Old-fashioned War
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THE Socialists have muffed their first chance of assailing the Government's transport policy. Following the criticism that had been directed at the White Paper from almost every quarter, the debates in both Houses of Parliament provided an opportunity of probing the Government's defence, particularly at those points where its own supporters were inclined to waver.
The Opposition persists in carrying on its political warfare along the old-fashioned lines. Whatever proposal the Tories put forward, it has to be presented by the other side in such a light that they are shown up as shameless capitalists grinding the faces of the poor, and concerned only to benefit the few at the expense of the many.
This line of attack may be useful for catching votes, and if an accusation be repeated frequently enough there are bound to be some people willing to believe it. As a serious argument it does not go far. The Socialists must know that no Government can go against the true interests of the employed classes and still, hope to remain in office.
Employees' Position During the debate in the Commons, much stress was laid on the fact that the White Paper contained no provision for employees of the Road Haulage Executive who might become redundant as a result of denationalization. As might have been expected, the Government was able to reply that this point had been considered and that, where necessary, reasonable compensation would be paid.
Another line Of attack, pursued with much vigour and no little venom, was that the Government had to do as it was told by the Road Haulage Association. Before making this allegation, Mr. Herbert Morrison and his colleagues should have had a look at the sour faces pulled by many hauliers when asked their opinion of the White Paper.
The attempts to blacken the character of the Tories were no doubt designed to lead up to the grand denunciation of the White Paper, all 19 paragraphs of it, and the official confirmation of the Opposition's determination to revoke at the earliest opportunity whatever legislation was passed.
Rumour Scotched
Mr. Morrison was careful to scotch the rumour that renationalization, if it ever came about, would involve confiscation. Compensation would be paid, he said, but on terms which would safeguard the public interest and prevent private speculators from making profits at the public expense. This appears to mean that prospective purchasers of units at present nationalized cannot expect to buy them cheaply and sell them back to another Government at some later date at a greatly enhanced price.
In so far as this threat deters the mere fortune-hunter, it may do some good. Unfortunately, the threat itself introduces an element of speculation whick will undoubtedly depress the market value of the nationalized units.
The prompt resolve of the Opposition to reverse the policy set out in the White Paper should indicate great confidence in the merits of the present organization of
ol6 transport. One after another the Socialist speakers in the debate praised the work of the British Transport Commission and its Executives. It must be said that on this occasion the case put up was not remarkably good.
Much was made of the fact that the net receipts of the Road Haulage Executive showed a surplus of over Dm. in 1951 as against a deficit of over flm. in 1950. if confirmed, this improvement is creditable, but it does not tell the whole story. It must be increasingly hard for the Socialists not to admit that the nationalized transport system is unsatisfactory when there is so great a volume of customer opinion against them.
Done Their Best They cannot even claim that the people operating the system have failed or have sabotaged the Transport Act. All Parties are agreed that the staff at all levels have worked hard and done their best to achieve success. As the Socialists were responsible for the system, they no doubt feel that they must say it is working well, from which it must follow that the Government has been hoodwinked or bribed into making the changes proposed in the White Paper.
Of all the nationalization schemes carried out by the Labour Government elected in 1945, the Conservatives have chosen to disturb one, and a part only of that. Had they wished, they could long' ago have abjured the policy of transport denationalization, or at the most promised one or two modifications to the Transport Act. That they have gone much further and deliberately chosen road transport as the battleground is in itself an indication that the case against the Act must be strong.
The Socialists will do much better in later debates when they stop concentrating on the defence of their brand of integration, which the Government is determined to replace. When the new Bill is introduced in July, they will have the opportunity to put forward constructive amendments on the way in which the railways under State control and road transport under free enterprise should be run.
Nearer the Truth
The best speeches from the Opposition benches during the discussion on the White Paper were those criticizing any easy assumption that the position could revert to what it was in 1939. At times the White Paper itself appears to make this acsumption. There is more to the Government policy than that. It is nearer the truth to say that a partial return to the old position may be necessary at the first stage, merely to provide a springboard from which the transport industry will be able to reach the goal that the Government has in mind for it.
The task will not be easy. The Minister of Transport. has expressed his intention to consult as many as possible of the interests concerned. Consultation with the Opposition will take place in Parliament following the introduction of the Bill. With goodwill on both sides, it is possible that for the first time the legislation which finally crystallizes will ensure that, in the words of the White Paper, "trade and industry will get a better service, and the distribution of traffic between road and rail will be determined by the advantage which each has to offer."