HC Deb 08 February 1956 vol 548 cc1659-60
31. Mr. Nabarro

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he is aware of the decision of the South of Scotland Electricity Board in regard to the pegging of prices for electricity for a future period, thus following the lead of the cement industry; and, in view of this example set by a nationalised industry, whether he will now issue a general direction to those nationalised industries under his control to peg their prices until the end of 1956.

36. Sir F. Medlicott

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if, in view of the precedent now set by certain privately-owned companies and by one of the nationalised concerns in Scotland in stabilising prices to consumers for the present year, he will issue a general direction to the British Transport Commission and all other nationalised concerns coming under his jurisdiction to ensure a similar standstill of prices and charges within their respective spheres of operation.

Mr. Watkinson

I strongly commend the example of those industries which are stabilising their prices but I am not prepared to issue a direction to the British Transport Commission or the air corporations on this matter of purely commercial policy.

Mr. Nabarro

While my right hon. Friend may not wish to issue a direction, would it not be appropriate in present circumstances if he had a few friendly conversations with the people concerned? What is the value of the Prime Minister appealing for price stability if all his efforts and ours are to be sabotaged by the nationalised industries?

Mr. Watkinson

I am always having friendly conversations with the chairmen of the nationalised industries for which I am responsible, and I have already said in my Answer that I commend the example of those private industries which are stabilising their prices, but they are making a profit whereas the British Transport Commission, I regret to say, is not.

Mr. J. Harrison

When commending this example to the Transport Commission, will the Minister remember that cement prices are three times what they were pre-war but that railway rates are about only twice what they were at the end of the war?