HC Deb 10 September 1941 vol 374 cc172-4
28. Mr. Horabin

asked the Minister of Economic Warfare whether he is prepared to refuse any facilities for further shipments of any kind of oil to French North Africa until existing stocks of all kinds of oils in that country are exhausted or reduced to negligible quantities?

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Economic Warfare (Mr. Dingle Foot)

As the House is aware, discussions have taken place between the United States Government and the French authorities with a view to facilitating shipments of urgently needed supplies, including oil, to French North Africa. Throughout these discussions the United States Government have kept His Majesty's Government informed. As in the case of all goods passing through our controls, it is the policy of His Majesty's Government to ensure that the quantities imported should not be sufficient to render possible the maintenance or accumulation of large stocks. This consideration is always borne in mind when reviewing the quantities of any commodity to be shipped to North Africa.

Mr. Mander

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether the engagements undertaken by the Vichy Government on this matter up to date have been carried out in every respect?

Mr. Foot

That, I think, is a separate Question, of which I should require notice. It does not arise out of this. But I would remind my hon. Friends that the distribution of those goods is subject to the surveillance of the United States, who are in a position to know whether the engagements are being carried out.

Mr. Noel-Baker

Has the Minister represented to the American Government that the stoppage of these oil supplies would be much the strongest guarantee against a Nazi occupation of Dakar or of any of the African ports?

29. Mr. Horabin

asked the Minister of Economic Warfare whether he can give information as to whether oil at French North African ports has been used to bunker French ships engaged in the North African trade and in trade with metropolitan France or French warships engaged in convoying such ships; and in what quantities during the months of June and July?

Mr. Foot

Yes, Sir. The supplies of bunker fuel oil in French North Africa are used not only for local trade but also for bunkering ships engaged in trade between Metropolitan France and North Africa, West Africa and beyond. My information is that during the months of June and July 23 vessels burning heavy fuel oil and five vessels burning diesel oil, engaged in other than local trade, bunkered in French North African ports and took on not less than 2,900 and 200 tons of bunkers respectively. In addition, units of the French Navy based in North Africa fuelled there and some of these ships are used for escorting French merchantmen. It is not, however, possible to say what quantity of oil is taken on board by warships employed in this particular way. The stocks of fuel oil in French North Africa have not been replenished since the Franco-German armistice.

Mr. Shinwell

Surely the Government do not agree with the provision of oil from any part of the world for the use of warships under the control of a Government with which we have no diplomatic relations, and surely the time has come when we should protest vigorously against the transport of oil in this way?

Mr. Foot

I think my hon. Friend is under a misapprehension. His Majesty's Government have never agreed to the transport of fuel oil to French North Africa.

Mr. Shinwell

Are we to understand that the United States Government persist in sending oil to French North Africa in spite of our protests?

Mr. Foot

No. This Question refers to fuel oil used by naval or merchant vessels. The cargo of oil which went through on the steamship "Scheherezade" did not include any fuel oil.

Mr. Mander

What is the object in granting any facilities to a Government which is bitterly hostile to this country?