• The other day I happened to alight at the
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Motor Industry Research Association's annual lunch; guest speaker, the Right Honourable Cecil Parkinson MP — he of the smooth, urbane television manner and an answer for everything (well, almost everything).
As things were hotting up in Parliament, Cecil was allowed to jump the queue of speakers in order to get back to the House.
No, he wouldn't bore us by reading out his preprepared speech: he'd just tell us a few things about the Government's transport programme, "as I see it".
As he sees it, the Government "has embarked on a very substantial programme". Unfortunately getting a programme is one thing, financing it is another and he was quick to add that while things "will gain momentum, I can't anficipate the outcome of my discussions with the Treasury". Perhaps the Hawk can help? I know a couple of charming chaps (solid family background and all that), very good at getting money from reluctant hands, who could certainly prove handy in any discussions. Unfortunately, they're not due to be released from the Scrubs for at least 18 months (something to do with demanding money with menances). Just a thought.