asked the Minister of Fuel and Power (1) the amount of petrol produced in this country during 1945 and 1946; and the estimated production in 1947 and 1948 respectively;

(2) the petrol production at Heysham and Billingham I.C.I. in 1945 and 1946; and the estimated production in 1947 and 1948, respectively.

As the answer involves a number of figures, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

It is not yet possible to give a firm estimate of 1948 production since, as I have already told the House, proposals for adapting part of the Heysham refinery for the production of motor spirit from imported crude oil are under examination. A decision on this is expected in the near future. The production programme at Billingham is also under review by the I.C.I. I am hoping for a substantial increase on the 1947 production.

Following is the answer:

The above figures include the following production from Heysham and Billingham.