Obituary: Ien Dales

Ien Dales, politician, died Utrecht 10 January, aged 62. Appointed Dutch Home Affairs Minister in Ruud Lubbers' centre-left coalition cabinet in November 1989. Negotiated wage deals with the powerful civil service unions and acquired a reputation for driving a hard bargain. Previously Director of Social Services for Rotterdam (1977-81), State Secretary for social affairs (1981-82) and mayor of the eastern city of Nijmegen (1987-89).