Right: Now I've read and carefully considered everybody's comments for which I am very grateful. Clearly there is no printer that the majority can recommend which fulfills my requirements. Only HP printers and the Canon iP4700 get any praise so, as it is possible to get cheap 3rd party cartridges, refillable cartridges and even an ink tank system for the iP4700 I think I will probably go in that direction. At least I will defeat Mr Canon's idea of doubling his profits from ink sales by halving the capacity of his ink cartridges in these printers!
Once again everybody, many thanks for your help.
P.P.