Tory leader has busy day in Bonn

From Our Own Correspondent Bonn, June 27

Mrs Thatcher, the Conservative Party leader, had talks with Government and Opposition leaders today during a crowded first visit to Bonn since she was elected to office.

She discussed the world economic situation and the future development of the European Community with Herr Schmidt, the Chancellor, and Herr Genscher, the Foreign Minister.

Most of her time was spent with leaders of the Christian Democratic Union, the Bonn Opposition. She had an exchange of views for most of the morning with Dr Helmut Kohl, the newly chosen shadow Chancellor, who is also party chairman.

She said at a press conference that now the British people had demonstrated their will to stay in the Community, the Conservatives would be giving renewed attention to closer links with like-minded parties in Europe.

In a comment on the Conservative gain from Labour at the Greenwich, Woolwich, West by-election, Mrs Thatcher said she thought it showed appreciation of the Conservative policy alternatives and displeasure “with the tendency of the present Government not to face Britain's economic position” .