HC Deb 28 January 1991 vol 184 cc420-1W
23. Mr. Roger King

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what was the increase in market share of the sale of unleaded petrol in 1989; and what was the increase in other EC countries.

Mr. Butcher

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what was the increase in market share of the sale of unleaded petrol in 1989; and what were the figures in other EC countries.

Mr. Moynihan

The market share of unleaded petrol increased rapidly in the United Kingdom during 1989—from 4 per cent. in January to 28 per cent. by December, an overall market share of 19 per cent. for that year. The United Kingdom share has subsequently increased to 38 per cent. in December last year.

The United Kingdom Petroleum Industry Association estimates that in 1989 the market share of unleaded petrol in other European Community countries was as follows: West Germany 59 per cent., Denmark 57 per cent., Netherlands 37 per cent., Luxembourg 21 per cent., Belgium 19 per cent., Eire 7 per cent., France and Italy 2 per cent., and Spain and Portugal 0.5 per cent.,

Sales of unleaded petrol in Greece were negligible.