§ Mr. David StewartTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what economic assessment she has made of a bid by a British company for a platform for BP's Clair field in terms of employment and economic activity. [32251]
§ Mr. WilsonIndustrial benefits from BP's £650 million investment in Clair include approximately 1,000 direct jobs—850 of these during the construction phase and the balance offshore.
There will also be a considerable knock-on effect inducing activity and employment further down the supply chain.
§ Mr. David StewartTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate she has made of the timescale involved for the granting of the contract to build the platform for the BP Clair field. [32252]
§ Mr. WilsonWhile the timing of contract awards is a commercial matter for BP, we understand that the analysis of tenders for the major structural elements of Clair will be carried out during February and March.
§ Mr. David StewartTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to promote British oil fabrication yards in their bid for downstream work from the BP Clair field. [32257]
§ Mr. WilsonAs my hon. Friend is aware, I regularly meet BP's senior management. On several occasions I have emphasised the importance of Clair to the UK's oil and gas industry, and that UK fabrication yards are anxious to demonstrate their global competitiveness.
I also met representatives of Clair prequalified fabricators in November in Aberdeen to encourage them to deliver the competitive bids I know they are capable of.