§ Q9. Mr. Hamlingasked the Prime Minister what changes he proposes to make in interdepartmental arrangements to ensure that future development plans in the power industries are not hampered by the failure of contractors to supply essential machinery and spare parts when they are needed.
§ The Prime MinisterThe Government are concerned to do all they can to identify bottlenecks and speed production, but the primary responsibility for these matters rests with the contractors and subcontractors concerned.
§ Mr. HamlingCould my right hon. Friend explain why nationalisation should be blamed for the failures of private contractors?
§ The Prime MinisterThis is a question of who writes the articles and makes the speeches. Some people made up their minds long ago, even before nationalisation. In this particular case, if my hon. Friend is thinking, for example, about supplies of spares and the quality of spares for a gas works in the Midlands, my right hon. Friend has announced that an inquiry is to take place. We had better await the result of that inquiry.