HC Deb 09 November 2000 vol 356 c330W
Mr. Jenkin

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures he is providing to ensure continuing availability of road fuels in the event of disrupted supplies. [137529]

Mrs. Liddell

My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary announced on 29 September that members of the Fuel Supply Task Force had signed a Memorandum of Understanding to put in place more robust systems to avoid disruption of fuel supplies. He further told the House on 2 November that the Task Force was putting in place measures aimed at ensuring, in the event of future disruption, the delivery of fuel to petrol stations, with priority for essential users; better preparation for disruption by local authorities and other essential users; the protection of food depots and other potential targets and the keeping open of major roads.

The Task Force continues to meet to discuss whether further measures need to be taken to ensure that the disruption caused by the recent protests is not repeated.