HC Deb 19 February 1947 vol 433 c181W
Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is being done to develop the petroleum industry of Nigeria.

Mr. Creech Jones

There is no present production of petroleum in Nigeria but in 1938 the D'Arcy Exploration Company Limited and Shell Overseas Exploration Company Limited were granted jointly licences to prospect for petroleum in Nigeria. The working obligations of their licences were suspended during the war but have been revived at the corn panies' request as from 1st September, 1946, I understand that the companies are now engaged in prospecting.