§ Mr. Leadbitterasked the Minister for Energy what oil stocks existed in the United Kingdom at the end of November 1973 ; how much oil was in ships destined for the United Kingdom ; at the average levels of monthly consumption what period of storage these stocks represented ; and how these figures compare with the end of December 1973.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinFor information on oil stocks over the month of December 1973 I would refer the hon. Member to the Press notice issued by the Department of Energy on 10th January 1974. copies of which are available in the Library of the House.
The quantity of oil in ships destined for the United Kingdom fluctuates month by month by as much as 20 per cent. above and below the average level. In view of these wide variations it would be misleading to quote estimates for comparison over a period as short as one month.