HC Deb 05 March 1929 vol 226 cc202-3
47. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the advance in the price of petrol owing to price-fixing agreements between the oil combines; and whether he will take the possibility of further increases in prices of petrol into consideration in framing the Budget for next year?

Mr. CHURCHILL

Yes, Sir. Naturally I shall take all these matters into consideration.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

Does that mean that the action of this "ring" will affect the right hon. Gentleman's Budget?

Mr. CHURCHILL

Naturally, I cannot give any indication of what the course of the decision which will be taken in regard to the Budget for next year will be, but I may say that there are on the Paper several questions addressed to various Departments—

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

Not for to-day.

Mr. CHURCHILL

No, not for to-day. I think they are mainly for Thursday. The Government will take an opportunity in regard to those questions to make a comprehensive reply.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

Was not the right hon. Gentleman very clearly warned last year when the marketing arrangements—

Mr. SPEAKER

Mr. Hore-Belisha!

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the very serious effect this rise in price is having on the motor industry?

Mr. CHURCHILL

Yes, Sir; I am left in no doubt of that from the columns of the daily newspapers.

Commander LOCKER-LAMPSON

If there is any further reduction of taxa tion on oil or petrol, will the right hon. Gentleman see that it does not apply to any coming from Russia?

Mr. GEOFFREY PETO

Is not this the case of a capitalist combine formed by the Russian Soviet Government?

Mr. SPEAKER

The original question refers to the Budget for next year, and I do not see that these supplementary questions have any bearing upon it.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

Am I not in order in asking the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he did not receive warning of this last year when the amalgamation took place?

Mr. SPEAKER

That has nothing to do with the Budget for next year.

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