§ 10. Mr. Ormeasked the Secretary of State for Energy what contingency plans the Government have for the supply of oil within the United Kingdom should the Gulf war escalate further.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerWe have plans to deal with any severe shortage of oil within the United Kingdom. In any disruption likely to arise from the present conflict, supplies of oil, including stocks, should be sufficient to meet our requirements.
§ Mr. OrmeIs the Secretary of State aware that, like the rest of the summit statements, that on Gulf oil supplies reflects utter complacency? Will the Secretary of State assure the House that the Government have made specific contingency plans for petrol supplies so that we shall not face the same worries as we faced in 1979? Has the right hon. Gentleman had discussions with the British National Oil Corporation about safeguarding our position?
§ Mr. WalkerI assure the right hon. Gentleman that careful steps have been taken in relation to any potential crisis. We are aware of the importance of taking steps internationally through the International Energy Agency. I have had talks with the IEA and visited Washington. The international arrangements will meet any crisis with which we are likely to be confronted.
§ Mr. David HowellDoes my right hon. Friend agree that much the best contingency plan for the nation is the emergency allocation system worked out by the International Energy Agency in 1980? Does he agree that the Government's support for that arrangement is much the best guarantee against an oil price explosion in the event of supplies from the Gulf being cut off?
§ Mr. WalkerI agree, but the arrangements need reviewing and updating, depending upon the situation. That has been done. It is in the interests of the whole world that crisis does not result in an enormous upturn in oil prices.