§ 48. Major Hugh Fraserasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether oil piped in the Russian zone in Austria is subject to control and distribution by a joint Allied authority as is coal mined in the British zone; and whether British and Russian procedure on these matters will be brought into line.
§ Mr. R. J. Taylor (Lord of the Treasury)I have been asked to reply. Hitherto, the disposal of all commodities produced in Austria has been a matter for the Zone Commanders. That applied to coal as well as to oil. Negotiations, however, are now in progress on the Allied Council in Vienna with a view to ensuring that the economic resources of the country will be used by the Austrian Government for the benefit of Austria as a whole.
§ Major FraserIs the hon. Gentleman aware that at the moment none of the oil which is being piped in Austria is being controlled by any international authority whatever, but only by the Russians, and will that situation be remedied?
§ Mr. TaylorI will draw my hon. Friend's attention to that question.