HC Deb 20 July 1972 vol 841 cc904-6
Q5. Mr. Douglas

asked the Prime Minister if he is satisfied with the co-ordination between the Department of Trade and Industry, the Scottish Office and the Department of the Environment with regard to the siting of oil refineries to take advantage of North Sea oil; and if he will make a statement.

The Prime Minister

Yes, Sir. The three Departments maintain very close contact.

Mr. Douglas

I accept that that may be the case, but is the Prime Minister satisfied with a situation in which the three Departments expect that by1975 the Forties field will deliver to the United Kingdom about 20 million tons of oil per annum but the refining capacity in Scotland is not capable of taking it? Will he ask the three Departments to give urgent consideration, with the respective local authorities, to scheduling sites for oil refining and petro-chemical complexes in Scotland?

The Prime Minister

Yes, Sir. The figure that is generally accepted is that by the mid-1970s it is hoped that the field will be producing about 25 million tons a year. The Scottish Office has carried out a survey of possible refinery sites in Scotland. The results of the survey are available to all who consult either the Scottish Office or the Department of Trade and Industry about possible refinery sites. A number of inquiries are under way at the moment.

Mr. Lawson

Will the right hon. Gentleman do his best to ensure that in the selection of those sites the lovely coastline is not irreparably damaged?

The Prime Minister

Yes, Sir. In the selection of sites environmental considerations have been taken very much into account. If the hon. Gentleman is referring to Hunterston, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has given certain development approval for Hunterston, but obviously the processes which will be followed will depend on the nature of any additional development which is required.

Sir Bernard Braine

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in the view of many people in the South-East there is too great a concentration of oil refineries in the densely residential areas of the Thames Estuary, and that there would be great environmental advantages in siting future oil refineries in Scotland or in areas where this sort of activity is needed?

The Prime Minister

I know the interest of my hon. Friend in this subject. With the discovery of oil off the coast of Scotland there is great interest in additional refinery capacity in Scotland. Already BP has announced plans for expansion.