§ 75. Mr. Mossasked the Minister of Fuel and Power what he anticipates Britain's oil requirements will be over a future period of twelve months; what proportion of these requirements will be met; and from what sources.
§ Mr. Aubrey JonesOn a normal basis of consumption oil requirements in 1957 were expected to be about 29 million tons, excluding exports and bunkers. At present I am unable to estimate the likely deficiency or to say from what sources supplies will be obtained.
§ 81. Mr. du Cannasked the Minister of Fuel and Power what allowance will be made to driving schools in his proposed scheme of petrol rationing.
§ Mr. Aubrey JonesThe basic ration will be available for all driving school cars. In addition, regional petroleum officers will issue supplementary allowances on application.
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§ 83. Mr. du Cannasked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will take action, similar to that taken by the French Government on 12th November, to restrict the sale of high octane petrol, bearing in mind that this would result in substantial economies in the use of petroleum products.
§ Mr. Aubrey JonesThe oil companies have agreed to discontinue the sale of 100 octane grade petrol when existing stocks are exhausted.
§ 85. Mr. J. Taylorasked the Minister of Fuel and Power if, in view of the need to obtain the maximum production of fuel oil from home sources, he will consult with the Scottish shale oil industry to discover to what extent its present production of fuel oil can be immediately increased.
§ Mr. Aubrey JonesThe company informs me that the throughput of the industry is already at a maximum and could not be increased without large-scale reorganisation which would take several years to carry out.
§ 87. Mr. Beswickasked the Minister of Fuel and Power to what extent supplies of aviation fuel are affected by the present emergency; and if there will be a rationing system for civil or military aircraft.
§ Mr. Aubrey JonesStocks of aviation fuel are good. The R.A.F. and the Ministry of Supply are arranging to reduce consumption, but deliveries to civil airlines are not at present being cut.
§ 89. Mr. Mossasked the Minister of Fuel and Power what steps he will take to minimise British dependence upon the Middle East for supplies of oil.
§ Mr. Aubrey JonesBritish oil companies are developing sources of supply in many countries outside the Middle East, and they and other interests are actively searching for new sources in areas where oil has not yet been proved.
§ Mr. Lewisasked the Minister of Fuel and Power what is the additional cost of the oil supplies having to be shipped around the Cape of Good Hope instead of through the Suez Canal.
§ Mr. Aubrey JonesAlthough they cannot yet be accurately estimated the 15W additional freight costs of shipping oil around the Cape of Good Hope may be of the order of £2 a ton.
§ Dr. D. Johnsonasked the Minister of Fuel and Power what arrangements he is making for petrol supplies to be available to overseas visitors to this country, in particular those from dollar areas.
§ Mr. Aubrey JonesArrangements for providing overseas visitors with petrol coupons are now being considered and will be announced as soon as possible.