HC Deb 05 February 1979 vol 962 c11
10. Mr. Viggers

asked the Secretary of State for Energy when he last met the director-general of the United Kingdom Offshore Operators' Association.

Dr. Mabon

My right hon. Friend last met the director-general of the UKOOA on 1 December 1978 at the meeting of the Energy Commission. I last met him on 19 and again on 20 January.

Mr. Viggers

When will the Government respond to the United Kingdom Offshore Operators' Association's survey of the North Sea which showed a drop in confidence by exploration companies? Would it help for the Government to give a long-term statement, rather on the lines of the so-called Varley assurances of 1974?

Dr. Mabon

I hope that we shall do that very soon. We are in the process of doing it. I think that the hon. Gentleman's suggestion is helpful. The decline has levelled off. The idea that the changes in exploration were due to the PRT announcements is totally unfounded, since, in time, this is not entirely true. Unfortunately, part of the submission of the UKOOA is that that is the case. I suggest to hon. Gentlemen that they should look for reasons other than those asserted by the UKOOA.