§ 51. Mr. Dobbieasked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether his attention has been called to the reserves of oil being built up by the non-oil producing countries throughout the world; and whether, having regard to the increasing dependence of the industry and the national defence of this country upon oil, and the inability of commercial concerns to provide at their own expense the necessary tankage for adequate storage of reserves to meet a national emergency, he can state whether the Government intend to subsidise, guarantee, or provide the additional tankage necessary to ensure the provision for adequate reserves of oil to meet a national emergency?
§ Sir T. InskipThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Arrangements are being made for the storage of adequate reserves of oil.
§ Mr. ShinwellHas the attention of the right hon. Gentleman been called to reports by experts regarding the possible exhaustion of oil reserves, and in view of those reports will he inquire into the possibility of the further production of oil from coal at home?
§ Sir T. InskipI do not know whether the hon. Member refers to the exhaustion of reserves of oil at home.
§ Mr. ShinwellNo, the natural reserves.
§ Sir T. InskipI am not aware of what the hon. Member is referring to, but if he will call my attention to it I shall, of course, be glad to consider it.
§ Mr. DobbieWill the right hon. Gentleman give an answer to the second part of the question?
§ Sir T. InskipI have stated that arrangements are being made for the storage of adequate reserves of oil.