§ 45. Viscount WOLMERasked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to an announcement to the effect that the Royal Dutch and the Standard, the two big oil trusts, have entered into an agreement for the division between them of the world's oil markets; will he state if the AngloPersian Oil Company is a party to this agreement; and, if so, what steps the Government propose to take to prevent such a monopoly raising the prices of all oil products against consumers?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. William Graham)The answers to the first two parts of the question are in the negative; and the last part does not therefore arise.
§ Viscount WOLMERCan the hon. Member answer the last part of the question?
§ Mr. GRAHAMThe Noble Lord will see that that does not arise. The company to which the Noble Lord refers are not parties to the agreement.