Mr. Angleton said today in a telephone interview that "we were within our mandate" from the executive branch when the surveillance was done.

But the bill puts all minorities within its mandate.

Thus the core of our concern is rape itself, and fighting it falls within our mandate.

He said the order was within the city's mandate to protect its citizens from hazard.

Last night a spokeswoman said it was "not within the company's mandate to express any political view".

KfW is not allowed to compete with commercial banks, but it facilitates their business in areas within its mandate.

We stayed within our mandate, and we tried to be constructive.

Therefore, it is not within my mandate to get involved in the kind of political activities that you are asking of me.

Unlawful behaviour, when it falls within my mandate, is always a form of maladministration.

I don't consider it within my mandate to hear or say or do anything that isn't on the record.