37. Lieut.-Colonel TODDasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the vulnerability of our existing 971 oil supplies, he will make it a matter of urgency that the oilfield in the Dead Sea region shall be developed without delay, under reliable British direction, to provide a reliable supply of fuel for the Navy?
The FIRST LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Sir Bolton Eyres Monsell)I do not altogether share the views of my hon. and gallant Friend regarding the vulnerability of our existing oil supplies, nor as to the urgency of developing this particular oilfield, if oil in quantity is found to exist. The Admiralty would, of course, welcome its development, but they consider that, from the Naval point of view, there is no need to take any special steps in this direction.
Lieut.-Colonel TODDIs the First Lord of the Admiralty aware that the oil which has been discovered is considerably closer to the port than the existing supplies?
Sir B. EYRES MONSELLI am aware of that fact, but I also think that any further question on this point should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies.