§ Mr. Maclayasked the President of the Board of Trade what proportion of oil purchased by or for account of His Majest's Governbent in 1938 was carried in foreign bottoms?
1129W
§ Mr. StanleyThe desired information is not available from the records maintained in my Department. Inquiries have been made of the Service Departments concerned and I am informed that no oil fuel purchased by or for account of the Admiralty in 1938 was carried in foreign bottoms. As regards the War Office and the Air Ministry, purchases are normally made from contractors, who may deliver from storage tanks containing oil imported in ships of various nationalities, and it is consequently impracticable to furnish the desired information in respect of such purchases. In any contracts made for bulk purchases, both Departments stipulate that British tankers are to be used so far as possible.