Speeches, etc.

Margaret Thatcher

Remarks departing for Venice G7

Document type: Speeches, interviews, etc.
Venue: Northolt Airfield, West London
Source: Thatcher Archive: COI transcript
Journalist: Lindsay Duncan, ITN
Editorial comments: Around 1555. MT spoke briefly to an ITN crew on the tarmac before boarding her plane.
Importance ranking: Minor
Word count: 217
Themes: Economic policy - theory and process, General Elections, Foreign policy - theory and process
First question missing

Prime Minister

Well, it is not so much a trip to Venice—you know one goes straight to a conference—yes, I do look forward to it because we shall be discussing very important things: about world trade, about the world financial position, about terrorism and about east-west and a number of other very important things—probably world surpluses in agriculture as well.

Lindsay Duncan, ITN

What can you achieve in such a short visit?

Prime Minister

What can I achieve? Well I am going for the two main things for which heads of Government meet together; that is tonight and tomorrow morning. Then we have englarged sessions at which Geoffrey Howe and Nigel Lawson will take over and very well they will do it, but these are the two sessions which I am going for; the heads of Government meet.

Lindsay Duncan, ITN

Can I ask you honestly: has it got anything to do with the election here? [end p1]

Prime Minister

Nothing at all, nothing at all. I think you would complain bitterly if Britain was not represented at top level there and you would be justified.