Editorial
Page 4
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Argument for enterprise
S THERE a case for private enterprise in the public sector? The powerful arguments or and against have gone on for years and will continue to do so.
Those local authorities which have gone over to private contractors are showing avings in the public expenditure budgets. Those who have given the matter "serious onsideration" have experienced improved productivity from their employees. They nerefore, may not now sell out.
The hard line anti-private enterprise councils soldier on spending ratepayers' noney without too much regard for productivity.
Local government transport is an area of public expenditure which demands close xamination.
A central transport department run on commercial lines is a well proven way of utting council costs. It was first introduced in Scotland 21 years ago. But its evelopment has been slow elsewhere.
Private contractor services came into vogue in 1980 and have had limited cceptance as yet.
Local governments are bound by statute to provide services. That does not mean lat they must own and operate vehicles. We believe this is best left in the hands of rivate contractors. There are enough haulage operators about to cope with the aried transport requirements of local authorities, and they could provide a more fficient and less expensive service than iirect labour" achieves.
However, the final decision is political, and there that is the consideration, cost and fficiency goes into the rubbish dump. •