Archive

1979 Oct 16 - 1983 Jul 18
Prime Ministerial Private Office files

PREM19/1063
Industrial policy (Future of Times newspapers: sale by Thomson Organisation; purchase by Rupert Murdoch's News International)

Source: TNA, PREM19 series
Release date: 2013 Aug 1
Classification: Top Secret
Page count: 111
Any docs withheld?

PREM19/1063 - download whole file (PDF, 15.25 MB)

Selections from this file

Showing items 1 - 10 of 10

Date Value Title
79 Oct 16 Tu Major Industrial policy: Nott minute to MT ("Times Newspapers dispute") [owners threatening to close in response to union troubles; MT concurs with advice that Government should not intervene] [declassified Aug 2013]
80 Oct 21 Tu Major Industrial policy: Nott minute to MT ("The Times") ["the cause of the closure is the continuing troubled history of industrial relations"] [declassified Aug 2013]
81 Jan 19 Mo Major Industrial policy: Oppenheim briefing for MT ("The Times") [latest position on negotiations for sale - Murdoch bid to be favoured; advice for Parliamentary Question Time regarding referral to Monopolies Commission] [declassified Aug 2013]
81 Jan 23 Fr Major Industrial policy: No.10 minute to MT ("The Times: PNQ from John Smith") [Murdoch takeover bid: Parliamentary debate on referral to Monopolies Commission] [declassified Aug 2013]
81 Jan 26 Mo Major Industrial policy: Biffen minute to MT ("Times Newspapers") [Murdoch takeover bid] [declassified Aug 2013]
81 Jan 27 Tu Major Industrial policy: Biffen PS letter to No.10 ("Emergency debate on "The Times"") [advance copy of Biffen address to the House] [declassified Aug 2013]
81 Feb 9 Mo Major Industrial policy: MT letter to General Secretary of NATSOPA (sale of the Times Newspapers) ["It was good of you to write to let me know of your support for the proposed sale [to Rupert Murdoch]"] [declassified Aug 2013]
81 Feb 11 We Major Industrial policy: Biffen letter to Pym ("Times Newspapers") [Murdoch acquisition: latest position] [declassified Aug 2013]
81 Mar 27 Fr Major Industrial policy: No.10 record of conversation (MT, Rupert Murdoch) [progress of Times Newspapers] [declassified Aug 2013]
83 Jul 18 Mo Major Industrial policy: Ingham minute to MT ("Financial Times") [latest position regarding ongoing strike action] [declassified Aug 2013]