§ 139. Mr. M. MacPhersonasked the Minister of Fuel and Power what is likely to be the effect of the strike in United States oil refineries on oil supplies in this 161W country; and what steps he is taking to meet the situation.
§ Mr. Joynson-HicksAs a result of the strike in the United States refineries, the U.S. Government has suspended all exports of aviation spirit. Since the rest of the world has been drawing a large part of its supplies from the U.S.A. this is obviously a very serious matter and Her Majesty's Government has accordingly had to restrict consumption of aviation spirit in this country, and in conjunction with the U.S Government has advised other countries to do the same. At the moment the U.S. Government has not felt it necessary to interfere with exports of any other petroleum products and, as the rest of the world is far less dependent on exports from the U.S.A. my right hon. Friend hopes that it will not be necessary to restrict consumption.