No haulage nationalization yet
Page 19
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
from our political correspondent
THE BILL to carry out the Government's plan to nationalize further sections of the road haulage industry is not expected to emerge early in the new Parliament.
The intention, set out in both the Industrial Regeneration White Paper and Labour's Manifesto will no doubt be repeated in the Queen's speech on Tuesday week (October 29) which will set out the broad framework of the legislative programme.
But the informed Whitehall view is that in any event road haulage will not figure high in the new shopping list for State intervention.
Indeed, because of its small majority the Government may have to go slow on its nationalization plans as a whole. The Prime Minister has taken care to stress that Labour's Programme is for "a full Parliament," which could mean up to five years.
However, in any national ization legislation which is brought forward priority will be given to a Bill implementing the White paper proposals in relation to manufacturing industry. These include the setting up of a National Enterprise Board with power to take a controlling 100 per cent interest "by agreement" in any company and for planning agreement for partnership arrangements between Government 'and the private sector.
Road haulage, as a service industry, would not be covered by this legislation. Proposals would be set up in a separate Bill by the Secretary of State for the Environment, as sponsoring the Minister for Transport.
The Government is believed to have in mind a straight take-over of sections of road haulage rather than any arrangements under the National Enterprise Board or planning agreements procedures.