Monday 8th March 1982
Reviewed Sat’s version of the Budget Speech - one real error about incomes last year and this year (average income confused with incomes of those in work) - GH<[Sir Geoffrey Howe] said strike it out - anyway improved it.
E Cttee on Invergordon - not do anything to give a subsidy on energy Special Highland subsidy - but we try again to see whether there is any energy subsidy way out. PM keeps complaining about inefficiency of Coal mines.
Victor Keagan, Matt Simmons (Tel), Ian Carson (Obs), Tony Clifton (Newsweek) - Keagan quite subdued but I told them budget would be consistent with MTFS and the really tough budget was last year. MTFS had been a great success.
Paddie very depressed about social engineering at school
TV program about Bern Ingham being “deep throat” - Pym episode made a lot of - Peter Hennessy thought it was corrupting
Dinner with Ian Gow.
He is keen on Richard Ryder as Chief Policy Unit
Does not know Ferdy Mount - I suggest that unemployment will be falling in 1984 and probably about 2Ym or even less.