North Sea Oil (Hansard, 1 December 1971)

§ 14. Mr. Douglas
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on discussions between his Department and Scottish organisations regarding the exploitation of North Sea oil.

Mr. Cordon Campbell
In consultation with the Department of Trade and Industry my Departments are in regular touch with all those concerned in the exploitation of North Sea oil and in the consequent developments.

§ Mr. Douglas
Would the Secretary of State address his mind to two points, first, consultation with the Department 428 of Trade and Industry and his own economic advisers? Would he consider making a statement about cash flow and revenue and royalties coming from North Sea oil, because there is a great deal of misinformation being perpetrated about this issue?
Secondly, would he convene a conference of interested parties—the C.B.I. and S.T.U.C.—to see what facilities we could get in Scotland, and to band together, perhaps in an industrial investment board, to ensure that we miss nothing we should be getting in terms of industrial exploitation?

Mr. Campbell
On the first question, I will certainly consider the hon. Member's proposal, and I agree with him that there are a lot of strange, misinformed statements being made. On the second question, I understand that arrangements are being made for a conference of the kind he has suggested.

§ Mr. Sproat
In view of the importance of developing Aberdeen Harbour to take maximum advantage of the terminals of North Sea oil supplies discovered, will my right hon. Friend say what is being done to encourage the Aberdeen Harbour Board and the Minister for Transport Industries to have talks about that, and can he say precisely what date has been fixed for these proposed talks?

Mr. Campbell
My hon. Friend will have to ask the Minister that question because I do not know what arrangements have been made, but I shall certainly keep in very close touch with my right hon. Friend and, if necessary, I, or one of my colleagues will be there.

§ Mr. Russell Johnston
Is the Secretary of State aware that the misstatements generally result because of the absence of official forecasts? Is he also aware that the Scottish Council is one of the organisations which have made specific proposals for the channelling of some of the revenue from oil, similar to those made by the consortium? What consideration has he given to this?

Mr. Campbell
I am in touch with the Scottish Council about these matters. I am not sure whether the hon. Member has fully understood all that has been said by its representatives on this, but 429 they are concerned about the matters which have been raised, and I am myself in touch with them about all of them.

§ Mr. Ronald King Murray
Would the Secretary of State also consult his right hon. and learned Friend the Lord Advocate? Is he aware that there are difficult legal matters arising from the exploitation of the sea bed? For example, what is to happen if fishing boats are damaged through work going on under the sea, or on the sea bed, and what happens if there is a collision between a merchant ship and a rig?

Mr. Campbell
The hon. and learned Gentleman will know that this matter is one which has been under discussion for some years, particularly at the United Nations, as a matter of international law. Certainly my right hon. and learned Friend is fully aware of these matters and keeps a watchful eye on them.