§ Mr. Nicholas Wintertonasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement about the shortage of fuel at filling stations in rural areas in many cases causing closure.
§ Mr. David HowellRural areas have felt the shortage of petrol more than other areas because they have fewer filling stations. The shortfall in petrol supplies has meant that some filling stations have been closed at times when they might previously have been open. I am confident that the oil companies are conscious of the needs of rural areas and will seek to keep them supplied on an equitable basis. Decisions about when to open to distribute the available supplies are best made by those who know their local market.
§ Mr. Nicholas Wintertonasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement about the shortage of fuel on motorway service areas.
§ Mr. David HowellDeliveries to filling stations are rather less frequent than usual and there have been some difficulties. Operators of motorway service areas have a responsibility, like others, to seek to pace their supplies to the market to avoid running dry at the end of their allocation period.