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Archive (Walters MSS)

Economy: Alan Walters diary [PM annoyed at Invergordon leak; does not fall for Young’s crooked figures][released 2012]

Document type: Declassified documents
Source: Walters MSS (Churchill Archives Centre): WTRS 3/1/2
Editorial comments: Read other entries from this diary. View all Walters documents. The original diary can be studied here
Importance ranking: Major
Word count: 166
Themes: Industry, Monetary policy, Privatized & state industries, Public spending & borrowing

Thursday 4th March 1982

PM very annoyed at leak on Invergordon

Ferdy M. phoned to confirm his interest in JH s job

Adrian Smith phoned to say that he had talked to John (CPRS)

Draft of budget speech - not bad, but required a lot of pruning to get it over.

PM praised WW [William Whitelaw] at cabinet for the Hijack Success

- in spite of the fact that SHE was controlling it all

- part of the program of flattering WW

Andrews present

Invergordon Smelter - difference of coal price £10.77 a ton to give them a profit and a price of NCB £37 a ton

- PM anxious to keep it open but did not fall for George Young’s crooked figures - “surplus of coal” in Scotland cannot close pits etc.

- Open cast at £18 a ton - tie pit and smelter together

Andrew’s Party: met Ronnie Miller again - he has new play opening 1st April - very disgruntled with PM.