§ 27. Mr. Geoffrey Cooperasked the Prime Minister if he will lay down as Government policy that, in all schemes of nationalisation where industries or services are taken over and run in the public interest, revenue shall not be obtained from activities in any way harmful to the public interest.
§ The Prime MinisterI am not clear exactly what my hon. Friend has in mind, but it is certainly the view of the Government that the socialised industries should refrain from activities which are harmful to the public interest.
§ Mr. CooperWill my right hon. Friend be prepared to recommend to his colleagues responsible for nationalisation 15 to adopt, as part of Government policy, the relinquishing of the revenue obtained from drink advertisements in accordance with the policy pursued in relation to the Post Office? Will he recommend this policy in regard to the transport systems, particularly railway hotels and station restaurants?
§ The Prime MinisterI was not aware that the Post Office ran hotels.
§ Mr. Godfrey NicholsonWill the Chancellor of the Exchequer forgo any revenue from drink?
§ Mr. James HudsonWill my right hon. Friend take into account that when the report of the Licensing Commission was given to this House there was a recommendation in the minority report as to how loss of revenue might be avoided in dealing with drink? Will he take into account that minority report, as it was signed by a distinguished member of the Labour Party?