Cut it out
Page 4
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The Government's avowed intent to cut public spending has raised the predictable political wailing from the Opposition. Public sector trade union officials have adopted pompous postures and left the country in no doubt that they will "protect their members' interest." At whose expense they do not say.
At the same time the unions are clamouring for parity with the private sector. They should be told that is precisely the Government's policy. Parity of salary for parity of effort — this would inevitably lead to cuts.
Centralisation of transport services in the public sector has long been advocated by this journal — we know it pays. Use of professional haulage companies instead of direct labour similarly pays.
A higher level of efficiency and a lower level of public spending can be achieved by introducing a sensible mix of both of these practices. Public employees cannot expect to have it both ways — the protection of the uncompetitive sector and the rewards of profit-oriented companies. The Strathclyde organisation is ample proof that centralisation works if the will is there. It would be copied advantageously by all other public authorities, We recommend it to the careful study of Mr Michael Heseltine, the Minister on whom the burden of local government expenditure problems fall.