§ 20. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Minister of Power if he is aware that the rig, "Mr. Louie", which under licence from him, was drilling for oil in the North Sea, was recently found by divers to have developed damage to one of its legs and was thereupon sent to Bremerhaven in Germany for repairs; and if he will make it a condition of future licences granted by him that such repairs should be carried out in Great Britain.
§ Dr. BrayMy right hon. Friend has been informed of the damage to the drilling rig "Mr. Louie". He does not consider it would be appropriate to make it a condition of future licences that repairs to equipment should be carried out at any particular place.
§ Mr. HughesIs it not inconsistent with the financial state of the country to refrain from putting into the licence a condition requiring that repairs of that 232 kind should be done in this country instead of being sent abroad?
§ Dr. BrayIt is certainly a pity that the state of the heavy engineering shipbuilding industry had not been got into a form in which it could contribute substantially to the North Sea exploration programme. Plainly it would be unwise at this stage to hold up the exploration simply to keep the work in this country.
§ Mr. LubbockIs the hon. Gentleman aware that not one of the gas rigs ordered from the British shipbuilding industry for operations in the North Sea was delivered on time? What steps has he taken in conjunction with his right hon. Friend, in response to requests from the shipbuilding industry, to see that greater efficiency is ensured in future orders and that they go to British industry in future?
§ Dr. BrayMy right hon. Friend makes it plain to all licensees his wish that they should make the maximum use of British resources in the North Sea exploration programme. The detailed organisation of the shipbuilding industry is a question for another Department.
§ Mr. HughesIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.