§ Dr. Roger Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Energy what action he proposes to take to secure the supply of 583W paraffin (TVU) to rural communities in West Wales; what representations he has made to the oil companies which are threatening to discontinue supplies; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GrayDemand for tractor vapourising oil has been declining for many years as vehicles using the fuel fall out of use. The last company to produce TVO consulted closely with farming interests over its plans in 1975 and stopped producing TVO in June 1979. Monthly demand in the United Kingdom for TVO from remaining stocks had fallen to 11,900 litres by December 1979. In view of the small number of vehicles requiring this fuel which remain in service, it is the commercial judgment of the companies involved that continued production is not justified. In the case of premium paraffin, one oil company is withdrawing from the market, but its market share is small, and other companies operating in West Wales foresee no difficulty in meeting any additional demand which may arise.