§ 47. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Prime Minister what body or bodies, are inquiring into the possibilities of obtaining more of the petrol and other mineral oils used in this country from home resources?
§ The SECRETARY for MINES (Mr. Shinwell)I have been asked to reply. My hon. and gallant Friend will see by reference to the statement made on the 6th May last on my behalf that the question of stimulating the production of oil from home sources is being pursued very actively by the Government through the two Departments primarily concerned, namely, the Mines Department, which deals with the general and commercial aspect of the question, and the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, which is responsible for research. A close liaison is being maintained between these two Departments. The matter is also kept under periodic review by the Oil Board, and a special Committee of the Cabinet has one aspect of the question under immediate consideration. Tests of the oil fuels produced from coal have been and are being carried out by the Admiralty, War Office and Air Ministry.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYI am much obliged to my hon. Friend, but the answer that he has given me is not really what I asked for. I want to know what the bodies are.
§ Mr. SHINWELLI have given my hon. and gallant Friend a very full answer. I have pointed out that the Mines Department is one of the bodies, that the Scientific Industrial Research Department is another, and that there is very close co-operation between the two.
§ Major COLVILLEIs it not the case that the largest existing sources of home supply in Scotland are in danger of being closed down?
§ Mr. REMERIs the hon. Member aware that firms who are interested in this matter have great difficulty in obtaining any information from the Ministry of Mines?