Thanks Hamwich and also John and Tim. This is the most comprehensive and helpful input I have had to date. I have disconnected the cable from the footbrake end and also detatched it from the foot of the handbrake lever. The fitting on my cable looks as if it is fixed and there is no way that the cable can slide through it. As far as I can tell the hand brake and foot brake are incapable of opperating as individual units with this set-up.
I will not have access to the car over the next week but will have another look as soon as I can.
Once again, many thanks for your input
