WESTM NSTER HAUL
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THERE WAS a point when it looked as if Parliament might overlook the oil crisis. Energy was barely mentioned during the debate on the Queen's Speech. But by the middle of last week, the subject had become a matter of political concern and a topic on the Cabinet's agenda.
Liberal leader David Steel was the first to raise the matter in the Commons, with an emergency question about the severe cuts in oil supplies. He was concerned about the threat to essential services and the dangers that reductions in consumption would be unevenly spread throughout the country. In the south of Scotland, the area of his constituency, he said the shortfall in diesel oil was as high as 20 to 25 per cent and that petrol was no longer being supplied to garages, except those owned by the oil companies.
David Howell, in his first Commons appearance as Energy Secretary, admitted his concern about difficulties in certain areas, but said his Department was in close touch with these problems and with the suppliers. The oil industry was taking steps to iron out difficulties as quickly as possible by making fair allocations to its customers.
But he warned MPs: "We are facing a tight world situation that will not go away. Cheap energy is a thing of the past and we will have to plan our lives and work accordingly. The adjustment cannot be painless, nor can we in the United Kingdom be insulated from it."
He said that the overall shortfall in supplies was one per cent or less, only fractionally less than the amount the country consumed in the corresponding period last year. Although this was no comfort to certain people in particular situations, it should be compared with the world output shortfall of about four per cent. "Against that background our position is not so unfavourable," he said.
Questioned about rationing, Mr Howell said there was no major shortags throughout the country. What wai needed were "calm and careful policies oi greater energy efficiency, demand rest. raint and conservation".
Robin Maxwell-Hyslop said his report! from Devon were that the quota on diese oil were being cut to 20 or 25 per cent les: than was being consumed last year.
It was left to the House of Lords t( have the last word before Parliamen adjourned for its spring recess. Ear Gowrie, an Energy Department spokes man, urged drivers to save oil and said i would be a pity if the Government wa: forced to invoke emergency powers.