§ 60. Mr. LAWSONasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will institute an inquiry into the effect upon the coalmining industry of the recent agreement for the restriction of benzol between the benzol producers and certain oil companies?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister)I should be glad if the hon. Member would kindly inform me what agreement he has in mind.
§ Mr. LAWSONIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the supply of benzol does not by any means meet the demand, and that there is an agreement for restriction in output?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTEROn the contrary, I know of no agreement for restriction in respect to benzol, and, from inquiries that I have made, I cannot 697 find out anybody who does know. That is why I have asked the hon. Member to give me particulars.
§ Mr. LAWSONMay we take it that the right hon. Gentleman has made inquiries?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERCertainly. I made inquiries as soon as the question was put down, and I cannot find verification in any quarter that there is any such agreement.