§ 11. Mr. Oramasked the Minister of Power if he will issue general directions, in the national interest, to the boards of each of the nationalised fuel and power industries to engage upon a twelve-months' public relations campaign to convey to the public the successes of their undertakings.
§ Mr. WoodNo, Sir. Campaigns of this kind are within a board's responsibility and are a normal part of its effort.
§ Mr. OramIn view of the gross misrepresentation that took place in 1955 and 1959 about the performances of nationalised industries, does not the Minister regard it as part of his duty, as the Minister responsible for three successful nationalised industries, to make sure that during this year in particular the truth about nationalised industries is known to the British public?
§ Mr. WoodI think the hon. Gentleman will agree that I have always been ready to give praise where praise is due. I do not believe that any general direction is necessary, because I think that the campaigns which the industries at present adopt are perfectly adequate for making known their achievements and also for making known the obligations 1632 and the challenges which are still ahead of them.
Mr. LeeWould the Minister not agree that we are now in a period when we are being told that a very great sum of money is to be spent for no other purpose than to denigrate the nationalised industries and in these circumstances is it not in the national interest that the nationalised industries should show the great success that they have achieved and be able to point to the shortcomings of many private industries?
§ Mr. WoodOur objective will be to resist any further nationalisation. [Hon. Members: "Why?"] Our objective will also be to show how successful we have been able to make the industries already nationalised.