§ Mr. Cleggasked the Secretary of State for Energy what representations he has received about the shortage of supplies of fuel oil for vehicles and for heating purposes in the North-West region of England; and if he will make a statement as to the present position.
§ Dr. John CunninghamA total of 26 complaints about shortages of gas/diesel oil has been received from the North-West. Many of these have now been resolved; but where supply was formerly dependent on purchases in the international market supplies remain difficult. This may be particularly so where distributors depend on the international spot market for substantial proportions of their supplies and are unwilling or unable to buy on that market at recent price levels. These difficulties should ease with the seasonal reduction in heating demand.