§ 1. Commander Viscount CURZONasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will, in the public interest, ascertain and state the price at which the Anglo-Persian Oil Company, in which the British Government has a controlling interest, is now selling its petrol to the Royal Dutch Shell group; and whether that price varies in accordance with the market price of petrol, or is a fixed price during the term of the contract between the company and the Shell group??
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the DEPARTMENT of OVERSEAS TRADE (Mr. Kellaway)As stated in reply to the hon. Member for Central Nottingham on 29th March, it is regretted that the price ruling under this contract cannot be stated. It has previously been made clear that this particular contract was concluded before His Majesty's Government acquired an interest in the company.
§ Viscount CURZONAre we to understand from the answer that the Government do not know the price, or that they do not like to state it?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYI believe the price was given before the Profiteering Committee.
§ Mr. KELLAWAYI think not A contract has been in existence for some years.