§ 3. Mr. Silvesterasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if he is satisfied with the working of the Petrol Prices (Display) Order 1977.
§ Mr. MaclennanYes. Petrol prices are now being displayed much more clearly than before and most misleading signs have been removed. There is, of course, still room for improvement, in particular by ending the practice of showing only the price for full gallons when a much higher price is being charged for part gallons. I will be reviewing the order shortly.
§ Mr. SilvesterDoes the Undersecretary of State agree that there is still some confusion and, in particular, some misuse of the minuscule decimal point on some of these signs? This must be the only retail trade which uses the decimal point of a penny. Would the hon. Gentleman care to comment on that matter?
§ Mr. MaclennanYes. This is an undesirable, though not a major, issue which will be reviewed with the other more important issues.
§ Mr. Stan CrowtherIs my hon. Friend aware that, even though the order may be 951 working satisfactorily, if I have the misfortune to have to buy petrol on a motorway service area it costs about 16p a gallon more than the price at which I can buy it in my constituency? Does he feel that that kind of variation can be justified in any circumstances?
§ Mr. MaclennanIt was because the Government recognised the force of the point made by my hon. Friend that my right hon. Friend and the Secretary of State for Transport set up an inquiry into motorway services. It is hoped that the inquiry will report in a few months. The chairman of the inquiry is Mr. Peter Prior. The inquiry is moving rapidly, and I have no doubt that it will take account of the point made by my hon. Friend.