HC Deb 04 April 1973 vol 854 c438
22. Mr. Sillars

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he will next take the chair at the Scottish Economic Council.

Mr. Gordon Campbell

On 13th April.

Mr. Sillars

Will the Secretary of State discuss with the members of the council why in the economic review section of the Scottish Economic Bulletin there is only one passing reference of one sentence to North Sea oil and its effect on the Scottish economy? Is it fair for us to regard this departmental omission as an indication of the well-recognised fact that on matters of oil policy the Secretary of State's influence in the Cabinet is negligible?

Mr. Campbell

No, the hon. Member is talking nonsense. The Bulletin has a purpose which is well recognised. It was not on that occasion dealing with North Sea oil. The question of undersea oil has been dealt with in various ways, including a publication from the Department of Trade and Industry, and it will be dealt with in the future. It is a continually changing situation and the Government will be issuing information in the most appropriate forms on the many different aspects of this important subject for Scotland.