An Englishman, a Scotsman, an Irishman and a Welshman were travelling in an aircraft that went out of control and was about to crash.

To their dismay, they discovered that there were only three parachutes in the plane.

The Scotsman argued that he ought to have one since he was a very important businessman whose death would result in the collapse of the stock market.

The Welshman handed him over the first parachute and he baled out.

Next the Irishman argued that he should be given a parachute.

He was an important politician upon whom all hope of peace in Ireland rested.

The Welshman silently put the straps over the Irishman’s shoulders and the Irish- man jumped out after the Scotsman.

The Welshman now turned to the Englishman and handed him a parachute.

‘Here you are,’ he said cheerfully.

‘But what about you?’ gasped the Englishman, amazed at his unflinching heroism.

‘Oh, I’ll be all right,’ said the Welshman.

‘I gave the Irishman my haversack.’