asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he will now state what steps he proposes to take to ensure that petrol supplies are made available to the public in rural areas and what measures will be taken to end the restrictive practices operating in the sale of petrol.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Petrol Supplies.
I am not aware of the existence at present of any difficulties connected with the distribution of petrol supplies in rural areas which would require special measures to ensure the availability of supplies.
I have had no evidence that the restrictive practices which exist in the petrol distribution business materially affect the availability of supplies. An advanced stage has been reached in the consideration of the matter of restrictive trade practices, but it has been found necessary to make further inquiries and E.C.A. have been asked to arrange that a senior officer of my Department will take part in a technical assistance project to study experience in dealing with restrictive practices in trade in the U.S.A.