Petrol Prices

Sir,

May I reply to the letter on petrol prices? It should be pointed out that the Budget increase was 2.3d. a gallon and not 2d. As stated. National Benzole recommended that stations selling its motor spirit increase the price to the motorist by 2¼d. a gallon, and it should be stressed that this was only a recommended price.

It is our practice to inform retailers by letter of any price changes and as the halfpenny is still legal tender there is no question of my company suggesting by any means that ¼d. be ignored in our recommended price structure.

London, W.C.2. Mark Mothio,
Director and General Manager,
National Benzoic Company Ltd.

[We find increases of 0.3d. and ¼d, very confusing, the latter coin having been called in anyway. The ½d. is now due to be called in, so very soon there will be further letters to retailers and more confusion. Meanwhile, we do not see in Mr. Mothio’s letter a reply to our correspondent, who said he was charged 2½d. a gallon extra by a local garage, this presumably being as close as they could get to 2¼d. with the ¼d. out of circulation, and without losing money themselves.—Ed.]