HC Deb 02 November 1973 vol 863 cc35-6W
Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how it is proposed to insulate the movement of oil from the United Kingdom to those States which are the subject of boycott by Arab States and at once comply with the pooling arrangements of the European Community and the OECD.

Mr. Tom Boardman

The question does not arise. The European Community has no pooling arrangements, nor has the OECD till the Council takes a decision to that end on the recommendation of the Oil Committee.

Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to what extent the movement of oil between the United Kingdom and its partners in the European Community will be affected following the announcement that the Arab States have decided to boycott the supplies of oil derived from the Arab States to a member of the European Community.

Mr. Tom Boardman

It is too early to say.

Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, compared with the total of 19.5 million barrels of oil flowing into international trade from Arab States prior to the outbreak of hostilities in the Middle East, what is the total quantity of Arab oil now entering the world market.

Mr. Tom Boardman

The quantity is calculated to be about 16 million barrels a day on the basis of the various cuts and embargoes announced and interruption of supplies from the East Mediterranean terminals.

Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the extent of the oil cuts announced or now being imposed—including cuts to boycotted States—by the following States: Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Libya, Iraq, Abu Dhabi, Oman and Nigeria.

Mr. Tom Boardman

The approximate figures, compared with expected levels of production to the end of November, are: Kuwait, 1,160,000 barrels per day; Saudi Arabia, 2,600,000 barrels per day; Libya, 200,000 barrels per day; Iraq, nil; Abu Dhabi, nil; Oman, negligible; Nigeria, nil.