§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he has made representations to the United States Government on the American crude oil entitlement system under which a subsidy of $5 a barrel available on heating oil is diverting products from the EEC to the United States of America; and what response he has received.
§ Mr. David HowellI supported the representations made to the United States Government by the Presidency on behalf of the Community. An explanation of the entitlement subsidy, which affects only a small proportion of the distillate fuel oil traded in the USA, has been given to the Community and the International Energy Agency. The United States Government have expressed regret about the lack of consultation with their partners and have promised better co-operation in future.