§ Mr. Edward Lyonsasked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he will introduce a system of private allocation for heating oil in the light of the present limitation of supplies.
§ Dr. John CunninghamThe Government are watching the situation closely, and we are aware that oil companies and distributors are at present operating individual allocation schemes for heating oil and other products. The underlying national crude oil supply position, while it is tight, is not so severe as to make a statutory scheme necessary, provided the oil industry can avoid major inequities in distribution.
Mr. EdwardLyons asked the Secretary of State for Energy what steps he is taking to ensure heating oil supplies to
£million 1973–74 1974–75 1975–76 1976–77 GAS INDUSTRY Actual 33.4 41.5 23.6 7.9 Converted to estimated average 1978–79 prices 69.9 73.6 33.6 9.8 ELECTRICITY INDUSTRY Actual 92.3 176.3 302.6 15.1 Converted to estimated average 1978–79 prices 193.1 312.8 430.6 18.6 It is impossible to attribute these amounts to the various classes of customers. No such compensation has been paid to the coal industry.