ABSTRACT
‘The degree of interference in the Board’s affairs which can result from extra-statutory pressures can be very great and quite contrary to the underlying philosophy of the relationship between a nationalized industry and the Government, as established by Parliament. Neither Minister nor Board can make a policy statement quite opposed to the truth since the other has the independence to protest and reveal. The Board Chairmen reply that the pressures are not too great and it is very important for them to be able to request a published instruction from a Minister when he wants them to do something against their interpretation of their statutory duties and own best interests. Whether a Minister and his officials get their way through persuasion depends, in a sense, on their competence. Broadly, one can say it is persuasion when a Minister is relying on reason and perseverance to get his way.
