§ 46. Sir R. Grimstonasked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the work of Sir Matthew Slattery since his appointment last May as special adviser on the transport of Middle East oil, with particular reference to any recommendations made for the maintenance of oil supplies from the Middle East by routes other than the Suez Canal and existing pipe lines.
§ The Prime MinisterAs I said in my Answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Sunderland, South (Mr. P. Williams) on 31st October last, the task assigned to Sir Matthew Slattery was the continuing function of assisting me to concert and direct the activities of various Government agencies concerned with the transport of oil from the Middle East.
§ Sir R. GrimstonHas the attention of my right hon. Friend been drawn to the article in The Times today, headed "Suez Canal Back to Normal," and does not he think that that indicates a dangerous complacency, because at present there is absolutely no security at all against the interruption of our oil supplies either through the Canal or the pipelines? Can my right hon. Friend give an assurance that there will be no let-up on the measures to be taken to establish alternative routes of transportation?
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir. I think considerable progress has been made, and I am very grateful to Sir Matthew Slattery for the help he has given me.