§ Mr. Ridleyasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will set out, for each of the major derivations of crude oil, the retail price in October 1973 to consumers ; and if he will further split these prices down into the amount which goes to United Kingdom taxation, to the oil companies, and to producer countries as royalties etc.
§ Mr. EmeryI have been asked to reply.
It is impossible to give an exact answer because there was no standard retail price for the major derivations of crude oil which vary quite widely according to the competitive situation and other circumstances For example, in the case of petrol supplied by the major oil companies 390W the retail price of the 4-star grade ranged from about 36.5 to 38.5 pence a gallon but in different circumstances there were various discounts. Comparable prices for DERV and for paraffin were about 36–39.5 and 15.18 pence a gallon respectively. The tax on petrol was 22.5 pence a gallon and on heavy oils was I penny a gallon.
The amounts paid to producer Governments in royalties and in other ways are a complex matter depending upon agreements between producer Governments and specific companies, and are outside my responsibilities.