§ Mr. Norman Atkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Energy by how much the major oil companies have diverted or re-exported both crude oil and refined product away from Great Britain since he 723W started monitoring in mid-February; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BennExports and re-exports of crude oil and products are a regular feature of United Kingdom international trade in oil, and I have no evidence that they have recently been at abnormal levels. My main concern is to ensure that the levels of exports of crude oil and products, when set against the corresponding imports and the level of United Kingdom continental shelf oil production, leave the United Kingdom with its proper and fair share of available oil supplies. To this end, I set up the special monitoring procedures referred to in the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Bedford (Mr. Skeet) on 8 March which are designed to detect any unfavourable changes in the pattern of United Kingdom international trade in oil. No such unfavourable changes have emerged to date. In addition, I have sought assurances from the chairmen of all the main oil companies operating in the United Kingdom that they would not direct supplies from the United Kingdom to the spot market.