Time for reason
Page 4
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The Prime Minister's plans to sell shares in the public sector has a great deal to commend it to all parties of every shade. No doubt, however, there will be howls of anguish from across the floor of the House when ideological fanaticism replaces common sense in subsequent -de-nationalisationdebates.
Doubtless the Government is ready to meet the salvoes of the Opposition and the distractions of Mr Steel's snipers. But their power could be dampened and their firing pins broken without a drop of blood being spilled.
The Tories were to offer the first refusal to purchase shares to those people employed in the industry. Who could then complain? The shares could be offered for payment on a monthly basis through deduction from wages and salaries. Surely none but the most fanatical left-winger could view such a scheme as a capitalist trick.
Mr Steel's XI would surely welcome such a move, since it meets their declared principles of worker participation. The Tories could claim that they would be helping the small investor, or indeed the small businessman. It has the merit of promoting incentives — a scheme which the Government used as a plank in its general election platform.
In some ways the scheme is an extension of public ownership using private funds. It would give the NFC employees the opportunity to invest in their own future. That, surely, is what Mrs Thatcher has said she wants for Great Britain.