Surveying the Galactic Plane with XMM-Newton

We propose the continuation in AO2 of an ambitious longterm programme tosurvey the inner regions of the Galaxy using XMMNewton. Our revised strategyinvolves the mapping of a strip of the Galactic Plane between Galacticlongitudes 622 degrees. The XMM observations will surpass current Xray data bya factor of 100 in sensitivity whilst providing excellent spatial and spectralresolution. Complementary radio, optical and nearIR imaging will provide a keyasset for the interpretation of the Xray data. This survey will lead to majoradvances in our understanding of accretion processes, star formation, stellarcoronae, SNRs and the hot ISM. truncated!, Please see actual data for full text [truncated!, Please see actual data for full text]