Rodgers' role in party manifesto
Page 19
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
TRANSPORT Minister William Rodgers successfully evaded the issue when he was asked last week if Labour planned to nationalise road haulage — though he did admit that he was in favour of a mixed economy in the industry.
He started off by saying that he had no nationalisation plans this session, because there was not time.
Then left-winger Martin Flannery (Labour, Hillsborough) suggested that Labour should seriously think of nationalisation because it would ultimately prove to be a success "on behalf of our people".
Mr Flannery was right to draw attention to the importance of the road haulage industry, replied Mr Rodgers. It played a very important part in our transport system and contributed substantially to the national economy.
The National Freight Corporation was a very important public sector element, went on the Minister, and he would like to see it grow until the public sector element was the more substantial part of the total business.
Fergus Montgomery (Tory, Altrincham and Sale) wondered why the Labour Party was pressing on for the extension of public ownership, particularly as the Minister had stressed the importance of the road haulage industry. Did that make any sense?
What would the general public get from the extension of public ownership in this industry?
Mr Rodgers told him that many Members on both sides of the House believed that the NFC made a very valuable contribution to the country's economy. He wanted it to be given the opportunity to grow and to be a pace-setter.
The road haulage industry had a mixed record in the past, and he wanted to see it improved.
Peter Fry (Tory, Wellingborough) recalled that in answer to an earlier question Mr Rodgers had said he was playing no part in writing Labour's manifesto. He was Secretary of State for Transport, and if he held the views he expressed he should try to write part of it in relation to the haulage industry. The House, the country and the road haulage industry wanted to know in clear unquivocal terms the Government's policy in relation to the future of nationalisation of the industry.
Mr Rodgers reminded him of the points he had already made, and added: "Beyond that, I must ask the Hon Gentleman to wait for the manifesto."