HC Deb 28 November 1961 vol 650 c21W
22. Sir C. Osborne

asked the President of the Board of Trade why he is prepared to grant Italian oil companies licences to import refined Soviet oil to this country; why he refuses to licence the direct importation of Soviet crude oil which could be refined in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

Sir K. Joseph

It is not our policy to allow additional imports of Soviet oil for the reasons given by my right hon. Friend's predecessor in reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Devon, North (Mr. Thorpe) on 8th June, and no licences are being issued to Italian companies for this purpose.