HC Deb 11 February 1980 vol 978 cc447-8W
Dr. Roger Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for Employment, in view of over the last three years for which figures are available has been devoted to debating the Vote on Account, Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates.

Mr. St. John-Stevas

Time spent on Supply Days on the named categories of business, together with time spent on the related Consolidated Fund Bills, formed the following percentage of time taken by debates over the past three Sessions:

per cent.
1977–78 1.97
1977–78 5.09
1979–80 (up to 7 February) 3.64

Mr. McKelvey

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what has been the number of hours devoted to all debates in the Chamber of the House of Commons for the last three years.

Mr. St. John-Stevas

closures of petrol retail outlets in rural areas of Wales, if he will consider seeking to relax the law by which individual farmers and others are allowed to keep only a limited quantity of petrol fuel on their properties.

Mr. Mayhew

No. Farmers and others who wish to keep larger quantities of petrol than are permitted under the conditions of the Petroleum Spirit (Motor Vehicles etc.) Regulations 1929 may do so providing they obtain from the local authority the issue of a licence under the Petroleum (Consolidation) Act 1928.