Poll boost for haulage
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THE LABOUR Party's doubts about nationalisation of road haulage are borne out by a public opinion poll commissioned by the Aims of Industry, a pro-free enterprise pressure group.
National Opinion Polls, who carried out a public opinion survey for Aims, claimed that 63 per cent said no to more companies being nationalised, while a further 62 per cent said that nationalised industries were less efficient than free enterprise.
Only 16 per cent of those polled felt that more companies should be nationalised. Twelve per cent felt that nationalised industries were more efficient than free enterprise industries.
Labour's "Programme 1982" calls for nationalisation or renationalisation of companies in the road haulage industry, although the recently-published TUC/Labour Party transport policy document is much less definite on the subject.
The NOP survey of Labour Party supporters discovered a deep division on this topic. Only 38 per cent were in favour of nationalisation, 35 per cent were against, 19 were not sure and seven per cent said it depended which companies were chosen.
Just one in four Labour supporters (25 per cent) felt that more nationalisation would make living standards go up and that nationalised industries were more efficient.
Conservative voters predicatably rejected nationalisation. A total of 85 per cent felt that no more companies should be nationalised, while 63 per cent thought that more nationalisation would lower living standards, and 82 per cent thought nationalised industries were less efficient than free-enterprise industries.
A Freight Transport Association spokesman told CM this week: "The FTA would resist any steps towards nationalisation. We support the freedom of choice for the transport user, firmly believing that trade and industry is in the best position to choose the form of transport best suited to its needs.
"The FTA is pledged to oppose any nationalisation of the haulage industry. Our policy is to encourage an adequate and enterprising haulage industry with stable economic rates."
The Association held a similar poll at the end of 1980, and found that the general public was against any nationalisation of the transport industry.
The Road Haulage Association's spokesman said: "These figures are very welcome, as the road haulage industry is a free enterprise business."