§ 47. Mr. David Priceasked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the latest attitude of the Council of Ministers of the European Communities to the growing oil shortage in the West.
§ Mr. David HowellI refer my hon. Friend to the statement by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 26 June 1979 and my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Wolverhampton, South-West (Mr. Budgen) on 22 June 1979.
§ Miss Wrightasked the Secretary of State for Energy what steps he is taking to ensure oil supplies for those schools in the Birmingham area with oil-fired central heating.
§ Miss Richardsonasked the Secretary of State for Energy whether, in order to safeguard supplies of oil to schools with oil central heating and thereby prevent possible closures, he will have further talks with the oil companies with a view to earmarking adequate supplies of heating oil for schools.
§ Mr. GrayI have regular discussions with the oil industry about the oil supply situation. On present indications, United Kingdom supplies this winter will be adequate to meet demand provided we can achieve an overall saving of at least 5 per cent. I shall continue to keep a close watch on the position.
§ Sir John Edenasked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) if he will have dis- 204W cussions with the major oil companies with a view to insuring that key industries, such as the tourist industry, which contribute significantly to the balance of payments are not unduly damaged by the shortages of petrol;
(2) whether he has had discussions with the major oil companies about any system of priority for the supply of petrol; and if he will make a statement about the extent to which the needs of the tourist industry were taken into account.
§ Mr. GrayThe allocation systems which the oil companies are generally operating are based on supplies in the corresponding period of last year and therefore take account of seasonal increases in demand due to tourism or other factors.