§ 40. Mr. Nabarroasked the Paymaster General what diminution of normal oil supplies to the United Kingdom has resulted in tons and per centum since the onset of the Suez crisis; and how much of it has been made good from dollar sources.
§ Mr. MaudlingAbout 4½ million tons, or 40 per cent., in the three months, November-January. Of this, nearly 1 million tons has been made good from the dollar area.
§ Mr. NabarroCan my right hon. Friend say whether the diminution in normal oil supplies to the United Kingdom has been made good by economies brought about as a result of his rationing scheme, and if that be the case—and it appears to be the case—can he say how soon he expects to end petrol and oil rationing?
§ Mr. MaudlingIt is difficult to see exactly the economies flowing from the rationing scheme because people have been consuming a great deal less than the value of the coupons they have received, and no doubt a number of people have been drawing on stocks. So far as future 12 prospects are concerned, there is another Question on the Order Paper later today.
§ 41. Mr. Nabarroasked the Paymaaster-General to what extent United States oil supplies have increased during the last eight weeks; whether payment is entirely in dollars; and what further arrangements he has now made for future United States oil supplies excluding considerations of supplies from Venezuela.
§ Mr. MaudlingMy latest information relates to the month of January, when imports of oil from the United States totalled 471,000 tons, and I believe that when the February figures become available they will show an increase. Oil purchased from the United States is normally paid for in dollars. I cannot predict what quantities will be imported from this source in future months, but the oil companies are continuing to make purchases for delivery in their world markets including the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. SnowBut when the Minister says his information is only good for January, in an emergency such as this should not his information be more up to date? Should it not be on a week-to-week basis in order to watch this matter carefully?
§ Mr. MaudlingWe are still in the first week of March.
§ 46. Mr. Hunterasked the Paymaster-General whether he will give an approximate date when petrol rationing will end; and if he will make a further statement on the oil position.
§ Mr. MaudlingI have nothing to add to the statement I made on 20th February.
§ Mr. HunterIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the lack of knowledge about when petrol rationing will end is causing great concern in industry and commerce? Will he make a statement as soon as possible?
§ Mr. MaudlingI am sure that this matter is causing great concern. My noble Friend would like to make a statement as soon as possible, but many of the factors in the equation are not within the control of Her Majesty's Government.
§ Mr. ChetwyndAs most of the public think there is plenty of petrol about, will the right hon. Gentleman publish the relevant facts and figures?
§ Mr. MaudlingThe problem for politicians is to be aware of what most of the public are thinking.
§ Mr. NealWill it be possible to end the limitation on the consumption of oil before ending petrol rationing?
§ Mr. MaudlingNo, Sir. I cannot make any definite statement on that. In the case of fuel oil, it is very important to bear in mind the need to build up stocks again for next winter.