HC Deb 19 November 1973 vol 864 cc929-31
10. Mr. Strang

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress he has made in implementing the recommendations of the IMEG Report.

Mr. Anthony Grant

Action has been taken or is in hand across the whole range of subjects covered in the IMEG Report.

Mr. Strang

It is true that the heads of some of the major oil companies have told the Prime Minister that, if the Government want North Sea oil to come into production as quickly as possible, they should give the oil companies greater free- dom to buy overseas? Does the hon. Gentleman therefore envisage the energy crisis in the short term leading to a situation in which there is less participation by British industry in this market for services and equipment?

Mr. Grant

I am not aware of that. It is our policy to get oil from the North Sea as quickly as possible and to ensure that British firms have a full and fair opportunity to compete. It is relevant that I should point out that about 6,000 jobs have arisen in new projects in the past two years and that a further 9,000 are in prospect.

Mr. Douglas

Will the hon. Gentleman accept that we all regret the announcement today that a third concrete production platform is being ordered from Norway? Will he accept that this country cannot go on losing these vital orders? What does his Department intend to do to ensure that such production platforms and semi-submersibles are ordered in the United Kingdom?

Mr. Grant

Of course I regret the loss to the United Kingdom economy of any important order. Steel platforms are being built at four sites and at five other sites approval has been given for concrete or steel constructions. The problem is that very deep waters are required for the construction of the concrete platforms and in the United Kingdom this raises important planning issues.

Mr. Eadie

Does the hon. Gentleman agree that it is time that the House had a catalogue of the recommendations from the IMEG Report that the Government have implemented? What liaison is there between his Department and the Department of Employment now that, following the IMEG Report, there has been an interdepartmental report on manpower and training in relation to North Sea developments?

Mr. Grant

I should be glad to detail exactly what we have done in response to the IMEG Report, because it has been substantial. I should be happy to do so either by giving an answer in the House or by writing to the hon. Gentleman and placing the letter in the Library. My Department works closely with the Department of Education and Science on the subject of education and training, and the respective Secretaries of State of those Departments have announced steps to promote education and training in offshore work.