HC Deb 19 July 1916 vol 84 c1017
60. Sir E. CORNWALL

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any payments have been made to the Anglo-Persian Oil Company on account of the £2,000,000 sterling authorised by the House of Commons in the year 1914; and, if so, what were the amounts and at what dates the advances were made?

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. McKenna)

The following payments have been made:

On the 19th August, 1914 £38,000
On the 20th August, 1914 462,250
On the 30th November, 1914 250,750
On the 15th July, 1915 250,000
Total £1,001,000

Commander BELLAIRS

May I ask whether the Government are seeing that the pledge is carried out and that this money is being exclusively devoted to development in the Persian area and is not being spent on oil tankers for transport?

Mr. McKENNA

I would like notice of that question. It would not be in my Department.

Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what proportion of this amount went to the parent company?

Mr. McKENNA

I should like notice of that question.