HC Deb 11 July 1949 vol 467 cc30-1
61. Mr. Cuthbert

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is now able to report when the arrangements now going on between our oil interests at Haifa and the various Governments concerned are likely to reach a satisfactory solution, thus relieving the petrol situation in this country by the opening of the Haifa oil refinery.

Mr. Mayhew

No, Sir. It is much to be hoped that an early solution to this problem can be found; and that is what my right hon. Friend is working for.

Mr. Cuthbert

Would the Minister inform the House if there is any truth in the information which I have received that the oil is not being allowed to go through the pipeline by a certain Government until they have received moneys from the oil companies, in other words, force majeure?

Mr. Mayhew

I am not aware of that; perhaps the hon. Gentleman would give me notice of it.

Mr. Warbey

Is this not a matter in which urgent action is required? Will my hon. Friend consider suspending all deliveries of arms to the Arab States concerned until they have stopped this damaging form of economic sabotage?

Dr. Segal

Should not advantage be taken of the presence in this country of distinguished guests from Iraq in order to accelerate a settlement in this matter?

Mr. Mayhew

As I have already said, we are in touch with the Iraqi Government on this subject.

Mr. H. D. Hughes

Will my hon. Friend tell the House what is the loss of oil supplies in this connection, and also the dollar loss?

Mr. Mayhew

It is serious, but I could not give the figures without notice.

Mr. Erroll

Is it the case that the Egyptian Government have said that they will not allow tankers through the Suez Canal to supply Haifa by sea?

Mr. Mayhew

I have nothing to add to what my right hon. Friend said on the subject last week.