§ Mr. Langford-Holtasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that, before the sale of the Regent Oil Company to United States interests, its indebtedness to its parent companies was nearly £15 million, in addition to borrowings from banks and insurance companies; and, in view of the fact that this position was brought about by the necessity of competing with the major oil companies for tied garages as a means of survival, whether he will refer the whole question of tied garages to the Monopolies Commission as tending to create a monopoly in the oil industry.
§ Mr. ErrollMy right hon. Friend is considering the question of future references to the Monopolies Commission and will bear my hon. Friend's suggestion in mind.