§ Sir E. Graham-Littleasked the Minister of Fuel and Power to what extent petrol is being purchased direct from the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company in which His Majesty's Government has a controlling interest; whether payment is made in sterling or dollars; why His Majesty's Government cannot purchase their own products in a soft currency; and, whether he is satisfied that purchases are made from the Iraq Petroleum Company on terms favourable to this country, or to what extent the free flow of petrol is prevented by international arrangements.
§ Mr. GaitskellThe only direct purchases of petrol made by His Majesty's Government from the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company are those made by the Services. These are paid for in sterling. No petrol is purchased from the Iraq Petroleum Company as it disposes of its production as crude oil. I know of no international arrangement which is preventing the free flow of petrol.