§ 11. Mr. Fairgrieveasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many applications have been approved for sites to construct oil platforms in Scotland during the last six months; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. William RossOne
§ Mr. FairgrieveI thank the right hon. Gentleman for that reply. I request that he speeds up future applications so as to prevent service industries having to go, for example, to Norway or Iceland, thus preventing us from building up a Scottish indigenous service industry for oil development, which could go all over the world.
§ Mr. RossWe should not exaggerate the position too greatly. Nine platforms have been approved, eight of them without any local public inquiry. In terms of local public inquiries it is necessary to get the balance right in relation to local interests and similar matters. There is a limit to what can be done to speed up dealing with these applications, but we are looking at the planning procedure to see how we can more effectively get what is desired within the law.
§ Mrs. Winifred EwingWill the right hon. Gentleman confirm that he has no applications or plans to improve sites at Lossie Forest, Culfin Forest and Burghead Bay?
§ Mr. Alexander FletcherThe right hon. Gentleman has mentioned reviewing planning procedures. When is he likely to come forward with new proposals on this important matter?
§ Mr. RossThere may not be new proposals. As I have suggested, there may be administrative changes within the 411 existing law, but I shall let the hon. Gentleman and the House know as much as I can about the matter.