The Economic Development Ministry will not investigate allegations of unusually high importer margins on diesel, despite a request from the Automobile Association (AA). Oil companies dropped the price of diesel 6c a litre yesterday.

Shell has led the way with a 5c a litre petrol price rise. The price of 91 octane rose to 153.9c, while 95 octane is 158.9c. Diesel went up to 113.9c. Mike Noon, the Automobile Association's director of motoring affairs, said petrol had gone up 15c this year.

SOUTHERN motorists hoping for some good news after continued petrol price rises are out of luck, with all short-term indicators suggesting it is unlikely prices will come down.