§ 17 and 18. Mr. M. MacPhersonasked the Minister of Fuel and Power (1) whether, in connection with current proceedings under the anti-trust laws in the United States of America, and in view of his letter addressed to the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company on 2nd October, he will now give directions to the company to produce all documents, and to give all information which may properly be requested, excepting only documents and information the production or giving of which would prejudice security;
(2) whether he will give full co-operation to the United States authorities in their inquiries into allegations of price-fixing and other practices on the part of the Anglo-Iranian and other oil companies.
§ 27. Mr. Chetwyndasked the Minister of Fuel and Power why he has ordered the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company not to give information to the oil cartel inquiry in Washington about their business outside the United States of America.
§ Mr. Geoffrey LloydAs a first step in an inquiry into alleged anti-trust activities by American and British oil companies, the United States Department of Justice has served on the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company, and on a number of other oil 1382 companies, subpoenas couched in the widest terms calling upon them to produce records and documents relating to the conduct of their business outside the United States.
Her Majesty's Government consider it contrary to international comity that British companies should be required, in answer to subpœnas couched in such wide terms, to produce documents which are not only not in the United States, but which do not even relate to business in that country; and they further consider that the disclosure of some of these documents might well prejudice or endanger the economic, strategic or political interests of Her Majesty's Government and of the Western Powers.
For these reasons, the companies were required not to produce documents not in or relating to business in the United States, or give information not relating to such business, without the authority of Her Majesty's Government.
As hon. Members will see, security considerations are not the only ones which the Government feel it necessary to take into account, and in present circumstances I cannot make any further statement about the production of documents or the release of information.
§ Mr. MacPhersonIf the right hon. Gentleman considers that the proceedings now being taken involve action which is contrary to international comity will he suggest some other way of investigating this question—which is, after all, an international one—in such a way that it would not be contrary to international comity? Failing that, would he undertake to investigate those aspects of the question which have a direct bearing on this country and the companies connected with this country?
§ Mr. LloydWith regard to acts arising in this country, the normal view over here would, I think, be that they should be investigated under the British law: but I would not like to trespass further this afternoon into matters of international law, more particularly as these matters are, in effect, sub judice.
§ Mr. ChetwyndHas the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company made an approach to the Government asking for authority to produce these documents? In view of the very wide issues involved, would the right 1383 hon. Gentleman consider making a direct approach to the United States Administration on the whole of this matter?
§ Mr. StokesWhile being myself in complete sympathy with what I believe to be the object of the American authorities, namely, to investigate a world-wide monopoly, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman to make quite sure that in any concession he agrees to he will not give in on any principle which, at a subsequent date, would prevent us from controlling the price of our own oil, which, today, is controlled, so that we may be able to sell our oil cheaply in world markets?
§ Mr. LloydI appreciate what the right hon. Gentleman has in mind, but I would not like to go further today, except to say that the price of oil in this country, as we shall see from some subsequent Questions, is a matter of the authority of this House.
§ Sir J. CrowderDoes not this question raise the much wider question whether American courts should have jurisdiction over British companies?
§ Mr. BeswickIs it not the best answer for the Minister to refer the activities of these oil companies, which are British-owned, to the Monopolies Commission here? Has he considered that course?