18 MARCH 1966, Page 9

Ipse Dixit

'I think we've been a very pragmatic govern- ment. We shall remain a pragmatic government.' —H. Wilson, Election Forum, BBC TV, March 10.

Pragmatic: 1. Relating to the affairs of a state or community. 2. Busy, active; esp. officiously busy in other people's affairs; interfering, med- dling. 3. Opinionated, dictatorial, dogmatic.— Shorter Oxford English Dictionary.

NIGEL LAWSON