A day at Westminster restoring my relationships with PITCOM members after recent publicity and keeping tabs in England’s fightback in the Ashes Test
A good night’s sleep with Diana much more relaxed over the family christening. Awake to my morning tea and, with the air warm and humid, I opened the bedroom doors onto the balcony and sat on my folding veranda chair to read the morning paper. Down to breakfast of cereal and fruit juice and then washed and dressed to make a good start. To my new office and some time sorting out the boxes and my action folder to reflect the matters received in the last few days. I let out the ducks, fed the doves and take the portable TV across to the office, after coffee, to watch while I work. A morning reconciling my financial affairs as I watched the test match. England had unwisely put in two night watchmen and paid for it in this morning’s play. Diana was out late and so a late lunch and then a bit more time paying some bills and catching up on paperwork. By 3.00pm finished, dressed in my best suit and set off by car for London. I stopped at St Neots en route and completed transactions at Barclays and Abbey National after posting my letters first. A long drive to Westminster, but the traffic not too bad, so arrived in good time. More news of the test match on the radio until I arrived. A hot day and I was glad of my Jaguar’s air conditioning. Parked at a meter and then, collecting an ice cream (an extortionate 45p worth!) and eating it, entered the House of Commons and passed security checks to enter Committee Room 5. A council meeting of PITCOM and the normal set business.
I talked a little to no avail when we cancelled a legal seminar through lack of interest. I felt that the £150 fee too high, the July season ill-timed and the notice too short; arguing that the event should be postponed to the Autumn and not cancelled – but to no avail. Then the members meeting and, despite some changes of speaker, several good contributions from members on the floor to give the Junior Minister something to respond to. The subject was Education in IT and, to his credit, Butcher made a good response. After, a dinner event at the Royal Horseguards Hotel. I met Andrew Trew of the Legal Technology Group and, to my horror, he was still expecting me to speak in a seminar next Tuesday, despite no prior confirmation and my telephone call recently to cancel my appearance. I also spoke to David Fairbairn about his relinquishment of the NCC Directorship and the industrial situation. To the dinner and an uneasy chat with Chairman, Ian Lloyd and Michael Marshall. Few mentioned my leadership of a critical article on PITCOM, but many defended the present methods and success in attracting MPs to attend meetings. Then to sit down and an attractive, intelligent and articulate lady next to me, as a new helper at the PITCOM secretariat, launched in to me on the subject. By the dinner’s end she was apologising at her outspokenness (which was of no matter to me) and recognising more my views and status in the matter. Pleasant conversation also with British Telecom and British Aerospace representatives; in both cases for the first time. Also to swap jokes and anecdotes with Frank Richardson, the Secretary, and no lasting hurt to relationships over my public comments. To my car and a fast drive home, arriving at 11.00pm on a warm evening. A walk around to cool down and then in to bed. Only news I heard tonight was of the test score, where Botham had taken two wickets to leave the Aussies 53 for 3 and so hope lives on.