§ Mrs. Ray MichieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many petrol filling stations closed in Scotland(a) in 1997 and (b) in the period 1 January to 30 June 1998. [68924]
§ Mr. MacdonaldInformation on petrol filling station closures is not held centrally. The study "Petrol Stations in Rural Scotland", however, found that during the last six months of the study five closures occurred between late summer and late winter 1997. The study also reported that the number of petrol retail outlets across the UK reached a peak in the 1960s, following which there has been a gradual and continuing decline.
§ Mrs. Ray MichieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he and his officials have held with the Director General of Fair Trading since 1 January 1998 on the issue of retail petrol supplies in rural areas of Scotland; and what was the outcome of those discussions. [68922]
§ Mr. MacdonaldOfficials at The Scottish Office have regular discussions with officials of the Office of Fair Trading, most recently about the allegations concerning Esso, about which I am writing to the OFT myself. The Office of Fair Trading has a duty to keep markets under review, with a view to identifying anti-competitive or monopolistic behaviour. I understand officials from the OFT are to meet representatives of Highlands and Islands Hydrocarbons Action Group in March, and will also shortly be meeting representatives of Esso.
§ Mrs. Ray MichieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many petrol filling stations in the Highlands and Islands enterprise area are supplied respectively by(a) Shell, (b) BP, (c) Esso and (d) other suppliers. [68921]
53W
§ Mr. MacdonaldInformation obtained in 1997 for the purposes of the study "Petrol Stations in Rural Scotland" showed that the number of petrol filling stations in the Highlands and Islands Enterprise Area supplied by Shell, BP, Esso and others is as follows:
Number Shell 33 BP 90 Esso 74 Other 61 Total 258 Note:
The information obtained related to local authority areas, and therefore includes all petrol stations in Argyll and Bute Council's area, some of which is outwith the area served by HIE.
Source:
Environmental Resources Management and Dr. R. Sidaway (1997) Petrol Stations in Rural Scotland. Commissioned by The Scottish Office Rural Affairs and Natural Heritage Division
From 1 July 1999, assistance to industry will be a matter covered by the Scottish Parliament, but competition and energy policy will continue to be reserved to Westminster.
§ Mrs. Ray MichieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the retail petrol market in the Highlands and Islands enterprise area; and if he will make a statement. [68923]
§ Mr. MacdonaldAny assessment of competition in the retail petrol market in the Highlands and Islands Enterprise area, or indeed elsewhere, is a matter for the Director General of Fair Trading, but The Scottish Office itself examined aspects of the retail petrol market in the studyPetrol Stations in Rural Scotland,published in July 1998. As a result, £400,000 a year over the next 3 years has been allocated to carrying out infrastructure work at remote petrol stations. This year, £240,000 of this support is going to the Highlands and Islands Enterprise area. I met with representatives of Esso myself on 3 February to discuss the present situation.
From 1 July 1999, assistance to industry will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament, but competition policy and the activities of the OFT will continue to be reserved to Westminster.