§ Mr. RammellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures have been taken to reduce the risk of disruption to the fuel supply in the event of further blockades [134328]
§ Mr. StrawI have been chairing a Fuel Task Force, which comprises Ministers and representatives of the devolved Administrations in Scotland and Wales, the oil industry, the police, the trade unions and others. Members of the Task Force signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 29 September. This establishes more robust systems to avoid disruption of fuel supplies. It commits signatories to establishing practical arrangements aimed at maintaining continuity of oil supply. In particular, it commits relevant signatories to establishing joint early warning systems and co-ordinated contingency plans; to joint emergency management systems; and to reducing the potential for intimidation of tanker drivers. Copies of the Memorandum of Understanding have been placed in the Library.
The Task Force is continuing to oversee work in support of the Memorandum. As this concerns planning to respond to any future disruption, it would not be appropriate to give further details of this work.
Additionally, preparations are being made to ensure that properly trained and qualified military drivers would be available if required to help distribute fuel to essential users. If called upon, this would be provided under the normal arrangements for providing military assistance to ensure essential supplies and services are maintained.
116WThe events of last month demonstrated the importance of oil supplies to our economy and to our society. The economy relies on just-in-time supply chains. It benefits from their efficiency, but is vulnerable to disruption. It is not possible to eliminate all risk to oil supplies. Our aim has been the practical one of reducing the risk to the minimum.