HC Deb 22 January 1986 vol 90 c303
15. Mr. Phillip Oppenheim

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the progress of privatisation of local authority public services.

Mrs. Rumbold

The Government remain disappointed that so few authorities have seen fit to expose their services to competition. Opportunities for increased efficiency, and savings for ratepayers, are clearly being lost.

Mr. Oppenheim

Does my hon. Friend agree that Labour's opposition to the privatisation of services is a reflection of its attitude that the public are there, not to be served, but as an endless source of cash for local authority workers?

Mrs. Rumbold

I agree with my hon. Friend that it is sad that more Labour-controlled authorities have not taken the opportunity, on behalf of their ratepayers, to contract out their services, since there would be undoubted savings for their ratepayers by so doing.