Thursday 16th September 1982
PM agreed to circulate the Minford Report on unemployment - but v. limited to C/E, CPRS, NT [Norman Tebbit]
PS [Private Secretary] lunch - dominated by the NHS dispute and NF’s [Norman Fowler] offer for 2 year + permanent.
PM off to China
Jock B/G [Jock Bruce Gardyne] + Peter M [Peter Middleton] : CBI already told PM that they are going for NIS [National Insurance Surcharge] elimination, Eliminating Investment Surcharge and Reduction of Rates. J B/G agreed that we let the CBI get away with NIS last year - they lobbied backbenchers. Reassured JBG about National Savings and suggested some room for interest rate reductions.