§ Mr. DickensTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consideration he has given to introducing regulations compelling petrol forecourts to display their petrol prices in both gallons and litres; and what representations he has had concerning those presenting high prices per gallon displaying prices only in litres.
§ Mr. ForthFollowing consultation with interested parties, I laid an order in 1988 relaxing the requirements to display the price per gallon in addition to the price per litre. Under the recently adopted EC units of measurements directive, the United Kingdom will be required to phase out the use of the gallon for trade after 31 December 1994 at the latest. Although the gallon continues in the interim to be permitted to be used for trade, I understand that the overwhelming majority of garages already sell petrol by the litre. Accordingly, I do not consider it is now necessary to require petrol forecourts to display petrol prices in both gallons and litres. In the last year I have received four letters of complaint about this matter.