The Environment Bureau will post local import and retail prices of auto-fuel on its website, and compare them with the trend movements of Singapore free-on-board prices for unleaded petrol and motor vehicle diesel.

Secretary for the Environment Edward Yau told the Legislative Council today the Consumer Council will also publish the local retail prices and discounts of auto-fuel weekly from November.  

Noting the international oil price has fallen continuously since July, Mr Yau said the bureau has urged oil companies to promptly adjust prices in tandem with international oil-price movements. The Government will monitor the changes.

He said comparing the import prices of auto-fuel with local retail prices is more appropriate and accurate to assess whether there has been any deviation from the trend movements of international oil prices.

Apart from the import cost and Government duties, the local auto-fuel retail price also covers other operating costs such as labour, land, transportation and promotion costs. Adjustments in operating costs may not be in line with international movements.

Mr Yau also said the actual import cost of auto-fuel currently sold reflects the average import prices of the past four weeks.

"There is a time lag for the adjustment of international oil prices to be filtered through and be reflected in local auto-fuel retail prices."