HC Deb 07 December 1973 vol 865 cc506-8W
Mr. Whitehead

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he has taken to improve supplies of diesel oil to farmers in eastern Derbyshire.

Mr. Tom Boardman

My Department, with the collaboration of the oil industry, is arranging matters so that farmers generally should receive adequate supplies of diesel oil to meet their essential needs.

Mr. Whitehead

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is his estimate of the shortfall in diesel oil supplies to farmers in eastern Derbyshire at the most recent available date.

Mr. Tom Boardman

Information is not available concerning deliveries of diesel oil to the farming industry on a geographical basis.

Mr. Whitehead

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the organisations which will be classified as essential users of petrol in the event of rationing being introduced into Great Britain.

Mr. Emery

We have already announced priority business allocations. Applications for supplementary allowances would be dealt with on their merits.

Miss Fookes

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what arrangements he is proposing to make to enable surgeons on call to receive an extra allocation of petrol under the petrol rationing scheme.

Mr. Emery

If petrol rationing was introduced supplementary allocation would be available if necessary for surgeons as well as basic and business allowances and applications would be given priority consideration. Hospitals would be able to apply for supplementary allowances on behalf of surgeons who could not manage on their basic or business allowances.

Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he is satisfied that there is sufficient oil available to meet the immediate needs of the Humber fishing fleet; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Emery

The fishing industry is on the priority list and I have no reason to think that the steps which have been taken by my Department in conjunction with the oil industry to ensure the availability of adequate supplies of oil in the United Kingdom to meet the needs of the Humber fishing fleet will not be satisfactory.

Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with the Humberside fishing industry about the future supply of fuel oil for the Humberside fishing industry.

Mr. Emery

I have had no such discussions with the Humberside fishing industry but officials are keeping closely in touch with the industry about its future fuel requirements in the United Kingdom.

Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has received any reports from his Department of fishing vessels being delayed from sailing from the Humber because of the present oil shortage, and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Emery

I have received no reports of any such delays.

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