Mr. ArthurLewis asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, in view of the fact that many retirement pensioners and others on limited incomes use paraffin heating oil stoves and that the cost of the oil is becoming prohibitive, whether he will take action to ensure that these poorer sections of the population are able to obtain such oil at lower prices.
§ Mr. GrayI have been asked to reply.
I share the hon. Member's concern about the need to maintain supplies of premium paraffin to retirement pensioners and others on limited incomes. With this objective in mind, I am considering the effect of current retail price controls over paraffin on the willingness of suppliers to continue in business. In view of the increase in crude oil costs this year, I 735W believe that paraffin prices will need to increase if continuation of supplies is to be assured.