31 JANUARY 1964, Page 8

Tailpiece

Scene: A famous Conservative Club. Settling down to their evening papers are a VERY IMPOR- TANT CONSERVATIVE and Member of Parliament.

MP: I've been giving the whole question a lot of thought. A lot of thought. And I think there is only one answer. RPM must go. Oh, good heavens . . . really . . . you mustn't say things like that . . . why . . . oh . . [Retires behind paper. MP looks at him with a wild surmise. The strain of ministerial office . . . understandable, of course . . . yet . .

vic: [lowering his paper and with a vast and forgiving smile]: Silly of me. You were— weren't 'you?—talking about RESALE PRICE MAINTENANCE?

QL/OODLE