Nationalisation

HC Deb 08 May 1968 vol 764 cc417-9

10. Mr. Ridsdale

asked the Minister of Transport when he now proposes to make a further statement on the nationalisation of the ports.

11. Mr. Rossi

asked the Minister of Transport what consideration he has given to options, other than nationalisation, for the reorganisation of the ports; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Ridley

asked the Minister of Transport if he will make a further statement on Her Majesty's Government's intentions with regard to the future ownership of the docks.

Mr. Marsh

As I said yesterday in reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Louth (Sir C. Osborne), I will make a further statement as soon as I have completed my consideration of the views expressed in the consultations we have had.—[Vol. 764, c. 60.]

Mr. Ridsdale

Will the right hon. Gentleman now scrap the ridiculous proposals of his predecessor, which are doctrinaire political nonsense and make no business sense?

Mr. Marsh

I do not believe that the hon. Gentleman is being objective about this.

Mr. Rossi

Will the right hon. Gentleman pay particular regard to the observations of the Rochdale Committee, which seems to propose a formula far less complicated and distracting than nationalisation?

Mr. Marsh

Certainly, in our consultations all the advice tendered will be considered. Of course the Government are committed to taking steps in relation to our ports which, unfortunately, right hon. Members opposite did not take for such a long time, with such dire consequences.

Mr. McNamara

Is my right hon. Friend aware that we on this side are eagerly awaiting the proposals of the Government to implement the undertaking to nationalise the ports, but this is important both as a social reform and as an economic necessity?

Mr. Marsh

I am grateful for my hon. Friend's support.

Sir Harmar Nicholls

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the fear that Wisbech port might be adversely affected is causing local concern? Is he further aware that, with the development of the East Anglia and particularly the Peterborough expansion, the Wisbech port will be put to good use?

Mr. Marsh

It is our intention to take all these matters into account. I regret the uncertainty which exists, but on the other hand these are very important proposals.

Mr. Peter Walker

Will the right hon. Gentleman confirm whether he is considering the whole future of the basis of organisation of the ports or is considering the form of nationalisation? Presumably he is considering whether or not to nationalise.

Mr. Marsh

I am considering the views expressed in consultations I am having.

Sir H. Harrison

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the very great developments by private enterprise at Felixstowe, which have given great pride to all of us in Suffolk? It would be a tragedy if the port were nationalised in view of these developments.

Mr. Marsh

Certainly I will bear these things in mind.

12. Mr. Patrick Jenkin

asked the Minister of Transport what estimate he has made of the cost of compensation for nationalisation of the ports, as set out by his Department on 7th July, 1967; and whether he will apply the test rate of discount laid down in the Government's Review of Economic and Financial Objectives for Nationalised Industries to this proposed investment.

Mr. Marsh

Proposals for compensation are receiving the detailed consideration to which reference was made in the "working document". It would not be appropriate at this stage to publish any estimate of cost.

Mr. Jenkin

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that estimates have been widely quoted of not less than £350 million a year and that it could be £400 million? Does not he recognise that to issue compensation on this sort of scale at this time in the economic climate would be damaging in the extreme? Will he categorically undertake that this is not what he has in mind?

Mr. Marsh

It is always distressing the extent to which these rumours gain currency among people on either side of the House.

Mr. Ridley

What would the right hon. Gentleman expect nationalisation of the docks, as outlined in his predecessor's programme, to cost?

Mr. Marsh

As I tried to explain earlier, the question of compensation is not determined and it would not be appropriate to publish any estimate at this stage.

Mr. McNamara

When considering the question of compensation, will my right hon. Friend bear in mind the tremendous amount of public money which has gone into the ports for their development and that many people have profited from publicly invested money.

Mr. Marsh

One of the problems is that hon. Gentlemen opposite—I make no criticism—tend to have a doctrinal blockage on the matter of public ownership. There is a general expressed and agreed need to do something about the ports. It is a pity that they did not do anything previously.

Mr. Peter Walker

Is the Minister aware that we on this side are delighted that, unlike his predecessor, he has no such doctrinal blockage?

Mr. Marsh

I can only refer, as I did the other day, to the quotation I gave, that philosophers have attempted to interpret the world when what matters is to change it. That is what we, on this side, are concerned to do.