§ Mr. Ness Edwardsasked the Secretary for Petroleum what rebates off the authorised prices are allowed by the combination 540W of commercial firms, known as the Petroleum Board, on Government purchases of motor spirit, aviation spirit and oils?
Mr. LloydI regret I am not able to depart from the established rule not to publish the terms on which the Government purchases goods from suppliers.
§ Mr. Edwardsasked the Secretary for Petroleum what was the rate of profit provided for on the capital employed in distribution of the products of the Petroleum Board, as an element of the price structure, when permission was given for the recent increase in the price of motor spirit?
Mr. LloydAs I informed the hon. Member on 12th May, discussions are at present in progress and I regret therefore that I am unable to publish the provisional allowances for profit. So soon as a permanent basis has been reached adjustment will be made in the provisional allowances, if necessary with retrospective effect.