KEITH Brooks’s letter (Oxford Mail, May 4), blaming the oil companies for fleecing the public is totally wrong.

The price paid at the pumps is mainly tax – a small percentage goes to the oil companies who pay for exploration, extraction, distribution and, of course, building oil refineries and filling stations out of this.

Their overheads are enormous, while the Government’s are nil.

If anyone is fleecing the public, it is the Government.

I believe the amount of tax per litre should be shown on all pumps and then the reality will be obvious.

CHRIS HALFORD

Swale Drive

Didcot