The silent men
Page 4
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Throughout the road haulage strike negotiations, one important Government minister was silent. There was not one word of guidance from the normally talkative Roy Hattersley, Prices Secretary. Mr Hattersley has been studying the Price Commission report on road haulage and is expected next week to make an order to freeze haulage rates (CM, Dec 22, 1978).
It was with this threat hanging over their heads that the Road Haulage Association made its 13 per cent offer. If the order is made, the wage increase will not be recouped through increased rates but will be met out of resources set aside to replace vehicles. Seen in this context, the offer was more than generous. But why was Mr Hattersley so silent? Did he believe with the Prime Minister that there was no chaos — or was he under instructions to keep a low profile?
Whatever the reason, the R HA had to present its case without possession of all the facts, indeed with a serious doubt in its mind. Its performance was commendable.
But what has happened to the open government we were promised? Surely the Hattersley decision was not regarded as classified information?
Where also was the Secretary of State for Transport during the troubles? Apart from his almost unreported plea to the NUR not to strike this week, he also was keeping a low profile during the greatest transport disruption Britain has faced, apart from the General Strike.
What were our ministers afraid of, public reaction or the wrath of their leader? They may soon have plenty of time to contemplate their inactivity.