HC Deb 19 July 1950 vol 477 cc2253-4
31. Mr. F. Maclean

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs his policy in regard to the supply of oil to China in the present circumstances.

Mr. Younger

Service Departments have found it necessary to take over stocks of oil from British controlled sources in the Far East (from which deliveries to China are made) for their own requirements in connection with the action being taken in support of the Security Council resolutions on Korea. In view of this the question of the supply of oil to China does not arise.

Mr. Maclean

Does that mean that no oil is reaching the Chinese Communist authorities?

Mr. Younger

It means that no oil from British controlled sources is now going to North China or Korea.

Mr. W. Fletcher

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the policy of the British oil companies has throughout been governed by that of the British Government and that since the Korean D-day no supplies have been going to North China? Is he aware that previously the supplies to South China were largely kerosene?

Mr. Younger

I think that is correct.

Major Beamish

Can the hon. Gentleman give an assurance that if increased supplies of oil become available the Government will allow no oil or oil products of any kind to go to Communist China?

Mr. Younger

I do not think that there are any probabilities of that. The supplies, in any case, were very small and are all required for our purposes.

Major Beamish

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there is a world glut of oil at the moment and that supplies may well become available? May we have the assurance for which I have asked?