§ 10. Mr. Sillarsasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a further statement on the work of his Department towards securing industrial benefits for Scotland from North Sea oil.
§ The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Gordon Campbell)The Scottish Office contributes directly through its responsibilities for planning, infrastructure and certain harbours. In addition, where other Departments and agencies have the primary responsibilities, my noble Friend the Minister of State has the rôle of co-ordinating Minister.
§ Mr. SillarsWill the right hon. Gentleman accept that actions always speak louder than words? May I refer him to the supply boat position? Will he confirm that it is within his knowledge that between now and 1980 we shall need between 150 and 170 supply boats for North Sea oil but that, to date, not one of these is on order in a Scottish yard? Is this not totally unacceptable? Will not Lord Polwarth have to do something about this before we accept the kind of words he has used about his rôle in the Scottish Office?
§ Mr. CampbellWhile we have been very quick in geting ready the harbours and bases from which supply boats can operate, including Peterhead, which was a very fast operation, it has been disappointing that Scottish firms have not so far been able to get the business of the supply boats. I think that there is one exception and I congratulate the firm which has got the orders. There have been firms in England which have been building supply boats for the gas operations going on in the past eight to 10 years off the English coast.
§ Mr. MaclennanIs there any governmental committee to which Lord Polwarth has access in his co-ordinating rôle to which the Secretary of State did not previously have access?
§ Mr. CampbellNo. The committee system is such and the position of the Minister of State as the alternate to the Secretary of State is such that the Minister of State can attend a number of committees in place of the Secretary of State.
§ Mr. BuchanThe whole thing is a charade.