P.M.’s plate of plaice

Press, 28 May 1983, Page 8

P.M.’s plate of plaice

NZPA London The British Prime Minister, Mrs Margaret Thatcher, tucked into lunch at a fish and chip shop yesterday, commented on the value for money and then left without paying. She and her husband Denis called in at Harry Ramsden’s restaurant in Leeds, one of the most famous fish and chips shop in the world.

They took their places at a table covered by a blue-and-white checked tablecloth, and a bottle of tomato ketchup was placed in front of her.

“Don’t they offer value of money . . .?” Mrs Thatcher said. “I’ve just looked at the price list, and it’s very good.”

She ordered small plaice and chips at £2.45 ($5.75) and Mr Thatcher asked for haddock and chips, tea, bread and butter at £2.25 ($5.28). The couple tucked into their meal, while all about them cameramen, reporters and television crews jostled with each other for a better view.

Then they left without paying, Mrs Thatcher pausing briefly in the queue to serve up fish and chips to two young children. A restaurant spokesman said later: “I don’t think there was any agreement to let her eat on the house. I expect the bill for her entire party will be paid later.” “Everything will be conducted correctly if Mrs Thatcher has anything to do with it,” said a Conservative spokesman. “She is certainly not the sort of person who would want to be thought of as getting something for nothing.”