§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Secretary of State for Energy if, inview of the fact that the Esso Petroleum Company has intimated to a number of rural garages in East Aberdeenshire and elsewhere in Scotland its intention to withdraw supplies of fuel to these garages at short notice, which will create problems to the inhabitants and the agriculture industry in rural areas where the present garage is the only local supplier, he will consult with the Esso Petroleum Company to implement its undertaking not to deny supplies to rural petrol stations where a local need and amenity can be proved.
§ Mr. GrayI understand that the Esso Petroleum Company regrets that, through a management error, it failed to implement fully the assurances it has given in respect of owner-operated garages, previously reported to the House on 29 October1979, in a limited number of cases in North-East Scotland. The company has now rectified the position and has told me that it is fully implementing the assurances previously given.