HC Deb 21 August 1940 vol 364 cc1280-1
11. Mr. Mander

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the closing of the Burma Road for the supply of war materials to China, it is proposed to cancel the sale of 1,000,000 barrels of oil to Japan made in April, 1940, by the British Government-controlled Anglo-Iranian Oil Company with the express approval of the British Government?

Mr. Butler

I have nothing further to add to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Minister of Petroleum on this subject on 23rd April.

Mr. Mander

Could anything be more grossly unfair than to supply Japan with oil to attack China at the same time as China is refused permission to receive supplies along the Burma Road?

Mr. Butler

His Majesty's Government on the date mentioned said that it was not their policy to interfere with the commercial activities of this country.

Mr. Stokes

To what extent are His Majesty's Government being influenced by vested interests in oil?

Mr. Noel-Baker

Is it not most desirable that the Government should avoid the charge of having, in effect, put an oil sanction upon a victim of aggression while continuing to supply the aggressor with most of his requirements?

Mr. Butler

I agree that there is force in the hon. Member's point, but the Government have always endeavoured to keep themselves free from such charges. I have referred to the original answer given by the Minister for Petroleum. The hon. Member will see from that answer that there is no other limit to this transaction.

Mr. McGovern

Is this policy supported by the Labour members of the Government?

Mr. Butler

All Government decisions are unanimous.

Mr. Noel-Baker

Will the right hon. Gentleman undertake to have this matter reconsidered, in view of the fact that it is not possible to lay down a principle like that enunciated in the reply referred to in April, and that the Government must consider the political and other bearings of commercial transactions in petroleum?

Mr. Butler

I am certainly willing to communicate the views expressed by the hon. Member to my hon. Friend the Minister for Petroleum.