§ 38. Mr. SHINWELLasked the Postmaster-General the percentages of oil, petrol, and paraffin wax used in his Department which are purchased from Scottish Oils Company and are derived from shale produced in Scotland?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONThe Scottish Oil Agency, to which I assume that the question refers, received orders for oil, petrol and paraffin wax according to the normal practice of the Post Office, which is to place orders on consideration of net cost after competitive tender. It is not in the public interest 853 to publish what percentage of the Department's orders is secured by the tenders of any particular firm.
§ Mr. SHINWELLIf the right hon. Gentleman cannot furnish the information as to the percentage of oil and other commodities derived from Scottish shale used by his Department, is there any reason why the public should not be informed of these facts?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL - THOMSONI should think that the reason would be perfectly well known to the hon. Member. It has never been the practice to tell tenderers what the percentage is in these contracts.
§ Mr. SHINWELLDoes the right hon. Gentleman not agree that it is quite proper to furnish information to this House as to the actual amount of oil, paraffin wax, and other commodities used by his Department derived from Scottish shale? That is what I am asking for.
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONInasmuch as the oil from Scottish shale is all derived from one firm, to do that would amount to giving the information to the world.