Fuel Consumption Drops 14.8%
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THE effect of the closure of the Suez Canal is clearly seen in figures for United Kingdom consumption of petroleum products in the first quarter of this year, which have been published by the Petroleum Information Bureau. Total consumption, at 5,565,800 tons, was 14.8 per cent, below that of the first quarter of 1956. This compares with an increase of almost 12 per cent. in the first quarter of 1956 over 1955.
Because of rationing, motor spirit suffered the greatest absolute, as well as proportional decline (29.7 per cent.). Of the total of 987.595 tons of motor spirit, deliveries of premium grades fell by 33.6 per cent., whilst those otstandard grades were down by 26 per cent. compared with the figures for JanuaryMarch, 1956.
The fall in commercial consumers' deliveries (32.8 per cent,) was greater than that in deliveries to dealers (28.3 per cent.), as fleet users tended to operate their oil-engined vehicles as intensively as possible, whilst the general trend to oilers 'continued. Deliveries of oil fuel decreased by only 7.9 per cent.