HC Deb 31 January 1972 vol 830 cc14-6W
Mr. Rose

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many petrol suppliers' sales exceed 10 million gallons per annum; and how many of these make more than 15 per cent. of their sales through their own stations, contrary to the recommendations of the Monopolies Commission.

Mr. Ridley

I am not able to give information of the kind requested.

Mr. Rose

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many petrol suppliers have kept their original undertaking not to increase their ownership of petrol stations if total petrol sales are 50 million gallons and 15 per cent. of these sales are through their own stations; and why this undertaking is no longer demanded.

Mr. Ridley

Petrol suppliers were released from this undertaking in 1968 by the previous administration. I would not wish to reimpose it because I believe a restriction on the acquisition of petrol stations by petrol companies would frustrate new entrants to the market.

Mr. Rose

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to ensure freedom of consumer choice in petrol brands, lubricants and accessories at petrol stations.

Mr. Ridley

I do not believe that consumers have any undue difficulty in obtaining the petrol of their choice. As regards lubricants and accessories, I would refer the hon. Member to my answer to his question of 18th October, 1971.—[Vol. 823, c.27.]

Mr. Rose

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will set up an inquiry into restrictive pressures upon tenants and licensees of petrol supplier-owned stations which result in the limitation of consumer choice of lubricants and accessories.

Mr. Ridley

The undertakings which the petrol companies gave following the Monopolies Commission report to end these restrictions are still in force. If the hon. Member has evidence that the undertakings are being broken, I am ready to investigate it.

Output per manshift Manpower Change (000) Pit Closures Coal Production (million tons) Fatal accidents Fatal accidents as percentage of work force
1947 21.85 +26.3 * 197.2 618 0.085
1948 22.56 -7.9 * 209.1 468 0.062
1949 23.70 -17.4 28 214.9 460 0.062
1950 24.45 -20.4 11 216.0 493 0.068
1951 24.77 +9.2 5 221.1 487 0.067
1952 24.46 +21.9 16 224.6 420 0.056
1953 24.86 -13.2 5 223.3 392 0.053
1954 24.89 -0.4 8 223.6 371 0.050
1955 24.72 -5.6 17 221.6 425 0.058
1956 24.84 +3.1 10 222.0 330 0.045
1957 24.86 +6.1 18 223.6 396 0.054
1958 25.58 -22.6 29 215.8 327 0.045
1959 26.93 -47.1 56 206.1 348 0.051
1960 28.03 -51.0 35 193.6 317 0.051
1961 28.94 -21.8 29 190.5 235 0.040
1962 31.20 -25.0 51 197.4 257 0.045
1963 32.96 -25.6 33 195.8 254 0.047
1964 34.35 -26.0 34 193.6 198 0.038
1965 35.90 -37.7 44 187.5 216 0.045
1966 36.35 -32.4 61 174.6 160 0.036
1967 38.18 -32.0 29 172.1 151 0.036
1968 41.73 -57.3 70 164.1 115 0.031
1969 43.45 -24.9 26 150.5 100 0.031
1970 44.10 -16.5 10 144.7 91 0.030
1971 43.94 -4.3 4 142.3 72 0.025
* Not available.

Mr. Alfred Morris

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consideration his Department is giving to the problems caused for disabled persons by the conversion of an increasing number of petrol stations to self-service; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Ridley

I understand that the great majority of self-service petrol stations have some staff in attendance able to give service to disabled persons