Minister Condemned For Petrol Strike Advice

The Fire Brigades Union has urged Francis Maude to withdraw comments about storing jerry cans of petrol in case of a strike by fuel tanker drivers over Easter.

Despite insisting there was no need to panic, the Cabinet Office Minister advised people to stock up on fuel in case of a walkout at what is one of the busiest travel periods of the year.

"When it makes sense, a bit of extra fuel in a jerry can in the garage is a sensible precaution to take," Mr Maude told Sky News.

He added "people need to be aware that there is a risk to fuel supplies", although he insisted it should not be a "mad dash" or a "panic".

"It's not for us to give advice on what people should do. It is our obligation to tell them what is going on so that they can make their own decisions," he said.

Tanker drivers at five of the seven main supply companies have voted in favour of industrial action over terms and conditions, as well as safety standards.

Unite, which represents around 2,000 drivers who deliver to Shell, Esso and major supermarkets, is demanding minimum standards for pay, hours, holiday and redudancy.

Conciliation service Acas has invited unions and oil companies to enter "urgent discussions" in the hope of brokering a deal and avoiding a walkout, but said no time has yet been set for talks.

Unite said it "welcomed" the invitation.

David Cameron has chaired a Cobra meeting of ministers to discuss fuel contingencies to mitigate the effect of a walkout in case it goes ahead.

A Downing Street spokesman said: "The meeting reiterated that this is an industrial dispute and that there is no justification for a strike.

"Unite and employers need to work together to reach an agreement that will avert the irresponsible industrial action that threatens the nation with economic and social disruption.

"No one wants a strike and no date has been set for one, however, the Government does have to prepare for the possibility that there will be a strike."

There are already contingency plans to train military personnel to drive tankers if required.

But the coalition has been accused of stoking fears about a petrol shortage because of confusion over its advice to the general public.

On Tuesday, Downing Street refused to say directly if drivers should fill up just in case. The official spokesman simply said: "People will draw their own conclusions."

The statement drew an angry response from motoring organisations, which accused the Government of encouraging panic buying.

An AA spokesman said: "It's the height of irresponsibility for Downing Street to give the impression that people should be panic-buying. They should be using all their efforts to get a settlement."

Labour branded the latest comments from Mr Maude the "height of irresponsibility part two" and shadow minister without portfolio Michael Dugher asked: "Has Francis Maude gone mad?!"

The Fire Brigades Union called for the advice to be withdrawn, warning that storing petrol at home was extremely dangerous.

Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary, said: "The general public does not properly understand the fire and explosion risk of storing fuel, even if it was done sensibly.

"Those without garages may be tempted to store fuel in the home. In the event of a fire in the house or a neighbouring property, it would be disastrous.

"There is a real danger the public will start storing fuel in inappropriate ways if the Government is encouraging panic-buying and storage. This advice is wrong and must be withdrawn."

The Fire Service has published guidelines on storing petrol and diesel , which is restricted by law.

Within minutes of Mr Maude appearing, Mr Cameron was challenged about his comments during a Downing Street news conference where he insisted the Government was delivering a "very calm, very sensible" message and denied stoking the row.

"I absolutely do not want to raise the temperature on this any more than is necessary," he said.

"I do not want a strike to take place. I hope the talks will be successful but in government you always have to prepare for any eventuality. The British people would expect that.

"To the British people themselves I would say look, there is no imminent strike. The unions would have to give seven days notice of any strike so there is no need to to queue to buy petrol.

"If there is an opportunity to top up your tank if a strike is potentially on the way, then it is a sensible thing if you are able to do that."

Although motoring groups have urged drivers not to change their buying patterns, some drivers appear not to be taking any chances.

One garage in Wilmslow, Cheshire, sold out of unleaded and diesel today.

Service station worker Adam Watkins told Sky News: "We've been taking £3,000 per hour and sold a week's worth of fuel supplied in one and a half days."

One driver, James Smythe, from Macclesfield, said: "I can't afford to run the risk of not being able to get fuel. It makes sense. It's not panicking - it's just sensible."