Cream together the margarine and sugar.
Sift together the flour and baking powder.
Beat the whisked egg into a creamed mixture with a little of the flour and baking powder
Continue beating for about a minute
Add the rest of the flour and baking powder.
Chop the dates and flour lightly.
Pour the boiling water over the dates
Mix in the bicarbonate of soda (baking soda in US)
add the date mixture to the batter
mix well.
Place in a buttered tin (or one lined with baking parchment)
Bake for 40 minutes at 350°F (175°C or Gas Mark 4).
When the pudding is cooked:
Heat the brown sugar, butter and cream
Simmer gently for 3 minutes.
Pour over the pudding
Place under a grill until it starts to bubble.