Peter Lugg, Anglia TV
Mrs Thatcher had asked to visit a successful local company and in Luton that meant a call at H-Plan, a firm specialising in the manufacture of bedroom furniture. If her thoughts were with other events going on at the Albert Hall she didn't show it. The Prime Minister toured the shopfloor displaying the kind of interest you'd expect from a businessman contemplating a take-over. She even attempted to assemble her own cabinet—or was it her new home she had in mind?
MT
… lovely things. Did you see them?
Peter Lugg, Anglia TV
Will you have them in your new home?
MT
I certainly would have them in my home.
Peter Lugg, Anglia TV
Outside the Prime Minister's Daimler pulled away to shouts from a small huddle of anti-apartheid demonstrators. Then it was on to Harpenden to an old people's day centre. Of pensionable age herself Mrs Thatcher had a perfect right to use the building. Not that her brisk pace showed any signs of slowing down.
With the result of the Westland shareholders' meeting imminent Mrs Thatcher arrived at the premises of Cros field Electronics in Hemel Hempstead. The company produces laser based printing equipment, now set to revolutionise the publishing industry. The Chinese trade delegation chose the right moment to announce a new order. A present for the Prime Minister sealed the deal.
Her own image stored in the computer the Prime Minister made it clear that this was her kind of company. The inevitable questions followed:
cut to factory floorPeter Lugg, Anglia TV
Have you been keeping up with the news from the Albert Hall Prime Minister?
MT
Uh, well, at lunchtime there wasn't, um, they had broken for lunch, which seemed a very sensible thing to do. I think it will be quite a time before we have a …
word inaudibleReporter
Mrs Thatcher we have … British Aerospace now say there was a genuine misunderstanding …
MT
[interrupts] Look, let's not go into that. [end p1]
Same Reporter
… [words inaudible]
MT
… Just right now, we are here in a company that's a world leader in this field. Let's boost the very good news of today and not get obsessed by one thing. All right?
Same Reporter
Yeh, but isn't it also, what I have just said, that British Aerospace say there was a genuine misunderstanding. Sir Raymond LygoSir Raymond has …
MT
What we said in the House … what we have been saying in the House for some time. It is very good when any problem like that is sorted out.
Same Reporter
Is it good news for your government as well?
MT
Well, it's just good news when problems are sorted out and misunderstandings are sorted out. They do occur. There's no point in getting too excited about them. That was the trouble.