§ 44 and 51. Mr. SHINWELLasked (1) the Prime Minister whether the proposals submitted to him by the late President of the Board of Trade with regard to the shale-oil industry were considered by him and with what result;
(2) the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can state the date on which proposals for a quota for home-produced oil were submitted to the Treasury; whether they were brought to his attention; and with what result?
§ The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. Philip Snowden)I have been asked to reply. The proposals in question were communicated to my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister in a letter dated 11th August, and a copy was sent to the Treasury on the following day. By that time all the Ministers concerned were wholly absorbed in discussions on the financial situation.
§ Mr. SHINWELLMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether on the 12th August a letter was not personally directed to him by the President of the Board of Trade, whether he had an opportunity of reading it, and with what result?
§ Mr. SNOWDENI did not receive a letter from the President of the Board 1452 of Trade on 12th August. I believe that such a letter was addressed to the Prime Minister on that date, but the proposals were not received by the Treasury until 15th August. As I have already stated in reply to the question on the Paper, at that time I and other Ministers were wholly absorbed in considering the financial situation.
§ Mr. SHINWELLI am obliged to my right hon. Friend for having cleared up that point. May I ask if those proposals are to be considered by the Government?
§ Mr. SNOWDENThis question does not really fall within my province. It is a matter for the Minister of Mines in the first place, then the President of the Board of Trade, and then the Cabinet.
§ Mr. SHINWELLWill the right hon. Gentleman say whether this matter is not now before the Treasury and the Prime Minister, and will it receive the consideration of the Government?
§ Mr. SNOWDENI cannot speak for the Government. I can speak only for my own Department. [Interruption.] As far as I am concerned, it is not a Departmental Treasury matter.
§ Mr. SHINWELLWith great respect I rise to a point of Order. This is an important point. In the Debate on the Income Tax last week the right hon. Gentleman stated to the House that he had not received any communication from the Board of Trade with regard to this matter, and that point has now been cleared up. On this point I submit, Mr. Speaker, that I have a right to put this further question to the right hon. Gentleman. In view of the fact that the matter is before the Government, will the Chancellor of the Exchequer, who has replied on behalf of the Prime Minister, ascertain whether the Government propose to consider this question at the earliest opportunity?
§ Mr. SNOWDENThat is a question which will have to be answered by the Prime Minister.
§ Mr. SHINWELLMy question was addressed to the Prime Minister.
§ Mr. SNOWDENYes, and I have answered it.