans to transport plutonium, which terrorists could use to make a nuclear bomb, are "totally irresponsible".

The Observer leads with a report that MPs want to amend new legislation to allow babies to be conceived with artificial sperm created from stem cells.

It says a "furious debate" is building ahead of a Commons vote on the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill.