§ 30. Viscount CURZONasked the Home Secretary how much oil has been got from the Hardstoft and other boreholes in England to date; what has been done with the oil so far obtained; has the maximum production in each case been reached; what is the total cost to the country of the work so far carried out; what is the value of the oil so far obtained; what is the value of the daily-production; is it proposed to spend any more money in this connection; and, if so, can any estimate be given of the probable expenditure and return thereon?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of MUNITIONS (Mr. James Hope)I have been asked to answer this question. In regard to the progress of the borings and the production at Hardstoft I would refer my Noble Friend to the reply given yesterday to the hon. Member for North East Derbyshire. Out of the sum of £1,000,000 voted by Parliament to be spent under the agreement with Messrs. S. Pearson and Son, Limited, the total expenditure from the inception of the scheme up to end of October, 1920, has been £469,830, of which some £70,000 comes within the present financial year.
§ Mr. PEMBERTON BILLINGIs it a fact that the Government are selling all the oil reserves of this country to the petrol trust?
§ Mr. BILLINGThey are advertising it on all their vans.
§ Viscount CURZONAre we getting any return for the money that has been laid out?