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 before
adding the rest of the flour/baking powder.
Chop the dates and flour lightly.
Pour the boiling water over the dates
and 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 350F (175C 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 and place under a grill, until it starts to bubble.