HC Deb 23 February 1937 vol 320 cc1823-4
51. Mr. Anstruther-Gray

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to the decision of the Glasgow Corporation to purchase 1,250,000 gallons of petrol from Russian Oil Products in preference to obtaining it from British firms; and whether in view of the fact that the placing abroad of such orders adversely affects the employment of British workers, he will take any steps in the matter?

Mr. Wedderburn

I am informed that the transport committee of the Corporation of Glasgow recently accepted an offer by Russian Oil Products, Limited, to supply 1,250,000 gallons of petrol at is. 0⅞d. per gallon, as compared with is. 15/16d. per gallon offered by the National companies. The difference in the price is thus 1/16d. per gallon. The total expenditure involved in the contract is over £67,000. Local authorities' arrangements in such matters are not subject to Government control but my right hon. Friend is making inquiries as to whether the placing of this contract will affect adversely the employment of British workers, and if so he will communicate with the Corporation on the subject.

Mr. Anstruther-Gray

Is there nothing that my hon. Friend can do, as the difference in price is so small, to impress upon the Socialist local authority the importance, when spending public money, of doing so in a way which will help British trade and British workers rather than foreigners?

Mr. Wedderburn

I think it is advisable to ascertain exactly how far this would adversely affect the employment of British workers and, after those inquiries, my right hon. Friend will be quite willing to make representations to the Corporation.

Mr. Mothers

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that, if this order had been placed with British firms, it would not have been supplied out of oil produced in this country but entirely out of imported oil, and that the position of British oil workers would not have been affected one iota?

Mr. Wedderburn

That is why I said my right hon. Friend is making inquiries as to whether the placing of this contract will affect adversely the employment of British workers.