HC Deb 09 October 1945 vol 414 cc9-10
12. Captain Gammans

asked the Minis- of Fuel and Power if His Majesty's Government was consulted by the Emperor of Abyssinia before an exclusive oil monopoly was granted by him to an American company..

2 1. Sir Waldron Smithers

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if His Majesty's Government were consulted before the Abyssinian oil concession was sold to an American syndicate.

11. Mr. A. Edwards

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he has any statement to make with regard to the recent agreement for the exploitation of oil resources between the United States of America and Ethiopia.

Mr. Shinwell

I have no detailed information regarding the agreement referred to, which, according to Press reports, is not between the Governments of the U.S.A. and Ethiopia, but between the Government of Ethiopia and an American Oil Company. His Majesty's Government were not consulted in this matter.