PLAN FOR STATE OWNERSHIP

Southland Times, Issue 25835, 21 November 1945, Page 5

PLAN FOR STATE OWNERSHIP

British Proposals . Outlined

(Rec. 9 p.m.) LONDON, November 19. The Government intends, at a later stage after the nationalization of coal mining, to introduce measures to bring under national ownership and control the electricity supply and gas industries, and the transport'services. Announcing this in the House of Commons, the deputy Prime Minister, Mr Herbert Morrison, added that powers would be taken to nationalize the railways, canals and long distance road haulage services. The Government did not intend to nationalize the shipping industry. While these industries were awaiting nationalization, all necessary development must proceed. The extent to which any industry had not been maintained to the time of transfer would be taken into account in deciding what compensation would be paid. Mr Morrison said: “It will be for the Government and the active leaders and workers in the industries concerned to pull together in a high public spirit, so that these great changes may be carried through smoothly and successfully, thereby promoting the well-being of the nation.”

Discussing the control of road passenger transport, Mr Morrison said there were two alternatives. Firstly, co-or-dinating the undertakings of municitheir own finance, but under a national authority; and secondly, creating regional or joint boards responsible for their own finance, but under a national authority, established to ensure conformity with a general policy of corelation with other forms of transport. This was the most suitable form of public ownership. Dock and harbour undertakings were under consideration,

and also the question of including certain appropriate ancillary activities. “We rely on the shipping industry to play its full part in the effort towards national economic recovery,” Mr Morrison said. “We are alive to the problems with which the shipping industry finds itself confronted. The Government proposes to await the report from the iron and steel industry before taking final decisions on its future organization.”

Mr Oliver Lyttelton emphasized the importance of the statement to the whole industrial field, and asked if Mr Morrison would give time for a discussion.

Mr Morrison replied: “I see no need for that. In the first place legislation will be introduced and will be debated. Secondly, the Opposition had ample opportunity to raise this on the address-in-reply to the King’s speech.” Shouts of protest followed.

Mr Morrison contnued: “I am stating facts. If the Opposition doesn’t know its job, it must be told.” There were cries of protest from the Government benches, answered by Opposition cheers, when Lieutenant-Col-onel Dower (Conservative) raised the question of industries continuing maintenance while awaiting nationalization.

Lieutenant-Colonel Dower said: “If your cai- was to be smashed tomorrow would you sit up all night decarbonizing it?” Mr Morrison replied: “You may think it consistent with your Parliamentary duty to incite industry to sabotage public interest, but, if I may say so, it isn’t.” Cheers now came from the Government benches and cries of protest from the Opposition.