Central Lobby [Programme 074]

Description

Programme presented by Jon Lander. It is traditional for prime ministers who studied at Oxford to receive honorary degrees. However plans to bestow the honour on Margaret Thatcher have been met be a petition against the idea signed by many Oxford dons who object over government education cuts. We see views of Oxford University including the Sheldonian Theatre where the award will take place and a brief library shot of Margaret Thatcher. Rob Whitehouse interviews Jim Reed, a tutor in modern languages at St John's College; Lord Blake, the Provost of Queen's College; and Dennis Noble, professor of physiology. We also see stills of various prime ministers, interior views of a laboratory at the university and vox pops with students.

Next month the SDP will be four years old. In the studio Reg Harcourt interviews the SDP leader David Owen about that anniversary and a forthcoming speech on the black community. The next film item is in a series in which MPs report on issues of their choosing. This week the Conservative MP for South Staffordshire, Patrick Cormack looks at heritage funding. Cormack reports to camera at Lichfield Cathedral and we see exterior views and some of the treasures of the building including a Chantrey sculpture, a mediaeval fresco and the Lichfield Gospel which all require funding to preserve for future generations. Next at Weston Park near Shifnal in Shropshire Cormack reports on the burden of inheritance tax which has forced the break up of many country estates. We see views of Weston Park and there is an interview with the Earl of Bradford who lives there.

Credits

Political Editor: Reg Harcourt
Production Editor: Bruce Grocott
Film Editors: Paul Brown; Nick Robbins; Francis Robertson
Graphic Designer: Hazel Alemany
Production Team: Rob Whitehouse; Mark Astaire; Margaret Mitchell
Directors: Richie Stewart; John Pullen
Editor: Mike Warman

Notes

Production number 5201/85.