Panorama — Season 40

Aired 13 January 1992

King's Cross, Zeebrugge, Piper Alpha - more than a thousand people died in the big disasters of the late 80s. Yet after most disasters and deaths at work, company managements escape unpunished.

Aired 20 January 1992

The Prime Minister praised the NHS for the treatment his parents received when they were ill in their old age. But many health authorities are now cutting back or even abandoning long-stay beds, moving the elderly to private nursing homes.

Aired 27 January 1992

The collapse of Soviet Union has left thousands of nuclear warheads, vast amounts of plutonium and entire cities full of scientists who know how to make nuclear weapons: what happens to them now?

Aired 3 February 1992

As the General Election approaches, opinion polls suggest an increasing likelihood of the result being a hung Parliament. If so, the balance of power may be held by Paddy Ashdown , the leader of the Liberal Democrats.

Aired 10 February 1992

Next week George Bush sets out on the long electoral road to a 2nd term in the White House. But America is ill disposed to reward the President for his foreign policy successes. The campaign spotlight has focused on the ailing US economy.

Aired 17 February 1992

As the opinion polls indicate that-half the Scottish electorate now favours independence, David Dimbleby chairs a debate from Edinburgh on the future of Scotland's government.

Aired 24 February 1992

Three men are serving life sentences for gruesome murder of a Cardiff prostitute. Tom Mangold investigates some of methods used by police in a case led to longest murder trial in British history.

Aired 2 March 1992

Since the miners' strike 7 yrs ago, productivity in Britain's mines has soared and efficiency improved beyond expectations. But there have been pit closures and redundancies as the coal industry has felt the chill blast of market forces.

Aired 9 March 1992

Now that it is officially admitted that Britain's current economic recession is the longest since the Second World War, a bitter debate has broken out about its origins.

Aired 16 March 1992

David Dimbleby chairs a debate on one of the issues crucial to the outcome of the imminent General Election.

Aired 23 March 1992

David Dimbleby face-to-face with party leaders. Tonight: Paddy Ashdown, Leader of Liberal Democrats.

Aired 30 March 1992

David Dimbleby face-to-face in live interviews with party leaders. Tonight: Neil Kinnock, Leader of Labour Party.

Aired 6 April 1992

The Prime Minister and Leader of the Conservative Party, John Major, is interviewed live by David Dimbleby. Can the Conservatives win the election despite the longest economic recession since the war?

Aired 13 April 1992

What are the implications of the election result for the nation and for its political parties? David Dimbleby and the Panorama team assess last Thursday's poll.

Aired 27 April 1992

Summer has not yet arrived but already large areas of southern Britain are subject to hosepipe bans and other restrictions on use of water.

Aired 11 May 1992

Are golden days over for British home owners? Reporter John Plender looks at whether in future owning a house will still be a sure way of doubling your money or whether.

Aired 18 May 1992

The Citizen's Charter, which John Major launched as Tories' "big idea" for 90s, is rapidly breeding mini-charters setting new standards for most public services.

Aired 1 June 1992

At Earth Summit in Rio this week, tax payers in rich countries like Britain will be asked to pay billions of pounds to save world from environmental disaster.

Aired 8 June 1992

Aired 15 June 1992

Are police now calling a truce in war on drugs? Fewer users are being prosecuted, but does this mean there is a move towards a decriminalisation of drugs use?.

Aired 22 June 1992

As Israel prepares to go to the polls, the Middle East peace process hangs in the balance. Jane Corbin reports on how the Israeli voters will affect the prospect for peace.

Aired 29 June 1992

In wake of Maxwell scandal, there are fears that pension funds are vulnerable to theft and sharp practice by people who run them.

Aired 6 July 1992

In a few days' time, Britain's last governor will arrive in Hong Kong - in preparation for handing the colony over to China. Can Chris Patten save the way of life of its people, or will it fall prey to the regime in Peking?

Aired 13 July 1992

Almost a year after abortive coup against Gorbachev, ghost of communism still haunts former Soviet Union.

Aired 20 July 1992

New fears about an Aids epidemic in the heterosexual community have been raised by recent highly publicised cases. Tom Mangold looks at new evidence on how Aids spreads among heterosexuals, and whether current health policies are effective

Aired 27 July 1992

Is free dental care in danger of becoming a thing of past? As dentists threaten to withdraw from NHS over Government's attempts to regulate their fees, Steve Bradshaw reports on widening gap between private and NHS dentistry.

Aired 3 August 1992

Supporters of death penalty in America used to claim it was a deterrent to violent crime.

Aired 10 August 1992

Britain is poised to become a major player in an international trade in deadly plutonium.

Aired 17 August 1992

Forced to remain in harbour against their will and obliged to throw almost half their catch back into sea, British fishermen are angrier than at any time since "cod war" of early 1970s.

Aired 24 August 1992

Despite the recession, the pay of Britain's company directors is rising faster than ever. How do they justify double-figure increases? Michael Crick finds out who sets the boss's pay and whether there is a better way.

Aired 7 September 1992

Horse racing in Britain is in crisis. Is it because it's not run in a business-like way or because bookies aren't paying their fair share?

Aired 21 September 1992

New payments to farmers to produce less food will result in an area of farmland bigger than Devon being released. Will this lead to widespread dereliction? Should the land be used for housing and industry or returned to nature?

Aired 28 September 1992

Aired 5 October 1992

On the eve of the Conservative Party conference, another in-depth investigation and analysis of current events with the Panorama team.

Aired 12 October 1992

Recent events have shaken the foundations of the EC. As the 12 gather for a summit in Britain this week, Martha Kearney looks at the view from France and Germany and asks whether these nations will create a premier league in Europe.

Aired 19 October 1992

This year, hundreds of thousands of people will be smuggled into the west from the former communist states of eastern Europe. Nisha Pillai reports on this crime which is fast becoming a European growth industry.

Aired 26 October 1992

Bill Clinton has suffered the most sustained attacks on a candidate's character in recent American history, over sex, drugs and the draft. Yet he goes into next week's election with the best prospects a Democrat has had in 16 years.

Aired 2 November 1992

The future of some popular BBC tv shows, from Eldorado to the Generation Game, is under scrutiny. Why should viewers pay a licence for the kind of programmes that may be widely available on rival channels in the 90s?

Aired 9 November 1992

Animal sacrifice, child sexual abuse, cannibalism and murder: crimes committed, claim some, in the name of Satan. According to one estimate, satanic ritual abuse is rife in every town in Britain, but is this myth or reality?

Aired 16 November 1992

Crack cocaine is most dangerous illegal drugs ever to reach Britain. The intense pleasure it gives soon leads to addiction, and a deadly spiral of depression and destructiveness.

Aired 23 November 1992

Aired 30 November 1992

Aired 7 December 1992

Under Mrs Thatcher, ministers said they meant to privatise British Rail, but left it in public ownership. Now John Major's government intends to show how radical it is, by de-nationalising the industry.

Aired 14 December 1992