HC Deb 22 May 1979 vol 967 cc76-7W
Mr. Gordon Wilson

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what action he will take to provide ample supplies of petrol and oil products in Scotland to prevent developing scarcities in supply in view of Scotland's anticipated oil production of 65 million tons in 1979.

Mr. Gray

Oil is in short supply internationally and seems likely to remain so. Oil supply shortages can have very damaging effects on the international economic order, from which the United Kingdom, as a major trading nation, could not be insulated, whatever the disposition of our domestic oil production. We seek, with others, an international solution to an iternational problem. We are, specifically, committed with other signatories of the international energy agreement, and in the European Economic Community, to the exercise of internal demand constraint. It is for all of us, whether in Scotland or elsewhere, to practise strict economy in the use of oil products.

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