§ Mr. Norman Atkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will introduce guaranteed supplies on a priority basis in regard to the supply of fuel oil for essential work and services and domestic district heating schemes in view of the recent interruption of deliveries by leading oil companies particularly to hospitals and blocks of flats.
§ Mr. GrayThe overall shortfall in oil supplies is relatively small. Rationing, or a Government-directed priority scheme, would not therefore be justified at present. It would be an expensive way of allocating supplies and would lack the flexibility to respond to genuine needs. In my discussions with the oil industry, I have stressed the need to maintain fuel supplies to essential services and to meet particular difficulties as a matter of urgency where customers are threatened with real hardship.