2. Mr. DOYLEasked the President of the Board of Trade if he can give the number of oil wells now being worked in this country; the amount of oil raised during the past six months; the average price per gallon at which it has been sold; 831 and whether, in the opinion of the official experts, there is any good ground for hope in the ultimate success of the boring?
§ The SECRETARY for MINES (Mr. Bridgeman)The only producing oil well at the present time is that put down on behalf of His Majesty's Government at Hardstoft, in Derbyshire. The production for the six months ending 31st December, 1921, amounted to 78 tons. I do not think any oil has been sold since October,' 1920, as it is difficult to dispose of small quantities of crude oil to advantage. The evidence so far obtained has not been sufficiently conclusive to admit of an opinion being expressed as to the commercial possibilities of oil-boring in this country. I may add that His Majesty's Government have abandoned their intention of introducing legislation to give the Crown any further rights or powers in respect of petroleum than it already possesses under the Petroleum Production Act, and that in exercising their powers under that Act the Government will not interfere with the rights of private individuals further than may be necessary to prevent indiscriminate or improper boring.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat docs not arise on the question.