The Prime Minister is in Liverpool on an unannounced visit to see for herself the damage caused by the rioting. Mrs. Thatcher's been talking to police officers and community leaders, and touring the Toxteth district of the city, which saw the worst of the violence. It was there in the early hours of last monday that police used CS gas in their efforts to disperse rioters. From Liverpool, Ralph Smith reports: [end p1]
In Upper Parliament Street, part of a large burned out building was actually being demolished as Mrs Thatcher arrived. It was here that she stopped to talk to staff at an old peoples' hospital next door, which had to be evacuated at the height of the fire.
"She said they're doing well, like, you know, and shook hands with us. And she says I hope everything will be done better than what it used to."
You were on the hospital steps when Mrs Thatcher arrived, what did she say to you.
"She said good morning, and how are you. And how are you coping. And then went on to say 'well done', to everybody."
Then Mrs Thatcher was off again on her tour. There were groups of policemen at every corners. But that's nothing new since the street violence began. She spent some time at police headquarters talking with the officers, and then it was on to see Civic leaders.