Mr. Fred Barry:

I will not say that this could not happen, particularly as I do not know enough to make such a statement. However, State agencies all use the standard contracts laid down by the Department of Finance. If it were allowable to include such a measure - I am not saying it is not allowable because I do not know - then the Department of Finance would put it into standard contracts. We, the OPW and other spending bodies would then use it. I would have no problem with it in principle.

Senator Brennan referred to service areas and differences in the price of fuel. Service stations are limited in what they can charge for fuel and those limits are tied to the prevailing prices in particular areas. There are limits on the amounts that can be charged but service stations in a particular place may, for reasons of competition, charge more or less. My experience has been that the prices in services areas are generally quite competitive with those available elsewhere.