Tom Scott enjoyed his tour to India

Press, 22 September 1980, Page 4

Tom Scott enjoyed his tour to India

fA Wellington ■ The "Listener” satirist, Tom Scott, says the first article on . his “enjoyable, illuminating, informative, and enriching” visit to India will be published next week. Mr Scott arrived home on Friday from his trip to New Delhi for the Commonwealth Asian and Pacific Heads of Government meeting. ' He said he did not speak to the Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon) at all during’ the Visit.

i. “We exchanged glares (wice — once on the way over and once in New Delhi,” he said,-

Mr Scott had to make his own way to India after Mr Muldoon turned down a re-, quest by the "Listener” for Mr Scott to accompany the Prime Minister on his trip to India and China.

“I had no problems, at all,” Mr Scott said. “Some of the journalists and Indian politicians were intrigued to know why; I was banned.’’ While Mr Muldoon and his official party flew on to China after the New Delhi conference, Mr Scott headed home by .way of Australia, .1 “When. China became impossible, Australia was put in because of its coming

General Election,” he said. “The Australian Information Service was very good in Canberra.” What about the New Zealand diplomatic mission in Australia? “I didn’t have much to do , with them,” he said. "I met one of their people socially, but I didn’t want to embarrass them.”

Does he expect to be talking to Mr, Muldoon when he arrives back in the country? Mr Scott wasn’t, sure. He is still banned from the Prime. Minister’s press conferences and “he doesn’t bend when he’s under pressure.” j. :