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Yes, our third Minister

22nd October 1983
Page 5
Page 5, 22nd October 1983 — Yes, our third Minister
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

NICHOLAS RIDLEY, the new Transport Secretary, is the third transport minister to hold office within six months. He was Financial Secretary to the Treasury and is almost certain to speed up the privatisation programme indicated by the Government.

For Mr Ridley is the man who drew up proposals for privatisation in 1978 so far reaching that even Mrs Thatcher threw them out, writes CM's Parliamentary correspondent. He also proposed that the Government should "take off" what he regarded as weak unions — including the rail union.

Mr Ridley, 54, was thought to have been upset after the general election when he was not promoted to the Cabinet from his Financial Secretary position.

But as a hard-line Thatcherite on economic policy, his promotion maintains the Prime Minister's grip in the Cabinet. But it will be a disappointment for several junior ministers widely regarded as Cabinet material that Mr Ridley was not passed over again — particularly for Kenneth Clarke, a former junior minister in the Department of Transport.

Mr Ridley resigned from the Heath Government in 1972 when he disapproved of the Premier's policy of supporting lame ducks.

He succeeds Tom King who has been promoted to Employment Secretary.

The Freight Transport Association and Road Haulage Association told CM that they will be trying to arrange a meeting with the Transport Secretary as soon as possible.

An FTA spokesman added that it was a shame that the transport industry had seen come and go three Transport Secretaries within such a short period. "The lack of continuity generated by these moves is unfortunate. However, we look forward to meeting him in the near future," he said.

Freddie Plaskett, RHA directorgeneral, said he hoped Mr Ridley would continue the dialogue between Government and the industry that Tom King had encouraged.


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