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Government pledge on fuel stocks Government pledge on fuel stocks
(20 minutes later)
First Minister Alex Salmond has said there was an "ample and substantial" stock of fuel to cope with the planned strike at Scotland's only oil refinery.First Minister Alex Salmond has said there was an "ample and substantial" stock of fuel to cope with the planned strike at Scotland's only oil refinery.
Workers at Grangemouth will walk out on Sunday, after talks between union officials and bosses broke down.Workers at Grangemouth will walk out on Sunday, after talks between union officials and bosses broke down.
Mr Salmond told MSPs fuel would last "well into May" and more could be imported if needed. Mr Salmond told MSPs that fuel would last "well into May" and more could be imported if needed.
The first minister urged members of the public not to panic buy, but asked them to cut non-essential trips.The first minister urged members of the public not to panic buy, but asked them to cut non-essential trips.
"Assuming consumer behaviour is responsible, then there should be limited difficulties, both in terms of inconvenience and disruption," he told the Scottish Parliament during question time. Meanwhile, UK Business Secretary John Hutton told the Commons there was no need at present to take further steps under emergency powers to ensure supplies.
Scotland can cope with this difficulty Alex SalmondFirst Minister of Scotland
He added that the industry was confident any localised shortages would be re-supplied quickly.
The two-day strike was voted for in protest at plans by Grangemouth operator Ineos to make changes to its pension scheme.
Ineos and the Unite union held two days of talks at conciliation service Acas, but they have failed to resolve the dispute.
Speaking at question time at the Scottish Parliament, Mr Salmond said: "Assuming consumer behaviour is responsible, then there should be limited difficulties, both in terms of inconvenience and disruption.
"Clearly, it's a time when we need everyone, and the public's cooperation, to behave sensibly and responsibly, to cut out non-essential trips, to use public transport."Clearly, it's a time when we need everyone, and the public's cooperation, to behave sensibly and responsibly, to cut out non-essential trips, to use public transport.
"This is all wise advice for people in Scotland to take at the present moment. "This is all wise advice for people in Scotland to take at the present moment."
The first minister went on: "The essential message is that the stocks of the available range of fuels will stretch into May and there is the capacity to import more if required.The first minister went on: "The essential message is that the stocks of the available range of fuels will stretch into May and there is the capacity to import more if required.
"Scotland can cope with this difficulty"."Scotland can cope with this difficulty".