Mrs Thatcher pays tribute to husband

Mrs Thatcher, on her last day in Australia, paid tribute to her husband, Denis, and his help during her tour.

Wearing a crisp white gaberdine dress and jacket, trimmed with navy blue, she said to me that her husband's presence meant a great deal, and that she was always aware of his support.

“I think the marvellous thing is that Denis Thatcherhe gives me a sense of perspective. If I am upset or think I have done something silly, then we talk about it and he makes me see sense.”

It is interesting to see Mr Thatcher 's growing confidence on the tour. At he beginning, he seemed slightly uncertain, but now he escorts his wife with his hands held behind his back, exactly like Prince Philip.

Remarkable impact

Mrs Thatcher's appetite for hard work and application can never be exaggerated. She said that frequently she sits up till four in the morning working on the structure of a speech. “If I am not happy with it, I just tear it apart and start all over again.”

On her last day her impact was remarkable. She confidently addressed the Liberal Party in the morning and got a standing ovation. In the afternoon she visited the Press Club in Canberra to meet lobby journalists informally.

Today she leaves Canberra and will go round Sydney Harbour before leaving by air for India, where she is to meet Mrs Gandhi, the Prime Minister.