HC Deb 20 May 1976 vol 911 c676W
Mr. Prescott

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will request the Government-appointed director of the British Petroleum Board to report to him the details of political payments made by British Petroleum abroad.

Mr. Joel Barnett

No. Any such payments would be a matter for the company, operating within the guidelines recently announced by the Chairman of BP.

Mr. Prescott

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what advice he has given to the Government-appointed directors on the British Petroleum Board to influence British Petroleum on seeing that the Government policy on minimum wages is applied to its South African employees and that necessary information is provided to Government Departments.

Mr. Joel Barnett

None. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade is in touch with BP, as with other companies which have South African affiliates. I understand that BP has recently sent to him a report on the progress made by BP's operating subsidiary in South Africa in meeting the Government's guidelines, which is being made available on request to the Press and interested concerns.