Tuesday 23rd February 1982
Day to catch up on work
EEF Speech - the bit on Ireland + Belgium caused great fluttering in the Treasury and FCO - should not knock our neighbours - she did withdraw attack on U.S. high interest rates etc. apparently in response to Arthur Burns.
Prepared a question/answer on the Kenneth Fleet revelations about IR [Inland Revenue].
Oil prices + budget - sent PM a memo suggesting that (a) oil prices would fall more than anyone thinks. [sic]
JH [John Hoskyns] tells me PM got cold feet on ASLEF and conveyed somehow to BR [British Rail] that she did not want a strike + closure of BR - silly since everyone was ready for a strike and it merely postpones decision.