HC Deb 30 March 1920 vol 127 cc1086-7
89. Mr. MORRIS

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the members of the Sub-committee appointed to investigate petrol and benzol prices possessed an intimate knowledge of the trade; and, if not, will he consider the desirability of the subject being re-examined by experts?

Mr. BRIDGEMAN

None of the members of the Sub-committee appointed to investigate motor fuel were actually engaged in the trade, but all the members of the Sub-committee had the advantage of hearing some 20 witnesses called to give evidence, many of whom possessed a very intimate knowledge of the trade. It is not proposed to adopt the suggestion of my hon. Friend regarding the appointment of a Committee of experts, but I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on the 22nd March, to a question by the hon. and gallant Member for Barnstaple.

Mr. BILLING

Are we to understand that nothing further is to be done in reference to ascertaining whether or not the present petrol combine are exploiting the public of this country?

Mr. BRIDGEMAN

No, Sir; that is not to be understood.

Viscount CURZON

Can the hon. Gentleman state what is being done?

90. Mr. MORRIS

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Report of the Sub-Committee appointed to investigate petrol and benzol prices does not distinguish between crude benzol and refined motor benzol; that to produce one gallon of motor benzol it requires 1.6 gallons of crude benzol; that the Sub-Committee recommended the price beyond which crude benzol should not be sold as 1s. 4d. per gallon, and the equivalent cost of one gallon of refined benzol would be 2s. 1½d. per gallon; that 6½d. per gallon is the cost of refining, and 5d. per gallon is the value of the residuals, leaving nett cost of one gallon at 2s. 3d.; that the cost of distribution and garage profit equals 9½d., bringing the total cost to the public to 3s. 0½d.; and that the maximum sale price recommended by the committee is 2s. 8d. per gallon, showing a loss of 4½d. per gallon; and what steps will be taken to protect the producers and distributors of this home-produced fuel from the above-mentioned error and prevent the sellers of benzol from being prejudiced in the eyes of the public?

Mr. BRIDGEMAN

Representations have been received from the National Benzol Company to the general effect indicated in the question. The matter is still under examination.