§ 15. Mr. ALBERYasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the oil refinery of the Medway Oil and Storage Company, in the Isle of Grain, manufacturers of power petrol, has closed down, with resulting unemployment in that neighbourhood; and whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to take any action calculated to bring about the manufacture in this country of a larger proportion of the petrol consumed?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANAccording to my information this refinery has not yet been closed, but it will be closed in the near future when the present stocks of semi-refined oils, which form the raw material for this type of oil refinery have been used up. As regards the second part of the question, I am fully alive to the considerations involved. This matter, however, involves a question of revenue and I am not in a position to make any statement.
§ Mr. ALBERYIs my right hon. Friend aware that a considerable number of the employés have been dismissed on account 625 of the closing down of this refinery? Are the Government giving sufficient consideration to this important matter from a national point of view, particularly concerning its effects, including defence?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANYes, sir, but the case of this refinery, like a good many others, is bound up with the whole problem of liquid fuel production in this country.