ABSTRACT
In this chapter we shall return to the international aspects of the oil crisis, to the stage after the failure of the European Summit of December 14 and 15 in Copenhagen. At that time, the predominant feeling in The Hague was of great uncertainty over the oil supply. Although it was clear by then that some oil companies were trying to share out the oil between European countries as equitably as possible, it was felt that the oil supply would remain uncertain for the immediate future. Seen in retrospect, December 1973 was the worst month for the oil supply. This was the time that the decision was taken to introduce rationing and to submit the Enabling Act to Parliament. By the end of the year, however, it was becoming clear that the worst was already over and that the supply of oil would recover within the foreseeable future.
