HC Deb 30 June 1964 vol 697 c202W
Mr. J. H. Osborn

asked the Minister of Transport if he will give an estimate of the cost of re-nationalising the road haulage industry, on the basis of paying for the assets of the privately-owned firms in the industry.

Mr. Marples

Until I am told what re-nationalising of the road haulage industry means and the terms and circumstances under which it would be carried out, neither I nor anyone else can give any useful estimate of the monetary cost. I have no doubt, however, that the damage to the national interest would be even greater than the financial cost to the taxpayer.