HC Deb 23 July 1979 vol 971 cc19-20
22. Mr. Whitney

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he is aware of the success of many motivation programmes introduced into private industry; and whether he will encourage public sector industries to take a more positive attitude to such programmes.

Mr. Adam Butler

It is for the managements of the public sector industries to decide whether to propose the introduction of schemes of this kind. I am anxious, nevertheless, that the managers and staff of the corporations should be given every encouragement to increase efficiency and reduce costs.

Mr. Whitney

Will my hon. Friend urge those who are responsible for the public sector industries to study positively the motivation programmes which have achieved great success in private industry and which have every prospect of achieving similar success in the public sector?

Mr. Butler

A wide range of motivation programmes and ideas are available. Schemes are being tried in many corporations. I can assure my hon. Friend that such schemes are encouraged by Ministers.

Mr. Cryer

Does the Minister accept that the motivation of all the people in the public sector industries is severely damaged by Ministers coming to the House and making announcements about selling off, or threatening to sell off, various sections of public sector industries? Does he agree that the Conservative Government have no mandate to wreck British industry and that these threats will be resisted inside and outside the House? Does the Minister agree that the motivation for the preservation of jobs and national assets is strong among the trade union members of those industries?

Mr. Butler

I draw the hon. Member's attention to the Conservative Party manifesto for the last election in which we stated clearly that we would offer to sell the nationalised industries back into private ownership and offer shares to employees. In that offer lies considerable motivation for employees.