§ 52. Mr. Ernest Daviesasked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his recent further talks with chairmen of the nationalised industries in regard to stabilisation of charges.
§ The Prime MinisterA statement was made at the conclusion of this meeting, and I have nothing to add to it.
§ Mr. DaviesHaving regard to the statement made by the Chairman of the Transport Commission yesterday, indicating that the Commission can only enter into a qualified stabilisation of prices, in view of its large deficit, will not the Prime Minister include in his statement some statement regarding the future finances of the Transport Commission? Does he realise that, because of the unwarranted interference of the Government with the Transport Commission, it is unable to meet its statutory obligation and is therefore limited in the extent to which it can maintain present fares and charges?
§ The Prime MinisterThe hon. Gentleman asked me what happened at the meeting. I referred him to the statement made at the close of it, which I think gives all that has to be said about it.
§ Mr. H. MorrisonThe Prime Minister has told us about the decisions so far of the nationalised industries, and statements have been made; within proper limitations, we welcome them; but can he not 697 really give us some information as to what private industry is doing with regard to the limitation of prices? Is he not aware that so long as prices continue to go up, he is bound to have trouble about wages?
§ The Prime MinisterThe right hon. Gentleman the Member for Lewisham, South (Mr. H. Morrison) knows that certain steps were taken by private industry at an earlier stage. I should like, if I may, to refer the House to the last words of the statement which we made, which was carefully drafted at our meeting, which says that
Ministers welcomed these further important decisions,that is to say, the decisions to which the right hon. Gentleman referred,and stated that they intended to continue to maintain contact with the T.U.C. and with the employers' representatives in the private sector of industry.I think I must ask the right hon. Gentleman to wait.
§ Captain WaterhouseIs it not a fact that certain sections of industry connected with the building trade did give a guarantee not to raise prices for six months, that they kept it, and have just had to forgo that intention now, largely because the coal industry has put up its prices?
§ The Prime MinisterThey also made a further statement as to the next 12 months, which I think, on the whole, the House would regard as reasonable and fair.
§ Mr. GaitskellIs the Prime Minister aware that the statements as to what the Government's intentions are in the private sector are quite unsatisfactory, and that it will really create for the nationalised industries a most impossible position if, after they have pledged themselves not to raise prices, prices continue to go up in the private sector and therefore put up costs in the nationalised industries? Will he please reconsider the matter?
§ The Prime MinisterIt is not a question of my reconsidering the matter. The discussions which we have had are continuing, and I have shown quite clearly with whom they are continuing. The right hon. Gentleman's question is, which comes before which? The private sector could complain hitherto that its raw 698 material prices were uncertain and it had a factor to deal with there. I am not saying which was right or wrong; but our objective is to get stability over the whole field.
§ Mr. GaitskellThe nationalised industries have now given a series of pledges on this matter. I must press the right hon. Gentleman to say what further steps and proposals he is going to take so far as private industry is concerned.
§ The Prime MinisterIt is quite true that nationalised industries have now made certain proposals, which we cordially welcomed and do welcome. It is equally clear that other discussions are to proceed. Beyond that, I am not prepared to go.
§ 53. Mr. Lewisasked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the undertaking given by the North Thames Gas Board to the effect that this Board intend to hold the price of gas at its present level for at least two-and-a-half years, subject to certain provisos; and whether he will give an assurance that instructions will be issued to all Government Departments to ensure that they take no action in the next two-and-a-half years to increase prices and services of their respective Departments and thus assist in curbing the inflationary spiral.
§ The Prime MinisterMy right hon. Friends and I have already emphasised that the national interest lies in achieving steadiness in costs and prices. We welcome all action which helps towards this, and my colleagues will work together to this end.
§ Mr. LewisWe have heard a lot of platitudes this afternoon. In view of the fact that the nationalised industries have taken a positive step—and it is alleged that some private businesses have—will the Prime Minister now give a definite assurance that he will issue an instruction that the Departments which come under his control and the control of his Ministers will not take any action to increase the cost of living and thus push up wages, as is proposed by the rent increases and other proposals?
§ The Prime MinisterOur purpose is, of course, exactly the same; and I must remind the hon. Gentleman that when we began our discussions with various sections of industry, private and public, we were a good deal sneered at for the 699 attempt. Now, when I think we have made some progress—[Interruption.] I hope we shall make more progress, and the Government will play their part.
§ The Prime MinisterIf the hon. Gentleman will let me answer his question, I am bound to call attention to the fact that the particular board which he draws attention to does also say,
Assuming … we do not have any major increases in the cost of labour or raw materials …That, in itself, is a pretty wide reservation.