23 JULY 1965, Page 7

Spectator's Notebook

riloudirr I would write something nice about

the Prime Minister this week. I have not perhaps always been as generous as I might have from to him, and I have had a letter (one letter) 'rin a reader saying that I do not appreciate his sterling qualities. True.

So I took the first chance of listening to H. / W/ilson reporting on the visit of H. Davies to p anoi. I must have an evil-eye effect on the rime Minister. As soon as he started answering questions we had the joke about the Spectator (readers will be pleased or surprised to know that vf,..,e are part of the City conspiracy against the „.."overnment) and almost at once Archie Rice- wilson was away :

`What I do find in the city and industry is that there is a very healthy disregard of the attempts of hon gentlemen opposite to involve the city and industry in anti-patriotic moves.'" and (H. Wilson. July 15, 1965 col 773). I would rather have rebuffs than the attitude of right hon gentlemen opposite, who would be Prepared to let this war go on for another two Years without making any effort.'

(H. Wilson, July 15, 1965 col 786). anti-patriotic As a left and right the twin charges of being

and pro-war are well up to the prime Minister's present standards. And my kind- ness to him takes the form of not replying.