§ 39. Mr. DAYasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether His Majesty's Government have been consulted with reference to the holdings of the Anglo-Persian Oil Company in the formation of the Consolidated Petroleum Company: whether the Consolidated Petroleum Company have acquired any of the distributing rights or organisation of the Anglo-Persian Oil Company; and can he give the House full particulars?
§ The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. Churchill)The answer to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative. I have no particulars to give regarding the formation of the new company beyond those which have already been made public; but, if the hon. Member will study the detailed announcement made by the Anglo-Persian Oil Company three weeks ago, together with the report of the chairman's speech at the annual meeting on the 6th November, he will understand the position.
§ Mr. DAYCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Anglo-Persian Oil Company have conceded all their distributing rights to this new company?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI think that point is really covered by my statement.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYWhat becomes of the independence of the Anglo-Persian Oil Company, in which His Majesty's Government invested a large sum of the taxpayers' money?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI do not think it affects their independence in any way.
§ Lieut. Commander KENWORTHYHow can it not be affected if the distributing organisation is taken over by an international Dutch American company?