47. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Prime Minister whether he will find time for a discussion of the Motion standing in the name of the hon. Member for Evesham relating to London Passenger Transport Board, Government Gurantee?
§ [That this House views with grave concern the proposal for a Government guarantee on the C or equity stock of the London Passenger Transport Board, since this involves the support, at the taxpayer's expense, of an organisation which has completely failed to justify the principles of rationalisation and the elimination of normal competition, and also because it may involve a further addition to the number of Government directors on the boards of public companies in Great Britain; and is of the opinion that a clear statement should be made at the earliest opportunity of the precise duties and functions of such directors; and that searching inquiry should be made into the failure of this and other rationalisation schemes before any more are brought forward for Parliamentary approval.]
585§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir. I regret that I am unable to afford special facilities for the discussion of this Motion.
Mr. De la BèreIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the London Passenger Transport Board is an illustration of the unsatisfactory working of rationalisation, and that rationalisation has a demoralising and disturbing effect wherever it is introduced?