§ 45. Air-Commodore Harveyasked the Prime Minister if, in view of the request of the Government to industry for the stabilisation of prices, he will give an assurance that no further increases will take place in the price of coal, gas, electricity and railway freight and passenger charges.
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Attlee)The Government White Paper on Personal Incomes, Costs and Prices has been 2279 brought specially to the attention of the boards of socialised industries and the hon. and gallant Member can rest assured that they and the Ministers concerned will act in accordance with the principles of that Paper.
§ Air-Commodore HarveyThe Prime Minister has not answered my Question. How can he possibly expect industries to do what he wants them to do if he does not set them a lead by means of the Government nationalised industries?
§ The Prime MinisterAs I have pointed out, this is a matter for the socialised industries and the Ministries concerned. I have not indicated that they have to take any different step.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydCould the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that if any of those industries wished to decrease their prices they would be allowed to do so?
§ The Prime MinisterI should have thought so. I do not know who is going to stand in their way.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman to consult with those of his colleagues who have just issued an order prohibiting the gas and electricity undertakings from reducing their prices?
§ The Prime MinisterI am quite sure the hon. Member, who has had some experience of Ministerial office, will realise the reason why that was done.