Subjects include: cold weather payments to the elderly; spending on the National Health Service; the Westland affair [share dealing irregularities involving Westland Helicopter Company]; Lord Young’s appointment as Conservative Party Chairman; sanctions against South Africa; funding of scientific research; a proposed constitutional conference on South Africa; hopes for the release of Terry Waite from the Lebanon.

Other correspondents include Mark Addison and Charles Powell, Private Secretaries to Thatcher and Nigel Wicks, Principal Private Secretary.