§ Mr. Ovendenasked the Secretary of State for Energy if, in view of recent disruptions in deliveries, he will make a statement on the present supply position of heating oils.
§ Mr. BennThe abnormally cold weather over the past few weeks has led to exceptionally high demand for heating oils at a time of supply difficulties due to road conditions and the loss of supplies of crude oil from Iran.
Many consumers may have to accept less than their full requirements until world oil supply and demand are brought back into balance, but I should take a serious view of any evidence that companies that normally operate in the United Kingdom market were compounding the difficulties by diverting supplies which should properly come to the United Kingdom.