10 MARCH 1973, Page 7

Corridors ...

PUZZLE NATURALLY TROTTED along to the Budget debate the other day and, as usual, noticed all the inconsequential things that were going on, rather than attending to the wise and stern words of our beloved Chancellor.

HE NOTICED, in particular, that Sir Gerald Nabarro's lovely silk topper was easily outshone by Miss Janet Fookes's gorgeous green velvet hat, surrounded by a blue silk band: Miss Fookes, alas for the hirsute knight, was sitting directly behind and to the right of Sir Gerald, and therefore attracted eyes that might otherwise have been reserved. BEHIND HER AGAIN was Mrs Sally Oppenheim. Elegant as always, Mrs Oppenheim was nonetheless wearing no hat. Envy of Miss Fookes may have been the reason why she left the Chamber before Mr Barber. BUT THERE, I musn't try to create rivalries among the Tory ladies. They all did the occasion justice by attention to their clothes and grooming. In this they were exceedingly unlike the Labour lasses, drab to a woman in browns and greys — except for Mrs Renee Short, and she topped off a shockinggreen outfit with dark glasses of a shape and size normally used only to protect one from king-sized hangovers.

-EST THE IDEA GET ABOUT that Sir Gerald Nabarro, who regularly sits outside the House either all night or from the small hours, in order to be first in when the doors

open and thus be able to choose his favourite seat for Budget debates, actually spends the hotirs Wore the Chancellor rises in silent

contemplation of an empty chamber, I must

away. Tom Puzzl