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4th July 1981, Page 3
4th July 1981
Page 3
Page 3, 4th July 1981 — Refined request
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

HAULIERS have called on the major oil companies to adopt a more favourable pricing policy towards them during the recession.

In a letter to The Times last Saturday, Road Haulage Association national chairman Ken Rogers pointed out that there has been a 37 per cent increase in the cost of fuel and lubricants over the last 18 months.

But he added: "The oil companies seem to be able to pass on their costs without reference to the profitability of their customers," and commented that they should "resist the temptation to take advantage of a vulnerable market such as the road haulage industry which cannot shoulder further burdens".

The initial response from the oil companies has been one of sympathy towards hauliers' plight, but little else.

A Texaco spokesman told CM that the 20p increase in tax contained in the last Budget (due to come down to 10p in August) represented a 38 per cent leap, whereas Texaco's actual increases in price over the last year have only been about half that.

He pointed out that the company's European refining and marketing business sustained record losses in the first quarter of this year, a view echoed by a Shell spokesman who said that company was losing as much as £3m a week at one point.

An Esso spokesman confirmed that the RHA has been in direct contact with the company, and promised to provide it with a detailed response shortly.

A BP spokesman said the company appreciated the financial burden which these increases placed on its customers, but said: "It would not be in either the long-term interests of the haulage or the oil industry for the oil companies to incur further financial losses by artificially holding down prices and subsidising customers."

Tags

Organisations: Road Haulage Association
People: Ken Rogers

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