P508ORACLE 508 Mon27 Jan C4 1714:08   THE      Mon 16.00    £ Index 73.7 (-0.6) Fri close 74.3 £1 = $1.3845 (-59 points) £1 = $1.3904 An improvement in North Sea oil prices allowed sterling to rise from early lows to near overnight positions but it has since come under further pressure. The pound suffers most against the Continentals, giving up four pfennigs to the mark while losing less than 75 points to a weaker dollar. Dealers pinpointed the political situation as a major influence in the market, restricting trade and leaving international operators cautious. BARGAIN TRAVEL BRITISH RAIL *** 125