HC Deb 29 April 1948 vol 450 c588
30. Mr. Gammans

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if any oil is now being refined at Haifa; and how many tons he expects will be refined there for the remainder of this year.

Mr. Gaitskell

As stated by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on 21st April, in reply to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Swindon (Mr. T. Reid), the Haifa refinery ceased work on 12th April. In present circumstances it is impossible to estimate what the output will be for the rest of this year.

Mr. Gammans

Is the right hon. Gentleman making his plans on the assumption that this oil refinery is being abandoned, and if so, what will be the effect on the general overall supply of oil to this country and other countries which were formerly dependent upon the Haifa Refinery?

Mr. Gaitskell

Naturally, the plans both of the British and foreign companies concerned have had to be adjusted to meet the new situation which has developed. I am not in a position to add anything further at the moment on the point about the precise effect of the closing of the refinery.

Mr. Gammans

Is the right hon. Gentleman assuming that this refinery is to be abandoned, and that no oil will come from it for the rest of this year?

Mr. Gaitskell

I have answered that question. I have said that the oil companies have had to adjust their plans to meet the new situation.

Mr. Vernon Bartlett

What steps have been taken to protect this oil refinery, because quite clearly the company cannot do it?

Mr. Gaitskell

That is hardly a question to be addressed to me.