P522ORACLE 522 Mon 3 Mar C4 1715:02   OIL WORRIES DENT  BASE RATE HOPES Hopes of cut in bank base rates in the near future have been severly dented by a fresh fall in the value of sterling. See p508 for £ latest. Confidence in the pound has been undermined by a new bout of nerves over oil prices. Chief economist at brokers Simon and Coates Mr David Morrison said it would be very difficult for the Chancellor to cut base rates before or at Budget time But it would still possible for rates to come down 1% by the end of the month if the situation stabilised, he said. * HOLIDAYS GALORE!! * 580