asked the Secretary of State for Energy if it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to negotiate additional supplies of gas diesel oil for the United Kingdom users, particularly in rural areas where supplies are being consistently threatened by United Kingdom major oil companies.

No. The proportion of small garages retailing DERV is low, and so DERV outlets are likely to be relatively unaffected by the termination of supply agreements between the major oil companies and small garages; furthermore, 83 per cent. of DERV supplies are delivered direct to commercial users. Gas oil for non-road use is not marketed through garages. The current levels of supply of both products are adequate to meet demand in full.