PERSIAN OIL-FIELDS.

HC Deb 15 July 1914 vol 64 cc1930-1W

Mr. RUPERT GWYNNE

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state at what date it is estimated that the necessary works will be completed and a plentiful supply of oil obtainable for the Admiralty from the Persian oil-fields?

Mr. CHURCHILL

The hon. Member will see from paragraph 6, page 4, and paragraphs 27 to 39, pages 27 and 28 of Parliamentary Paper, Cd. 7419, that the Anglo-Persian Oil Company already has a large production of oil. Part of this is now being taken by the Admiralty. The supply contract which has now been entered into provides for gradual increases of supplies during the next three years, at the end of which period the further development is expected to be completed. The company will then be in a position, in addition to meeting contract obligations with other customers, to provide the average quantity expected to be required by the Admiralty, and also to make larger supplies if the Admiralty should decide to exercise the contract option of increasing the quantity.

Mr. RUPERT GWYNNE

also asked whether the War Office or the Government of India were consulted by the Admiralty before entering into the contract with the Anglo-Persian Oil Company?

Mr. CHURCHILL

Before the contract was entered into every aspect of this question received consideration at the hands of the Cabinet. In addition thereto, as I have already stated in reply to questions from the hon. Members for Central Bradford and East Mayo, correspondence prior to the contract took place with the India Office, and there were also conferences between officers of the Indian Government and Admiral Slade, who proceeded to Delhi specially for the purpose after leaving Persia.

Mr. RUPERT GWYNNE

next asked whether the contract for the pipe-line and other contracts in connection with the Anglo-Persan Oil Company have yet been given out and, if so, to whom; and, if not, will British firms be given a preference?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I have no information on this subject, and can only refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on the 17th June to the Noble Lord the Member for Dover.