 Whilst Chief Secretary Major took part in discussions over the future funding of the NHS, against the background of an NHS strike in February 1988 over pay, resulting in the 'Working for Patients' white paper and subsequent National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990.Major also insisted in discussions with no Thatcher that government assistance should be provided to support the sale of Short Brothers to Bombadier, an aerospace company and major employer in Northern Ireland which might otherwise have collapsed.In 1987-88 it became clear that Major had become a 'favourite' of Margaret Thatcher and was widely tipped for further promotion.