The Prime Minister has spent much of the day in face-to-face talks with the Soviet leader, Mr Gorbachev, at the Kremlin. The plan had been for the two leaders to have a session this morning and one this afternoon. But, in both cases, their talks ran well over schedule. In fact, it's not clear whether the afternoon session really finished. Mrs Thatcher had been expected to return to the British Embassy before attending a Kremlin banquet given by Mr Gorbachev. Instead, the Prime Minister&em;without changing&em;went straight to the banquet. There, both leaders were due to make speeches. It seems, well laid plans by British and Soviet officials have had to be thrown to one side because of the time the two leaders have spent together. By all accounts their discussions have been fruitful&em;a point made by Mrs Thatcher herself after the morning session ran over by almost two hours: [end p1]
MT
They were too interesting to break off so we went on and shall be returning at four o'clock. They were very frank and very very valuable. They ranged very widely indeed over world affairs, different political systems and also extensively on arms control.
Q
Did you get down to the nitty gritty as you predicted?
MT
Yes, yes indeed.