Lead-free petrol

Press, 7 December 1988, Page 22

Lead-free petrol

Sir, —I have used lead-free petrol since its inception and, until recently, have been satisfied with its performance. However, over the past couple of months, there has been a decided fall in its quality and I feel that the oil companies should be called to account for this. The price is the same, and we, the users, are being ripped off by the producers of this rubbishing fuel. Other users I have spoken to are having the same results with excessive pinking, overheating and loss of power. This will, doubtless, result in engine damage. We, the public, are urged to use lead-free fuel, in the interests of public health and, having complied, are now being taken for a ride. I look forward to an explanation. — Yours, etc., STEVE JORDAN. November 19, 1988.

[The Minister of Energy, Mr Butcher, replies: “I am very conscious of the vulnerability of motorists to quality variations in fuels, and have received a number of recommendations from the Ministry of Energy on appropriate measures to protect consumer interests. I recently presented the case for strictly enforced quality standards for unleaded and leaded petrol, and for diesel, to my Cabinet colleagues. I was glad to receive their support and these standards will be gazetted shortly. This is the first complaint I am aware of about the standard of unleaded petrol over the past few months, and I am not in a position to comment on the allegations made. The Government is not able to take consumer concerns

of this type into account if it is not made aware of them, as I am sure Mr Jordan will appreciate. However, I certainly recognise the problems that motorists could experience if sub-standard fuels do appear in the marketplace.”]