HC Deb 20 December 1973 vol 866 cc1599-600

Q2. Sir J. Langford-Holt asked the Prime Minister what are the duties of his special adviser on the transport of Middle East oil.

The Prime Minister

I have made no such appointment, Sir.

Sir J. Langford-Holt

Does my right hon. Friend agree that such an appointment was made about 15 years ago by Mr. Harold Macmillan, when we were in a similar position with regard to oil, and that we have since also had bodies such as emergency committees? Today, we find ourselves in a very similar position. Will my right hon. Friend indicate how we can make sure, within the shortest possible time, that we shall never again find ourselves in this position?

The Prime Minister

I recollect, like my hon. Friend, that Mr. Macmillan appointed an adviser on the transport of Middle East oil, and that, if I recollect correctly, was after the Suez Canal had been closed. The problem which we are facing today is of a different nature. The problem today is not the transport of oil; it is the limitation in the quantity of oil by certain Arab countries.

Mr. Harold Wilson

Will the Prime Minister now answer the question I put in the debate earlier this week, which his right hon. Friend did not answer. Does the Prime Minister regard the firm assurances from important oil-producing countries".—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 30th October 1973; Vol. 863, c. 38.] which he reported to the House as still valid and binding?

The Prime Minister

Certain Arab countries gave us those assurances, as I told the House. They are endeavouring to carry them out. As for quantities, as I have already told the House, we were working on the basis of the economy expanding at a 3½ per cent. rate of growth in 1974. The figures used by the Arab Governments are those of the current year and to that extent, therefore, it produces a problem. The countries to which I referred are trying to deal with the problem because by various means we have drawn it to their attention, but they obviously prefer the details not to be discussed in public.

Mr. Wilson

I do not want to press the right hon. Gentleman to say more on this than he wishes, hut he must be getting daily figures of loading from the Gulf. Will he say whether those daily figures bear out 100 per cent. the assurances he reported to the House on 30th October.

The Prime Minister

From the particular countries which gave us those assurances, that would be the case.