HC Deb 07 April 1955 vol 539 cc1322-3
49. Mr. Swingler:

asked the President of the Board of Trade what quantities and values of oil and oil products have been imported from Roumania annually since 1945; and what quantities and values are being offered by the Roumanian trade delegation now in this country.

The President of the Board of Trade (Mr. Peter Thorneycroft)

As the answer to the first part of the Question consists of a table of figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT. As to the second part of the Question, it would be improper for me to disclose information about trade negotiations while they are in progress.

Mr. Swingler

Whilst thanking the President of the Board of Trade for answering the Question, may I ask him whether it is not well known that the Roumanians have been in recent years and are now exporting oil and oil products to some other countries, and whether they would not be valuable additions to our resources if we could import some oil and oil products from Roumania? Might they not have some bearing on the cost of oil and petrol in this country? May we hope that in the trade negotiations, which everybody will welcome, the right hon. Gentleman will be able to secure some of these valuable goods?

Mr. Thorneycroft

These and other matters, including compensation payments, are matters of discussion with the Roumanians at the present time.

Following are the figures:

IMPORTS OF OIL AND OIL PRODUCTS FROM ROUMANIA
Year Refined Petroleum Waxes Pitch Total Value £
Th. Galls. £ Cwt. £ Tons £
1945 … … — — — — 288 16,483 16,483
1946 … … — — — — — — —
1947 … … 3,472 123,619 — — — — 123,619
1948 … … 27,994 1,092,743 — — 388 28,470 1,121,213
1949 … … — — — — — — —
1950 … … — — 9,567 28,007 — — 28,007
1951 … … 5,617 203,255 — — — — 203,255
1952 … … 81 2,683 — — — — 2,683
1953 … … — — — — — — —
1954 … … — — — — — — —