Shelve more nationalisation
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THOUGH the Government has reiterated its intention to extend public ownership in road transport, even the Labour Party's comments on the Green Paper display a coolness toward this step.
The FTA views the proposal with serious concern and its members, as users, cite the experience under the 1947 Act and the escalation of rates. If there is to be any extension it should be on the basis of commercial acquisition to protect the consumer and not distort the transport market.
The inevitable consequences of further nationalisation would be disruption and it welcomes the Government's recognition that it would be inopportune at this time.
The R HA said that there was no need of and no justification for the compulsory acquisition of haulage firms which serve trade and industry without cost to the taxpayer. The NFC believes that the extension of public ownership is best achieved through encouraging that organisation to develop and diversify its operations selectively.
Only in doctrinaire trade union circles was there any support for the proposal.
We feel that it should be shelved if not rejected altogether, and if adopted, the NFC method is the only one to be countenanced. CM