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Salmond in pledge on fuel stocks Salmond in pledge on fuel stocks
(30 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 that 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.
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.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.
He added that the industry was confident any localised shortages would be re-supplied quickly.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.The two-day strike was voted for in protest at plans by Grangemouth operator Ineos to make changes to its pension scheme.
Scotland can cope with this difficulty Alex SalmondFirst Minister of ScotlandScotland can cope with this difficulty Alex SalmondFirst Minister of Scotland
Ineos and the Unite union held two days of talks at conciliation service Acas, but they have failed to resolve the dispute.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.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".
Offer withdrawnOffer withdrawn
However, at lunchtime on Thursday, Edinburgh-based Lothian Buses announced that it did not expect to be able to run any services after Sunday evening because BP was prioritising deliveries to petrol stations instead.However, at lunchtime on Thursday, Edinburgh-based Lothian Buses announced that it did not expect to be able to run any services after Sunday evening because BP was prioritising deliveries to petrol stations instead.
Ineos chief executive Tom Crotty met union officials at Acas
In addition, BP was in the process of withdrawing a promotion on its forecourts in Scotland and the north of England, after fears that it might encourage drivers to unnecessarily fill up their cars.In addition, BP was in the process of withdrawing a promotion on its forecourts in Scotland and the north of England, after fears that it might encourage drivers to unnecessarily fill up their cars.
Customers had been offered double points on the Nectar loyalty card scheme if they bought at least another 10 litres of fuel within a week of visiting a BP garage.Customers had been offered double points on the Nectar loyalty card scheme if they bought at least another 10 litres of fuel within a week of visiting a BP garage.
The Scottish Motor Trades Association described the promotion as "a bit silly", and said it sent out the wrong message.The Scottish Motor Trades Association described the promotion as "a bit silly", and said it sent out the wrong message.
The IAM Motoring Trust said anything that encouraged drivers to fill up more often than they normally would was "not what we want at the moment".The IAM Motoring Trust said anything that encouraged drivers to fill up more often than they normally would was "not what we want at the moment".
A spokeswoman for BP said it was putting the offer on hold in areas supplied by Grangemouth, but the deal would continue to be available in other parts of the UK.A spokeswoman for BP said it was putting the offer on hold in areas supplied by Grangemouth, but the deal would continue to be available in other parts of the UK.
Conciliation service Acas said that although the two sides in the dispute had not come to an agreement, time had been spent addressing the issue of safety and the integrity of the Grangemouth site during the strike.Conciliation service Acas said that although the two sides in the dispute had not come to an agreement, time had been spent addressing the issue of safety and the integrity of the Grangemouth site during the strike.