§ 50. Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYasked the Prime Minister to whom it is proposed to sell the shares in the Anglo Persian Oil Company, Limited, held by the Government; who first approached the Government with an offer to buy these shares; and for whom was this person or these persons acting?
§ Mr. N. CHAMBERLAINAs already stated by me, no proposition to sell the Government shares in the Anglo-Persian Oil Company has been accepted. Proposals with this object were first made by the Managing Director of the Burmah Oil Company, Limited, but it is understood that, in addition to the company he represents, the Shell and Royal Dutch Companies were also interested in the project.
§ Mr. SHINWELLWere the directors of the Anglo-Persian Oil Company consulted at any time during the negotiations, and, if so, with what result? Were they in agreement with the proposal which emanated from the Burmah Oil Company?
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINI do not know whether the hon. Member means the Government directors of the Anglo-Persian Oil Company, or all the directors.
§ Mr. SHINWELLThe board itself.
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINNo, Sir, the board itself has not been officially consulted.
§ Viscount CURZONCan the right hon. Gentleman give us an assurance that, so far as His Majesty's present Government are concerned, they are not in favour of the sale of these shares without Parliament being able to express its opinion?
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINI have already replied to another question to the effect that His Majesty's Government had not felt able to take any final decision on this matter, and it had been their intention to refer it to a Cabinet Committee to examine and report upon before they came to any decision.
§ Mr. SHINWELLWere any of the directors of the Anglo-Persian Oil Company consulted individually, and, in so doing, were the Government directors consulted, and with what result?
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINYes, Sir, the two Government directors have been consulted individually. I do not think that it would be in the public interest to disclose exactly what their advice was, because this question has not been decided, and it may be decided by some Government in the future who might not desire to have information given as to the exact course recommended.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYWho conducted the negotiations on the Government side? Was it the right hon. Gentleman himself, or who was it?
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe proposals were originally put forward to the President of the Board of Trade. I have myself also been consulted, and also the First Lord of the Admiralty and the Secretary of State for War.
§ Colonel Sir CHARLES YATEWill the Government see to it that the Anglo-Persian Oil Company is kept a purely British company?
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINI certainly think that that is very desirable.