§ Mr. Langasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the severe distribution problems affecting petrol supplies in rural areas of Scotland; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Alexander FletcherI understand that the major companies are supplying petrol to both rural and urban area outlets on the basis of between 90 per cent. and 100 per cent. of customers' usage in the corresponding period of 1978. Some smaller oil companies and independent distributors may, however, have to limit supplies more severely, and this could result in uneven distribution. The Government have asked the United Kingdom Petroleum Industry Association to increase its efforts to achieve a more even and effective distribution of fuel.