§ Mr. Skeetasked the Minister of Transport how many long-term agreements have been negotiated in the past 18 months between oil companies in the United Kingdom and the British Railways Board for the conveyance of petroleum products and/or feedstocks; what 128W is the average duration of the contracts; and what is the total quantity of products scheduled to be moved by the railways annually thereunder.
§ Mr. MarplesI am informed by the British Railways Board that six different oil companies have entered into long-term contracts with them for the bulk transport of oil by rail. Most of the contracts are for at least 10 years. The precise terms of the agreements are confidential to the parties concerned. I do not therefore feel justified in asking the Board to provide fuller information, or details of the expected volumes of traffic.