§ Mr. Jim Lesterasked the Secretary of State for Energy what are the comparable prices of derv in the United Kingdom, Italy, Denmark and the Netherlands in gallons.
§ Mr. GrayDerv is sold through retail channels, under contract between oil marketing companies and industrial and commercial consumers, and, in some countries, by independent wholesalers. The price can vary substantially from case to case. Estimates of derv retail prices in the four countries mentioned are given in my reply to my hon. Friend the hon. Member for Brigg and Scunthorpe (Mr. Brown), to which I refer the hon. Member—[Vol. 2, c. 15.]. It should, however, be borne in mind that in the United Kingdom over 80 per cent. of derv is sold under contract, and that these sales are at a substantially lower price than the retail price. Comparable estimates of the price of derv sold under contract in the four countries are not available for publication.