§ 54. Sir T. Beamishasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if, in order to curb those who waste fuel and cause traffic congestion, particularly in the South-East, to keep their tanks full, he will require garages to serve motorists with a minimum of four gallons of petrol during the present shortage.
§ Mr. Tom BoardmanThis could produce a number of practical difficulties. The petrol supply situation including London and the South-East has already shown an improvement during the past few days and is expected to improve still further after 12th December when fresh92W allocations to petrol retailers become effective. I would prefer, therefore, for the present to rely on the good sense of motorists not to fill their fuel tanks at every opportunity.
§ Mr. Michael Cocksasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will seek powers to require garages to display prominently on petrol pumps the amount of duty paid per gallon on each grade of petrol.
§ Mr. Tom BoardmanI have no plans to do so.
§ Mr. Prescottasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will introduce checks to discover the extent to which commercial companies which have allocations of petrol for their vehicles' use are seeking to conserve their supply by using alternative sources of fuel at private garages and aggravating the present situation for the private motorist; and if he will take steps to end this practice.
§ Mr. Tom BoardmanMy right hon. Friend issued a statement on 7th December—[Vol. 865, c. 1649–59]—concerning the oil allocation scheme arrangements for the further period to the end of January 1974. This should reassure commercial companies as to the use and replenishment of their own supplies.
§ Miss Quennellasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will allow extra petrol, in the event of rationing, for (a) local councillors serving widespread rural areas, (b) county councillors serving similar rural areas, and (c) justices of the peace in such areas where public transport is either inadequate or non-existent and the use of their own petrol ration the only alternative.
§ Mr. Tom BoardmanIt is intended that in such cases supplementary allowances could be applied for if the basic and business rations already issued were insufficient to cover essential needs.
§ Mr. Evelyn Kingasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if, in the light of the dependence of the Dorset hotel industry on advance bookings and tourist mobility and having regard to railway closure, he will make an advance announcement to the effect that there will 93W be a once-only holiday petrol allowance for peak season holidaymakers.
§ Mr. Tom BoardmanThe possible effects on the tourist industry in certain areas would be given full consideration if it became necessary to introduce petrol rationing.
§ Mr. Wintertonasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what evidence he now has of the extent to which fuel supplies are being withheld by the petrol companies in anticipation of a price increase.
§ Mr. Tom BoardmanI am satisfied that the oil companies are not withholding supplies of motor fuel to their customers in anticipation of a price increase.
§ Mr. Hugh Jenkinsasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what evidence he has of increases in the price of petrol.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerThere has been some evidence of higher prices at garages, but the Price Commission has warned them to observe the price code's provisions on gross percentage and net profit margins, and has stated that it will instantly examine any complaint of overcharging from the public.
§ Mr. Hugh Jenkinsasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage cut has been applied to supplies to petrol filling stations.
§ Mr. Tom BoardmanI would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to the hon. Member for Gateshead, East (Mr. Conlan) on 10th December 1973.