asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy if the octane content of petrol available through each oil company is the same as that of equivalent brands on sale by the same companies in the United Kingdom; and the price, net of tax, being charged by each company for each grade here and in the United Kingdom.
Written Answers. - Petrol Octane Content.
190.
Direct comparison between grades of petrol sold here and in the United Kingdom is not possible. In this country petrol is generally sold in three grades, namely, premium, medium and regular, whereas in the United Kingdom it is graded on a star basis from five star, that is, the top grade, downwards. In tests carried out by the Institute for Industrial Research and Standards it was found that the three grades of petrol sold here roughly correspond to the four, three and two star grades in the United Kingdom and that five star petrol is not sold in this country.
I set out hereunder particulars of the maximum retail price of petrol in this country, exclusive of all taxes. It is not possible to give comparable prices for the United Kingdom as it is understood that prices there vary widely for similar products.
Petrol Prices
|
Maximun Retail Price—excluding all taxes |
|||
|
Grade 1 |
Grade 2 |
Grade 3 |
|
|
p per |
p per |
p per |
|
|
gallon |
gallon |
gallon |
|
|
BP |
40.59 |
40.41 |
38.77 |
|
Burmah |
40.59 |
40.04 |
38.59 |
|
Esso |
40.23 |
39.68 |
38.41 |
|
Jet |
39.32 |
38.23 |
37.68 |
|
Shell |
40.23 |
39.68 |
38.41 |
|
Maxol |
|||
|
Texaco |
40.59 |
40.23 |
38.59 |