asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what steps he is taking to protect owner-occupiers of retail petrol filling stations from oppressive clauses in their agreements with wholesale suppliers.

My right hon. Friend has asked the Director General of Fair Trading to keep under review the revised undertakings by petrol suppliers which are intended, inter alia, to protect owner-occupiers' interests. Copies have been placed in the Library. The Monopolies and Mergers Commission is currently investigating certain aspects of petrol wholesaling, including discrimination in the terms of supply.