Scotsman Archive: Serious issues to be settled 15 February, 1950

MR Churchill, who drew renewed loud applause when he rose to speak, said: "I have spoken several times in the Usher Hall during this 20th century so filled with tumult, but I am sure that there was no occasion, not even in the height of the war, when the issues which it was in our power to settle were so serious for the whole world, for Great Britain – and for Scotland.

The Prime Minister, Mr Attlee, has made it clear that his intention is to establish a Socialist State in this island at the earliest moment. He intends to create a society in which the State will control and own all the means of production distribution and exchange.

We have had one instalment of this during the last four and a half years, and now we are asked to vote whether we want to take a second plunge into this immense social and economic revolution. They propose at once to nationalise steel and in addition they mention cement, sugar, chemicals, meat and industrial life assurance."

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