§ Mr. Barry FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received following the Health and Safety Executive's directive that petrol may be sold only in one or two gallon containers at filling stations and the withdrawal of the use of five gallon approved containers which are used by boat owners and inshore fishermen; and what effects he expects this will have on safety at sea.
§ Mr. ForthNone. No HSE directive has been issued restricting the sale of petrol to one or two gallon containers or prohibiting the use of 5 gallon containers.
Storage of petrol in 5 gallon containers is subject to the discretionary powers of Petroleum Licensing Authorities under the Petroleum (Consolidation) Act 1928, the Petroleum-Spirit (Motor Vehicles &c) Regulations 1929 and the Petroleum-Spirit (Plastic Containers) Regulations 1982. Licensing authorities would take into account the suitability of the containers themselves and the individual circumstances of the storage place.