A week of foul-tempered debate in Europe ended this afternoon as finance ministers agreed new quota rates for trade with the United States. In Brussels is our economics correspondent, Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan. Peter, what is the new rate?
Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahanIt's 30 percent, Chris. Agreement was a long time coming, but in the end the decision was unanimous.
What was the Germans' reaction? Because they've been holding out for 40 percent, haven't they?
Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan
That's right. When I spoke to finance minister Reinhardt earlier today, he said he didn't like the deal, but he had to go along with it.
Really? You spoke to him yourself, you managed to pin him down? He's a pretty tricky man, isn't he?
Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan
That's right.
Where did you get hold of him?
Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan
He was in the hotel.
And you conducted a conversation with him about the quota rates?
Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan
That's right - he said he didn't like it, but he had to go along with it.
...What language did you conduct this conversation in, Peter?
Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan
...German.
You spoke to him about the technicalities of the deal in German?
Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan
Yes.
So what's the German for "30 percent"?
Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan
...Trenter percenter.
Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan
Yes.
And what about that quote you attributed to him, "I don't like it but I'll have to go along with it"?
Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan
That's what he said.
Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan
"I don't like it, but I'll have to go along with it."
In German, how did he say it?
Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan
Ich... nichten lichten...
Presumably you mean "Rufen Sie ein Taxi bitte sonst verpass' ich meinen Flug"?
Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan
Yes!
No you don't, Peter, because that means "Get me a taxi, I'm late for my plane!" Now I'm going to ask you a question: did you speak to the German finance minister about the new deal this afternoon?
Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan
[defeated] No.
And what was his reaction?
Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan
I don't know.
It's just been anno - yeah, thanks... it's just been announced there's to be an special inquiry into the Government's handling of the Frome shipping deal, which flew to pieces last month amid allegations of gross ministerial misconduct. Our economics correspondent Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan is with the Minister for Ships, Michael Crane. He's just prised him out of an emergency meeting.
Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan
I'm with the Minister for Ships, Michael Crane MP...
[in voiceover drowning out Peter] That's right, Peter. Everything I've just said comes spewing straight back out of your stupid slab of a face...
Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan
...Mr. Crane, choppy waters for the Government?
MCMichael Crane
Not at all, Peter. This procedure was entirely proper, and I think the inquiry will prove that the Government's handling of this matter was entirely proper.
Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan
So the Government's ship back on course?
MCMichael Crane
Absolutely.
Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan
Back to you, Chris.
Peter, what the hell was that? This man's made a big-scale cock-up here, you let him get away with it! Now let me speak to him. Put your earpiece next to his head and stand still. Now, Minister, there's reason to believe that you lied to the House. How do you answer that?
MCMichael Crane
Well, that is a very serious and unfounded allegation, and I will be making a statement to the House based on the preliminary inquiry next week.
A week is a long time in politics.
Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan
Rab Butler.
Shut up, Peter. Now, Minister, did you or did you not lie to the House?
MCMichael Crane
I will be making a full statement to the House next week.
It's a simple question. Yes or no? Did you or did you not lie?
MCMichael Crane
...I, erm...
Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan
As the Minister for Ships sprawls on the pin, it's back to you, Chris!
No it isn't, Peter! He's about to answer the question! He's about to admit to lying to the House! You've let him get away again! Where's he gone?!
Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan
Over there...
Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan
He's in a cab.
Peter, you've lost the NEWS! What are you going to say?
Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan
Sorry.
Look like you mean it! Look down at the ground and say sorry!
Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan
I'm sorry!
Peter, next time you cross the road, don't bother looking!
Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan
Sorry...
The American car company General Motors have today announced a cut in their workforce at their plant in Detroit. Our economics correspondent Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan is there at the moment. Peter, what's going on?
Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan
Chris, it's a mass redundancy measure. It's the biggest lay-off in American industrial history. Thirty-five thousand jobs in one fell swoop, gone!
Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan
Yes.
Peter, there's only twenty-five thousand people at the plant.
Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan
That's right, Chris, mass redundancy on an unprecedented scale!
Well, would you mind telling me how the plant can function on minus ten-thousand workers?
Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan
[grinning] I don't know, Chris, you tell me!
I'll tell you what, Peter, you mean thirty-five hundred workers have been sacked.
Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan
...No. Thirty-five thousand, it's all here. [checks notes]
Let me see what you've got down there.
Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan
It's thirty-five hundred, you're right. I've made a mistake.
Peter, I want to s- I want to see it. I don't want to hear anything more out of your mouth, I don't believe it. Now show me your notes.
Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan
No.
Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan
It's thirty-five hundred.
Show me, I don't believe what you're saying, I just want to see the numbers. Now hold them up! [he holds them up briefly] Hold them up and keep them up! [he does so] And rotate them a hundred and eighty degrees in my favour! [as he does] Do it... Peter, what's that? [taps the monitor]
Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan
I don't have the monitor, Chris. I can't see what you're doing.
You know what I'm talking about, it's just above your right eye. [Peter points at a doodle] Yes.
Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan
A cobweb.
And how's a cobweb going to dig you out of your numerical mess?
Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan
I don't know.
Peter, you're lying in a news grave. Do you know what's written on your headstone?
Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan
"News?"
The Day Today · 78 quotes
