HC Deb 24 July 1968 vol 769 cc566-7
26 and 27. Mr. Ian Lloyd

asked the Minister of Transport (1) what is the latest estimate of the cost of nationalising the docks;

(2) if it is still his policy to proceed with legislation to nationalise the docks.

54. Mr. Ridley

asked the Minister of Transport if he will make a statement about the Government's intentions with regard to the nationalisation of the ports.

Mr. Marsh

As I stated on 19th June, the Government's decision to extend public ownership in the ports stands. Detailed proposals, which will take account of the consultations we have had and include proposals as to compensation, will be announced as soon as possible.—[Vol. 766, c. 1100.]

Mr. Lloyd

Is this yet another version of the menu without prices? Is it not time that the country was given a much clearer indication of what this will cost; and, if so, how can the Government possibly justify expenditure on this scale at this late stage in the decline of their reputation?

Mr. Marsh

As the hon. Gentleman is not aware of what the scale of the expenditure is, I do not know why he is getting so heated about it at this stage. The organisation of the port industry is a very complicated one and the problems are very great. That is one of the reasons why it is important to take the ports into public ownership and why it is taking a long time to work out the best way.

Mr. McNamara

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that as already so much expenditure in our ports is public expenditure a great deal of the compensation that is to be given is to be given only to those who actually use the men in discharging the cargo? As dockers are not yet slaves, the amount of compensation is not likely to be all that great.

Mr. Marsh

My hon. Friend is right to draw a distinction between public ownership in this field and public ownership in, for example, the steel industry. Much of the investment is already public investment.

Mr. Peter Walker

Is the Minister aware that the National Ports Council, the Confederation of British Industry, and virtually every user organisation connected with the ports are unanimously opposed to the nationalisation of the ports? Why, therefore, does he give this such a priority?

Mr. Marsh

Everybody accepts a very heavy degree of public ownership in the ports industry. This has been so for many years. The hon. Gentleman is being unusually doctrinaire on this issue.