§ 3. Lieut.-Colonel Liptonasked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will take steps by regulation to require petrol distributors to declare the octane value of branded petrol and make it an offence to sell such petrol below its declared octane value.
§ Mr. Geoffrey LloydNo, Sir. The quality of petrol depends on several factors besides octane rating. In this field competition is a better safeguard than regulation.
§ Lieut.-Colonel LiptonIs the Minister aware that the intelligent motoring public would rather have the simple straightforward information asked for in this Question than the extravagant ballyhoo which makes it very doubtful whether the extra 3d. or 4d. per gallon being asked for is really justified?
§ Mr. NabarroIs my right hon. Friend aware that the general public is indeed very well satisfied with the restoration of freedom in the sale of high octane spirit that he has given to the general motoring public?
§ Mr. LloydI think that as well as the octane rating there are qualities of volatility which affect ease of starting from cold, and also smoothness and flexibility in traffic, which do not depend on octane rating. It would merely be confusing to the public to identify the quality of petrol with this single though important characteristic. It is much better left to the intelligent motorist to decide.