§ 45. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Prime Minister whether he can make any further statement about the price of petrol and other oils?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Baldwin)I have just received a statement from the oil companies concerned. I have authorised the circulation of this statement to the Press. The document is a long one, however, and, if hon. Members would desire to have the opportunity of studying the complete text, I should be glad to lay it in full before Parliament as a White Paper.
§ The PRIME MINISTERIt is much too early to say because it was only received for consideration this morning.
Mr. THOMASWould it not have been better for the Government to have considered the question, and to have given their judgment, having regard to the Prime Minister's statement?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo, I think it is a matter of such general interest that the fullest publicity is desirable.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYCan the Prime Minister say if the answer is satisfactory to the consumers of petrol?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe answer has only just been received.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYHas the right hon. Gentleman information of a further rise in the price of petrol on the 1st April?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have no information either of a rise or a fall.
§ Mr. CRAWFURDIs it proposed in the White Paper to add comments by the Government?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo, I should like the hon. Gentleman to make his own comments.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYWe shall do that all right.
§ Mr. THURTLEAfter having considered the statement, does the Prime Minister propose to make any further statement on the subject?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI think that that follows as a matter of course.