Economy: Alan Walters diary [sends PM a memo suggesting oil prices will fall more than anyone thinks; PM got cold feet on ASLEF][released 2012]

Document type:	Declassified documents
Source:	Walters MSS (Churchill Archives Centre): WTRS3/1/2
Editorial comments:	Read other entries from this diary. View all Walters documents. The original diary can be studied here
Importance ranking:	Major
Word count:	126
Themes:	Monetary policy, Trade unions, Strikes & other union action

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.