§ Mr. GrimondOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I wish to raise a point of order in connection with Question No. 36 which was originally put down to the Secretary of State for Scotland. It is, of course, a well-established custom of the House that Ministers may transfer Questions for which they have no responsibility. I would, however, make two points in regard to this Question.
First, I am asking only that the Secretary of State should pay a visit to Norway to study certain matters. The Prime Minister is constantly asked to pay visits to study various matters which may not be wholly his individual responsibility, except in so far as he is head of the Government.
Secondly, the Scottish Office has constantly taken some responsibility for the 473 terms upon which oil is exploited in the North Sea. Only today it was taking credit for the speed with which the Government have acted in this matter. Therefore, the Scottish Office cannot say that it has always denied any responsibility here.
This is a matter of peculiar responsibility in Scotland. Keen as I have no doubt the Norwegians would be to see the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, Scotsmen and possibly the Norwegians would be much keener that our Secretary of State should go. We have a great deal in common with the Norwegians as a small country and are deeply concerned about the better terms which Norway has obtained for her oil than we have for ours. This is not simply and solely a question affecting Britain as a whole but is peculiarly a matter for the Scottish Office.
§ The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Gordon Campbell)Further to that point of order. The Question appeared on the Order Paper for the first time yesterday. Its subject matter, the terms for the exploitation of North Sea oil, is not within the jurisdiction of my Department. Much though I would like to pay a visit to Norway, I could not pretend to be responsible for that subject. As for Questions answered today, they have related to onshore installations—that is to say, to projects in Scotland with which I have been concerned and where planning permission and others of my functions touched upon them—but that is not the exploitation of the seabed 100 miles out to sea.
§ Mr. SpeakerThe right hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland (Mr. Grimond) has raised this matter as a point of order and I will certainly consider it. The transfer of Questions is not a matter for the Chair but if I think that the conventions have in any way been abused I will certainly express my opinion on the matter when I have had time to consider it.
§ Mr. GrimondI am most grateful, Sir.