26 November 2025 tbs.pm/84185

From the TVTimes for w/c 3 April 1965

RARELY has a Budget been awaited with such keen interest — and indeed apprehension — both at home and abroad as that on Tuesday.

Independent Television has, therefore, made extensive plans to bring you a second-by-second report and expert interpretation as the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. James Callaghan, delivers his speech in the House of Commons.

Emphasis is being laid on not only bringing you the news within seconds of the Chancellor announcing it, but on making all the Budget proposals crystal clear.

An important addition to the coverage given in previous years will be an international hook-up with foreign capitals so that vital foreign reaction can be assessed almost immediately.

In the studio will be a strong team, headed by Robert Kee, giving the news as it happens. With him will be two financial and economic experts — William Rees-Mogg, Deputy Editor of The Sunday Times, and Robert Heller, Business Editor of The Observer.

To debate the effect of any changes on the Trades Unions and management, will be George Woodcock, General Secretary of the T.U.C., and a leading industrialist.

The scene in the House of Commons will be described and interpreted by John Whale, ITN’s chief political correspondent, and Barry Westwood.

“Clarity as well as speed will be our keynote,” explained Geoffrey Cox, ITN’s editor. “We aim at making what may well be complicated changes simple and easily understood.”

The special Budget programme will begin at 3.15 p.m. and continue through the afternoon.

Immediately after the Chancellor sits down, ITV will be conducting special interviews with Mr. Edward Heath, Tory Shadow Chancellor, Liberal leader Mr. Jo Grimond, and a Government spokesman.

At 9.30 p.m. the Chancellor will speak to viewers for 15 minutes on his Budget decisions. The following night Mr. Heath will express the Opposition views.

Courtesy of British Movietone

A tonic budget?

TV Times writer Dermod Hill is only inches from the Budget secrets as he talks to the Chancellor

A TANTALISING 24-in. gap separated me from advance knowledge of the Budget that the Chancellor of the Exchequer will present on Tuesday.

Just 2ft. away, firmly held by the Chancellor, Mr. James Callaghan, were the yellow folders marked ‘Action’.

He spoke slowly, eyes sparkling: “These contain all the relevant papers. And you understand when I say you cannot look inside them.”

We talked in the vast, hushed Treasury room overlooking Whitehall.

Next door was the Chancellor’s own office. “I hardly use it these days,” he went on, “so many people to see.

“Quite often I get no time for a lunch break. Then I send out for sandwiches. I’m here at supper-time as well — a glass of milk and a tomato.

“The pressure won’t slacken off after the Budget, either. Then I’ve got the Finance Bill to get through.

“On the night before the Budget my wife, Audrey, and I will see the Queen at Windsor. Then I will explain to Her Majesty what my proposals are.

“I can tell you this. My Budget speech will be a long one. I intend to keep a few bottles of tonic water handy to keep my throat from seizing up. I don’t want to sound like a commercial for it but I’m quite partial to tonic water.

“And the night of the speech I reckon to get my first decent night’s sleep for months.”

The Queen will be the only person in the land with pre-knowledge of the Budget — outside of the Cabinet.

“I trust my wife implicitly,” said the Chancellor, “but she doesn’t get the slightest hint. That’s how secret it has to be — even if she does handle the finances at home.”