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Salmond in pledge on fuel stocks Salmond in pledge on fuel stocks
(10 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.
THE GRANGEMOUTH SHUTDOWN The plant is directly connected to the Forties oil field system in the North Sea and has an annual capacity of about 10 million tonnes of crude oilCrude is also imported to the site from around the worldThe system has to be powered down gradually, but there is no "off switch" as suchEach plant's equipment has to be cooled and a gradual reduction in pressure maintainedThe same gradual reactivation has to occur when the system is restartedParts of the facility are regularly shut down for maintenance, although this weekend would mark the first total shutdown in the plant's historyDespite their differences, both the management and the unions said that safety at the plant was a priority and that it would not be compromised during the dispute Q&A on the Grangemouth disputeTHE GRANGEMOUTH SHUTDOWN The plant is directly connected to the Forties oil field system in the North Sea and has an annual capacity of about 10 million tonnes of crude oilCrude is also imported to the site from around the worldThe system has to be powered down gradually, but there is no "off switch" as suchEach plant's equipment has to be cooled and a gradual reduction in pressure maintainedThe same gradual reactivation has to occur when the system is restartedParts of the facility are regularly shut down for maintenance, although this weekend would mark the first total shutdown in the plant's historyDespite their differences, both the management and the unions said that safety at the plant was a priority and that it would not be compromised during the dispute Q&A on the Grangemouth dispute
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".
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.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.
But a short time later, the Scottish Government issued a statement saying there had been a "misunderstanding" and the bus company would receive diesel from BP.But a short time later, the Scottish Government issued a statement saying there had been a "misunderstanding" and the bus company would receive diesel from BP.
Lothian Buses then gave reassurances that its fleet would be fuelled and services would run as normal.Lothian Buses then gave reassurances that its fleet would be fuelled and services would run as normal.
Promotion withdrawnPromotion withdrawn
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.
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Government ministers say fuel demand can be metGovernment ministers say fuel demand can be met
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.