HC Deb 21 March 1955 vol 538 c1725
19. Mr. G. M. Thomson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what instructions were given to the United Kingdom representatives on the Coal Committee of the Economic Commission for Europe in connection with pressing for the publication of the report on the price of oil in Western Europe.

Lord John Hope

The decision to publish had the full support of Her Majesty's Government.

Mr. Thomson

Is the Minister aware that the attitude taken by the Government's representatives on this Committee was really a most ambiguous one? While welcoming the report, could not they also have deplored the fact shown in it that£300 million a year has been made in profit on Middle East oil? Is not the Minister in agreement that we ought to have positive effort from the Government to bring down the price of petrol in this country?

Lord John Hope

I would refer the hon. Member to the Adjournment debate on 18th March.