§ Dr. Roger Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Energy what action he has taken, or intends to take, in view of the refusal by the large petroleum companies to supply distributions points other than those which handle an annual throughput of 100,000 gallons, which will result in large rural areas being denied local suppliers, thus adding substantially to fuel and other costs.
§ Mr. GrayAs I informed the House on 29 October 1979, the oil companies involved have given the Government assurances which provide for the maintenance of supplies to those areas where closure of an outlet would result in social hardship. Many independent outlets have in practice been able to secure alternative sources of supply.