§ Mr. David Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection whether he has completed his review of the Petrol Prices (Display) Order 1977; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. MaclennanYes. I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Lichfield and Tamworth (Mr. Grocott) on 17th July. Subsequently, following consultations with the trade and other interested parties, a revised order, the Petrol Prices (Display) Order 1978, was laid before the House on 27th September. The order came into operation on 18th October, and comes fully into effect on 20th December. The main changes are:
- (a) Where part gallons are charged at a higher rate than full gallons, any price indication must include a statement of the excess of the higher rate; on roadside displays this must be in lettering at least 120 mm high. Other lettering on roadside displays, for example, grade indication, conditions of sale, must be at least 80 mm high.
- (b) Where decimal fractions are used in a price indication they must, in addition to being at least half the height of the figures representing whole numbers, satisfy additional requirements as to their style, boldness and colour, and all figures in an indication of price must be shown on a background of the same colour.
- (c) Where an additional benefit is offered at some but not all of the pumps on a forecourt, and a higher price is charged at those pumps, they must carry a statement that the price includes that benefit and is higher than the price charged at the pumps at which the benefit is not available.
We believe that these changes will, by eliminating the few remaining abuses, help to ensure that motorists know precisely how much they have to pay for petrol and on what conditions.