HC Deb 18 December 2001 vol 377 cc262-3

11.3 pm

Mrs. Angela Browning (Tiverton and Honiton)

I wish to present two petitions. The first is to the House of Commons from the rural residents of the United Kingdom and it declares that rural petrol filling stations provide essential services for the motorists living in rural areas, and to rural communities as a whole; that such businesses are subject to predatory competition from large oil companies; and that such competition should not be allowed to deprive rural residents of the services provided by rural filling stations. The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to investigate the practices of large oil companies to take such action as is appropriate to prevent further large-scale and widespread closure of rural petrol forecourts, and to set minimum requirements for forecourt services. And the petitioners remain, etc.

To lie upon the Table.

Mrs. Browning

The second petition is to the House of Commons from the petrol retailers and motorists of the United Kingdom. It declares that major oil companies in the United Kingdom are alleged to set the prices of their own petrol and diesel products at selected forecourts with the aim of forcing competitors out of business; and that motorists should not have to pay more for their essential fuel purchases because of where they choose to live. The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to bring forward legislative proposals to control the powers of major United Kingdom oil companies to engage in predatory pricing. And the petitioners remain, etc.

To lie upon the Table.