HC Deb 24 October 1983 vol 47 c12
16. Mr. Canavan

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will list the schemes of privatisation of transport interests which have taken place since May 1979 and the schemes under consideration by the Government.

Mr. Ridley

Since 1979 the National Freight Corporation and British Transport Docks have both been privatised. Other disposals include British Rail's hovercraft and hotel interests, International Aeradio Ltd. and much of British Airways' hotel investment, as well as long leases on most motorway service areas.

We have made clear our commitment to introduce private capital into British Airways, BAA and CAA airports, the National Bus Company and Sealink.

Mr. Canavan

Is the Secretary of State aware that many of the private entrepreneurs who have taken advantage of the privatisation of bus services not only confine their operations to the most lucrative routes but appear to show a marked preference for buying foreign-made vehicles? Will he therefore take steps to stop these pirates undermining the job prospects of workers in the British coachbuilding industry, for example at Alexanders of Falkirk in my constituency?

Mr. Ridley

I must tell the hon. Gentleman that, on the contrary, in many of the privatisation there has been a remarkable improvement in the service to the consumer, in the economic performance of the unit and in the fortunes of those who work in them. For example, in the National Freight Consortium, shares which the workers bought for £1 are now worth £3.40, and the service has been improved. The hon. Gentleman must put his question about Scottish buses to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.

Mr. Robert Hughes

Is the Secretary of State aware that the company that bought much of British Rail hotels, Virani Brothers, has utterly refused to meet any of its obligations in relation to pension rights and trade union conditions? If the attempts to get this remedied are frustrated by the shunting around of these hotels from one company to another, what will the Minister do to ensure that these matters are put right?

Mr. Ridley

The hon. Gentleman knows that Ministers are not responsible for the pension funds of private sector companies. They are not really responsible, except indirectly, for the pension funds of nationalised industries. It must be accepted by the Opposition that these are matters of private negotiation between the two sides of industry, once privatisation has taken place.