§ 46. Sir D. Robertsonasked the Prime Minister in view of the need for curbing inflation, if he will convene a conference of the Chairmen of the Boards of the nationalised industries in order to concert methods of postponing increases in their charges by reducing their costs through providing better, more efficient and more competitive service.
§ The Prime MinisterI appreciate my hon. Friend's suggestion, but I do not think there is occasion for such a conference. The Government are in constant touch with Chairmen of Boards of nationalised industries, and I know that they are fully alive to the need to keep down costs by increased efficiency. But the increased costs which have fallen on these industries, mainly through increased wages, have been far greater than can be absorbed in this way, and increased charges are therefore inevitable.