§ Mr. CAUTLEYasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether, as a consequence of the controlled price of fuel and gas oil, tank steamers are at present lying idle; and whether he will consider the desirability of reducing the price of oil with a view to the possible saving in the industrial use of coal of some 20,000,000 tons per annum; and (2)whether, in view of the deficiency in the supply of coal and the distress to be consequently anticipated in the ensuing winter, he will remove the restriction that now obtains on the sale of gas and fuel oils, as enforced by an excessive minimum price, and thus permit the sale and use of the existing stocks of such oils for industrial purposes with an equivalent release of coal for public necessities?
1002W
§ Sir A. GEDDESThe Orders fixing the wholesale prices of petroleum products ceased to have effect as from 7th May last, and there is now no minimum price applicable to the sale of fuel and gas oil.