§ Mr. Hardyasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what account he took in preparing his document on nationalised industries legislation of the effect of the proposals contained therein (a) on the facilitation of privatisation, (b) on the promotion of commercial services or (c) on the promotion of the consumer interest.
§ Mr. Peter ReesThe proposals in the document are fully consistent with established Government policy in all these areas. As the document makes clear, the legislative proposals are intended to allow the privatisation of appropriate activities, and to encourage those industries remaining in the public sector to develop as successful, commercially oriented businesses. I believe this will be of significant benefit to their customers.
§ Mr. Hardyasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he proposes to publish a White Paper to present the proposals which are suggested in the recent document he issued on nationalised industry legislation.
§ Mr. Peter ReesNo final decisions have been taken on the timing and content of any legislation. It is premature, therefore, to consider whether a White Paper is appropriate.
§ Mr. Hardyasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer in respect of which nationalised industries further legislation is required to allow privatisation to be effected.
§ Mr. Peter ReesThe proposed legislation will contain no powers to wind up existing corporations or to change their status. Full privatisation of an entire industry will therefore continue to require appropriate primary legislation.
§ Mr. Hardyasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the interests of the consumer will receive any clear and direct consideration before a nationalised industry is required to comply with any financial target set by his Department under the terms of his document on nationalised industry legislation.
§ Mr. Peter ReesNo decisions have been taken on the form and content of any legislation on financial targets. Successive Governments have considered financial targets to be a principal element of the framework within which nationalised industries operate. This framework is designed to promote the efficient allocation and use of resources to the benefit of all, including consumers.
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§ Mr. Hardyasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how the proposals contained in the document on nationalised industries legislation will assist the achievement of more commercial operations by the nationalised industries.
§ Mr. Peter ReesThe proposals in the consultation document are intended to result in clear guidelines within which those industries remaining in the public sector would have freedom to operate as successful, commercial businesses. I would expect clarity in these matters to benefit the industries themselves, their customers, and the nation as a whole.
§ Mr. Hardyasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what direct benefit he expects to accrue to the consumer if he implements the proposals contained in his suggested proposals for nationalised industries legislation.
§ Mr. Peter ReesIt is in the consumers' interest that public sector industries should operate as efficient and successful businesses. Our proposals are directed toward achieving that end.
§ Mr. Hardyasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what response has so far been received in regard to the proposals contained in the document concerning nationalised industries legislation; and what steps he is taking to ensure that the views of consumers are obtained.
§ Mr. Peter ReesFormal responses from 30 organisations and individuals have so far been received in the Treasury. These include comments from most nationalised industries and from a number of consumer bodies. The consultation document was freely available and each of the national nationalised industry consumer councils as well as the National Consumer Council has seen copies of it.