1. Mr. CHANCELLORasked the President of the Board of Trade whether any borings for petroleum have yet been carried out in the United Kingdom; whether any petroleum has been discovered; if so, whether such discoveries give ground for expecting to secure economical supplies; and whether, beyond an equitable price for land taken or equitable compensation for damage done, any payments to owners of petroliferous land have been made or agreed upon or promised?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of MUNITIONS (Sir W. Evans)I have been asked to answer this question. No boring for oil has been carried out in the United Kingdom. The other questions do not, therefore, arise.