Day of presentations firstly to the Local Authorities technical agency and then a dinner and my speech to the COMPETA trade association each side of computer press interviews on a cold and snowy day as the Chancellor presents a lack-lustre budget with nothing for industry or infrastructure spending
Awake to my morning tea and up quickly in view of my plans for the day. A quick breakfast, wash and dress ready to pack my cases and set off, leaving Diana to look after the birds. By car into London and to the Kensington Town Hall to the seminar arranged by LAMSAC, the local authority technical agency. I sit in on the IBM presentation and then withdraw to welcome Chris Shelton and prepare our own on behalf of the BMMG. I open our session, outlining the strategic reasons for our interest in LAN standards and advocating the open standards alternative to IBM. Chris then takes over and presents the BMMG feasibility study findings. We are well received by up to 100 local authority computer communications and data processing executives and carry forward the case for OSI. Away both and me to Marble Arch car park and then the hotel. Some fuss there as all of London’s hotels are fully booked and fellow guests trying to check in were panicking over the rooms not being ready. Eventually, after a coffee-shop snack, to my room and to check my telephone message machine and make phone calls to Isherwood’s, Owles Hall and Computer Weekly before settling down with the television to listen to, and watch, the budget speech. After a few quick calls with Computer Weekly, a quick shower and shave, and then off by taxi to the Institute of Directors and the COMPETA dinner.
A fine event, in the splendour of The Ballroom and with good food – though the plates were rather cold. We drank cocktails, sat down for dinner and then I was called upon to give the after dinner speech. There were about 30/40 guests, mainly from COMPETA, but also one or two from the CRA and the BMMG. There were also a good half dozen computer journalists. I was the key note speaker and my theme was Government Policy and the Computer Industry and the guests seemed to enjoy and appreciate the effort that I had made. Off to my hotel at the end of an exhausting day and to bed. The budget was the normal mixture of give and take, with the continued emphasis on control of inflation and deflation. No hope for infrastructure spending or the reduction of unemployment. A few minor measures to help hi-tech education and capital allowances, but no announced end to the wretched moratorium. A very cold day today, with some snow showers and a bitter breeze.