Optimistic Comart Computers Sales Meeting and valuable conversations with D of I’s Tony Keston on contracts for British micros as the Jumbo downing row smoulders on

Another fine but cool day, though I hardly venture out during the daylight hours. An exception to this was first thing when I help Daniel to release the ducks on a beautiful morning by the river. The ducks are moulting and only laying 2 eggs per day. We now retain six adult ducks with one returning to the flock, but now only 10 juveniles remain. They are all eating far too much and the youngsters are now due to start laying.

To the office and another large post which I leave to join the Comart Sales Meeting. This meeting, under David Fear’s guidance, brings together the volume sales executives and reports forecasts of future business, reviewing product problems and opportunities along the way. Prospects look good for a £1M first quarter – well ahead of the forecast and budget for the slack season. Then to my desk and the mail of 1st and 2nd posts whilst snatching a snack of water and sandwiches.

After to return phone calls of a venture capitalist who seeks a meeting on capital for the micro industry and Tony Keston of the D of I to exchange interesting views on the NEDO Tariff’s working party report and computerisation of the DHSS’s benefit office. Concerted effort is needed to ensure that the mammoth application for 2600 microcomputers is landed by British microcomputer companies. I press for a publicity initiative on the Doctors micro scheme which by my judgement has been a great success. Also lobby for consideration of BMDS’s claims on investment in any forthcoming Dentists scheme.

News today of the admission by the USSR of actually shooting down the South Korean airliner. Also the US release tape recordings of the intercepted voice communications between the Soviet pilots and their control. The International Pilots Association has banned members flying services in and out of Moscow for 60 days. In the Lebanon, the fighting by artillery shells with the US positions on the receiving end. At the TUC, the unions vote by 2 to 1 to maintain a dialogue with the government on union reform.