§ Mr. DobsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy what was the national consumption of petrol in August and September 1990; and what were the equivalent figures in 1989.
§ Mr. WakehamI refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on Friday 19 October,Official Report, columns 964–65.
§ Mr. DobsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy what representations he has made since July 1990 to the oil companies about petrol prices.
§ Mr. WakehamI have encouraged United Kingdom oil companies to exercise restraint and not to increase prices any more than necessary. The companies have delayed price increases, and the Director General of Fair Trading found in his report of 28 September that restraint was being shown. The companies have made a number of decreases in pump prices over the last two weeks following decreases in the international market.