7 SEPTEMBER 1985, Page 20

Sorry to say

I COLLECT phrases which mean their opposite, such as 'it gives me no pleasure to say this', or 'it hurts me more than it hurts you', and this week spotted a City favourite. Poor old Bluemel the bicycle- maker asked for dealings in its shares to be suspended 'pending clarification of the company's financial position'. Alas, this normally means that the financial position is all too clear.