HC Deb 03 May 1974 vol 872 cc303-5W
Mr. Wigley

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will investigate why petrol tankers have been turned away from the petrol depot at Caernarvon because of lack of capacity at a time of impending petrol shortage at local garages; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Varley

I have received no information that any petrol depot in the Caernarvon area has turned away road tankers. If the hon. Member would care to let me have details of the particular depot he has in mind, I will make inquiries and write to him on the matter.

Mr. Wigley

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what was the estimated petrol consumption in Wales by month during 1973; and what is the availability on the current allocation basis for the months of April, May and June.

Mr. Varley

Details of estimates of deliveries of motor spirit to dealers and commercial consumers in Wales for November and December 1973 are not yet available. Information for the earlier months of the year is as follows:

Tons
January 66,715
February 64,252
March 75,808
April 80,476
May 82,209
June 84,742
July 91,346
August 101,431
September 81,429
October 81,554

I have no reason to think that there will not be sufficient petrol available to meet allocations for April. The levels of allocation for May and June have not yet been determined.

Mr. Wigley

asked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what is the current basis of allocation of petrol to garages; and for how long the current formula is scheduled to continue;

(2) if he will take immediate steps to review the basis of allocation of petrol in the tourist-dependent areas of Wales in order to ensure that there is an increase of 30 per cent. in allocation, which is estimated to be necessary to meet forecast demand for April;

(3) whether he is satisfied that enough petrol will be made available to the petrol stations of Wales to ensure that the tourist industry is not affected by shortage in certain parts of Wales.

Mr. Varley

Oil companies have been directed to restrict the delivery of petrol to garages in April to 29 per cent. of the combined deliveries made in April, May and June 1973. This is effectively equivalent to 90 per cent. of deliveries in April last year. The formula runs for the current month only. Subsequent arrangements are under consideration.

The fact that deliveries are related to the corresponding period of last year means that seasonal increases in demand in tourist areas will automatically be reflected in higher allocations to garages in those areas.