HC Deb 28 June 1973 vol 858 cc1725-6
05. Mr. Edward Taylor

asked the Prime Minister when he next plans to meet the chairmen of the boards of the nationalised industries.

The Prime Minister

A representative of the nationalised industries takes part in the meetings between the Government and the CBI. I am always willing to meet the Chairmen collectively when it would be useful to do so but I have no plans at present for such a meeting.

Mr. Taylor

Now that the Hardman Report has proposed the dispersal of 30,000 Civil Service jobs from the London area, does not my right hon. Friend consider that the chairmen of nationalised industries should now be invited to consider whether it would be appropriate to disperse their massive and growing offices in the heart of London.

The Prime Minister

I am quite prepared to ask my right hon. Friends who are departmentally responsible for dealing with the chairmen of nationalised industries to put this question to them. In fairness to the nationalised industries, I think that they have all got a considerable proportion of their staff already placed outside London and in the regions of this country. Some problems have arisen because in the process of rationalisation they have amalgamated some regional offices and this has caused anxiety, but they have taken great care to ensure that this is a gradual process which can be handled properly. I shall certainly ask my right hon. Friends to discuss this matter with the chairmen of the nationalized industries.

Mr. Stonehouse

When the Prime Minister meets the chairmen of the nationalised industries, will he acknowledge that it is no contribution to their efficiency or their investment programmes artificially to hold down prices in publicly-owned industry when other sections of industry are allowed to increase prices?

The Prime Minister

There are very strict controls over other sections of industry. Under the code, the nationalised industries are treated in the same way as private industry. There is no point in hon. Members shaking their heads. The code is published and is public. If they go to the Price Commission, the Price Commission acts under the code. I hope that the hon. Gentleman will boldly say in public, therefore, that he believes that the nationalised industries' prices should be put up, than the consumer should pay, and that inflation should be increased in this way.