§ 17. Mr. Montgomeryasked the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to nationalise the road haulage industry.
§ 21. Mr. Adleyasked the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to nationalise the road haulage industry.
§ Mr. William RodgersI refer the hon. Members to the answer given to the hon. Member for Devizes (Mr. Morrison) on 1st February.
§ Mr. MontgomeryWill the Secretary of State tell us what that answer was? It is ridiculous to answer Questions by referring to Questions that were answered some months ago.
§ Mr. RodgersThe answer to the Question was "Not in this Session".
§ Mr. RodgersBecause there is not time.
§ Mr. FlanneryHas my right hon. Friend noticed the profits—to the chagrin of the Tory Party—which nationalised industries have recently declared? Did he also notice the way the Tories assailed the steel industry, which is going through a slump the same as the rest of the steel industries in the world? Finally, does not my right hon. Friend agree with me that, whether it be in this Session or not, we should seriously think of nationalising the road haulage industry, because we can prove that it will ultimately be a success on behalf of our people?
§ Mr. RodgersMy hon. Friend is right to draw attention to the importance of the road haulage industry. It plays a very important part in our transport system and contributes substantially to the national economy.
I confess that I am in favour of a mixed economy in this sector. We have in the National Freight Corporation a very important public sector element, and I should like to see it grow until the public sector element is the more substantial part of the total business.
§ Mr. Montgomeryrose—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. The hon. Member for Altrincham and Sale (Mr. Montgomery) did not have a fair chance to ask his supplementary question.
§ Mr. MontgomeryIn view of the answer eventually given by the Secretary of State, will he please explain why the Labour Party is pressing on for the extension of public ownership, particularly as he himself has stressed the efficiency of our road transport industry? Does that 750 make any sense? What would the general public get from the extension of public ownership in this industry?
§ Mr. RodgersI am sorry that the hon. Gentleman possibly missed my reply to my hon. Friend's supplementary question. I said that I was in favour of a growing public sector but also of a mixed economy in road haulage. Many hon. Members on both sides of the House believe that the National Freight Corporation makes a very valuable contribution to the country's economy. I want it to be given the opportunity to grow and to be a pace setter. The road haulage industry has had a mixed record in the past, and I want to see it improved.
§ Mr. FryMay I remind the Secretary of State that he told us a few moments ago that he was not taking part in writing the Labour Party's manifesto? I put it to the right hon. Gentleman that he is Secretary of State for Transport. If he holds the views he expressed, he should try to write part of the Labour Party's manifesto in relation to the haulage industry—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. The hon. Gentleman is now arguing a case. I should be much obliged if he would put a question.
§ Mr. CorbettQuestion.
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. We are excited today. When the hon. Gentleman said that the country wants to know, he really meant that he wants to know, and that is his question.
§ Mr. FryI am grateful, Mr. Speaker. Is the Secretary of State aware that the House, the country and the road haulage industry want to know in clear, unequivocal terms the Government's policy in relation to the future of nationalisation of the road haulage industry?
§ Mr. RodgersI have said plainly that we have no plans for legislation in this Session. I have also said that I am in favour of a mixed economy in road haulage. I added that I should like to see a larger public sector, built on the National Freight Corporation. Beyond that, I must ask the hon. Gentleman to wait for the manifesto.