25 DECEMBER 1964, Page 11

The Party Line

Lastly, my cold eye picks out a remarkable Christmas ukase issued by the Central Electricity Generating Board. Office parties, says the Board, must not get out of hand. Any tete-a-tete in the corridor should be ruthlessly broken up before affectionate behaviour develops. Liquor should not be poured on empty stomachs. Dancing and games should be encouraged to prevent excessive drinking and misbehaviour. . . . And, pre- sumably, the lion should lie down with the lamb. For this assumption that it's possible to legislate Saturnalia must be one of the most astounding pieces of bureaucratic priggishness of all time

QUOODLE