To London and the Houses of Parliament for representative NCC and PITCOM meetings as the place is picketed by anti-nuclear demonstrators and first to hear Michael Foot speak on Cruise Missiles but still time to press for the involvement of users and medium sized computer company involvement with Alvey in front of the Minister. All this whilst researching family history and keeping in touch with the office!
Early to rise and (after breakfast, a hair wash and shower) to Stevenage Station by car and on to London by train. By tube to New Fetter Lane for a meeting of the Microcomputer Advisory Committee of the National Computing Centre. There to discuss the Alvey initiative and Export Systems with the conclusion reached that more input should be had from users and the smaller computer manufacturers. In this way to try for successful demonstration or awareness projects. We shall see if the approach will be supported or not. Afterwards a splendid lunch of melon and cold meat buffet provided by the NCC and conversation on the twin but unconnected subjects of computer awareness of youth and health by way of mind over body. A short call to the office and then on to Companies House by tube and taxi to its location in the City Road.
A short search revealed no aggressive activity towards our names and I also managed to obtain supplies of company forms much needed for further returns. On by bus to The Houses of Parliament and Committee Room 10 and PITCOM to join the interior queue in warmth at least. So for today also to compile an action list of outstanding company admin. items which have to be completed in correct order. The House has demonstrators without with white Halloween face masks and protesting about cruise missiles and whining a sound of ghosts to appear ghoulish. Eventually and at 7.15pm after an hour-and-a-half wait, I am admitted to the strangers gallery in time to see a very eloquent speech from Mr Michael Foot now on the back benches. His speech is against the motion on cruise missiles.
I have to leave the debate at 8.00pm for the PITCOM meeting. I recognise all three speakers on the Alvey Report and catch the eye of the Chairman for the opportunity to press for user and medium-size company involvement in front of the junior minister, John Butcher. This evening, the peace movement ladies are out with candles and chants blocking the vicinity of the Houses of Parliament so that I have to take the tube to Kings Cross station and the train home to my car at Stevenage. Television news tonight features the continual procession of events in Grenada. The US Government today admit that the invasion forces bombed a mental hospital due to lack of good maps and intelligence. Though the situation is now quiet over 100 Americans have been killed or wounded.