§ 15. Mr. Canavanasked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he is satisfied with present levels of fuel supply; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GrayOverall, I am satisfied that the present levels of fuel supply, if uninterrupted, are sufficient to meet current demands and those for the forseeable future.
§ 20. Mr. Chapmanasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he is satisfied with the distribution of petrol supplies throughout the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GrayI am generally satisfied with the distribution of petrol supplies within the United Kingdom. I have 577W informed the House of the steps my Department has taken to safeguard supplies to small garages, particularly in rural areas.
§ 21. Mr. Rentonasked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he is satisfied with the availability of oil and paraffin to the United Kingdom market throughout 1980.
§ Mr. GrayUnited Kingdom stocks of crude oil and oil products are currently at high levels, and supplies of oil products including paraffin should be adequate provided that there is no interruption in world oil supplies.
§ 30. Mr. David Priceasked the Secretary of State for Energy what will be the effects of the recently agreed increase in the world prices for crude oil by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries upon oil prices and supplies in the United Kingdom; and what measures he proposes to mitigate those effects.
§ Mr. GrayThe OPEC countries failed at Caracas to reach agreement on a unified price structure. The increases in United Kingdom oil product prices announced at the turn of the year do not reflect the full extent of the latest round of increases in crude oil prices on world oil markets, but supplies should be adequate provided there is no further disruption in world supplies. The House is already aware of the Government's provision for the really vulnerable of about £50 benefit to help with fuel costs.