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Sir R. Ross
asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the increased cost that citizens of Northern Ireland have to pay for petrol compared with that for the rest of the United Kingdom; and, in view of the fact that Northern Ireland is nearer to the sources of supply than many parts of Great Britain, why is there not a uniform price for the United Kingdom as a whole.
Mr. Shinwell
The price of petrol in Northern Ireland is ½ d. per gallon more than in England, Wales and South Scotland, due to the low density of consumption, and the higher costs of distribution thereby incurred. This factor precludes a uniform price in the United Kingdom as a whole and necessitates a higher price in Northern Ireland, North Scotland and outlying districts than in the main consuming areas.