§ 8. Mr. Darlingasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will introduce regulations to require that oils and petrol shall be delivered to garages and filling stations through approved flow-meters, so as to ensure that garage proprietors and filling station operators get the exact quantities they pay for.
§ Mr. MaudlingI have no power at present to make such regulations. Proposals for dealing with liquid fuel and lubricants will be included in the Weights and Measures Bill which is in preparation.
§ Mr. DarlingI thank the President of the Board of Trade for the information that the new Weights and Measures Bill will cover this point. Can we rely on it that it will be covered in the Weights and Measures Bill when we get it? When are we likely to get the Bill?
§ Mr. MaudlingIt certainly will be covered when the Bill is produced, but on the timing of it I cannot add anything to what I said to the hon. Gentleman last week.
§ 11. Mr. Boydenasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has now decided to refer the distribution of petrol and lubricating oils to the Monopolies Commission for inquiry.
§ Mr. MaudlingAs I told the hon. Member for Sheffield, Hillsborough (Mr. Darling) on 23rd June, I am considering further references to the Commission, but I am not in a position to make a statement on what they will be.
§ Mr. BoydenIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is considerable discontent among small garage proprietors; that members of the public are probably being mulcted to provide the very large profits of the oil companies; and that we could very well allow a considerably greater amount of competition? Will he give this very urgent consideration?
§ Mr. MaudlingI certainly am aware that these views are expressed, and the fact that the hon. Member for Sheffield, Hillsborough (Mr. Darling) gave notice that he would raise this on the Adjournment will no doubt stimulate me to more rapid action.