Tanker ballot: Penning urges ‘common sense’

29 March 2012  

JUNIOR Transport Minister Mike Penning popped up on the BBC’s Newsnight on Wednesday to warn people not to store fuel in jerrycans.

The ex-fireman appeared on the show to clarify the government’s position on stockpiling fuel in 20-litre jerrycans case of a tanker strike. The minister said: “No, we don’t advise that…the quantity is more than what is allowed’.

The confusion came after Cabinet Secretary Francis Maude earlier in the day suggested what he saw as ‘common sense measures’ – which included brimming the tank at the next stop and keeping what he referred to as ‘jerrycans’ in the garage.  Penning clarified that Maude was speaking about the much smaller 5-litre plastic containers, of which it is perfectly legal to have two.

To further clarify the government’s position, Mr Penning reiterated his remarks on Thursday’s Today programme, however he refused to let presenter John Humphries draw him on the subject of VAT on hot food. “I’m not the minister for pasties” he said, adding: “Although anyone who has seen me will know I enjoy them on a regular basis”.

Mike Penning is currently preparing the MOT review.