HC Deb 13 July 1982 vol 27 cc985-91
Mr. Ridley

We shall sell the shares when the market is right. That seems thoroughly sensible and to answer both hon. Members.

Finally, I note that the Opposition have opposed this proposal in the Oil and Gas (Enterprise) Bill Committee and on this Bill both in Committee and today. Of course oil is a priceless asset and a source of tax as well as of oil, but the argument cannot be sustained that it can be secured only by the operation of public sector companies. The vast bulk of the oil won from the North Sea was won by private sector companies. Before oil was discovered there, it was won in other territory and brought to Britain by private sector companies, thus assuring tax revenue and security of supply to Britain.

On the happy note that the assets will pass to the good management of the private sector, the House will wish to resist the penultimate amendment to the Bill. The House will have done a good deed if it commits these clauses to law.

Question put, That the amendment be made:—

The House divided: Ayes 181, Noes 275.

Division No. 273] [1.20 pm
AYES
Adams, Allen Faulds, Andrew
Allaun, Frank Field, Frank
Anderson, Donald Flannery, Martin
Archer, Rt Hon Peter Fletcher, Ted (Darlington)
Ashley, Rt Hon Jack Ford, Ben
Ashton, Joe Forrester, John
Atkinson, N.(H'gey,) Foster, Derek
Bagier, Gordon A.T. Foulkes, George
Barnett, Guy (Greenwich) Fraser, J. (Lamb'th, N'w'd)
Barnett, Rt Hon Joel (H'wd) Freeson, Rt Hon Reginald
Benn, Rt Hon Tony Garrett, John (Norwich S)
Booth, Rt Hon Albert Garrett, W. E. (Wallsend)
Boothroyd, Miss Betty Graham, Ted
Bray, Dr Jeremy Hamilton, James (Bothwell)
Brown, Hugh D. (Provan) Hamilton, W. W. (C'tral Fife)
Brown, Ron (E'burgh, Leith) Hardy, Peter
Buchan, Norman Harrison, Rt Hon Walter
Callaghan, Jim (Midd't'n & P) Hart, Rt Hon Dame Judith
Campbell, Ian Hattersley, Rt Hon Roy
Campbell-Savours, Dale Haynes, Frank
Canavan, Dennis Hogg, N. (E Dunb't'nshire)
Cant, R. B. Holland, S. (L'b'th, Vauxh'll)
Carmichael, Neil Homewood, William
Carter-Jones, Lewis Hooley, Frank
Clark, Dr David (S Shields) Howell, Rt Hon D.
Clarke, Thomas C'b'dge,A'rie Hoyle, Douglas
Cocks, Rt Hon M. (B'stol S) Huckfield, Les
Coleman, Donald Hughes, Mark (Durham)
Concannon, Rt Hon J. D. Hughes, Robert (Aberdeen N)
Cook, Robin F. Janner, Hon Greville
Cowans, Harry John, Brynmor
Craigen, J. M. (G'gow, M'hill) Jones, Rt Hon Alec (Rh'dda)
Cryer, Bob Jones, Barry (East Flint)
Cunliffe, Lawrence Kaufman, Rt Hon Gerald
Cunningham, Dr J. (W'h'n) Kerr, Russell
Davidson, Arthur Kilroy-Silk, Robert
Davies, Rt Hon Denzil (L'lli) Lamond, James
Davis, Clinton (Hackney C) Leadbitter, Ted
Davis, Terry (B'ham, Stechf'd) Leighton, Ronald
Deakins, Eric Lewis, Ron (Carlisle)
Dean, Joseph (Leeds West) Litherland, Robert
Dewar, Donald Lofthouse, Geoffrey
Dixon, Donald McCartney, Hugh
Dobson, Frank McDonald, Dr Oonagh
Dormand, Jack McElhone, Frank
Douglas, Dick McGuire, Michael (Ince)
Dubs, Alfred McKay, Allen (Penistone)
Duffy, A. E. P. McKelvey, William
Dunnett, Jack MacKenzie, Rt Hon Gregor
Dunwoody, Hon Mrs G. McNamara, Kevin
Eadie, Alex McTaggart, Robert
Eastham, Ken McWilliam, John
Ellis, R. (NE D'bysh're) Marks, Kenneth
English, Michael Marshall, D (G'gow S'ton)
Ennals, Rt Hon David Marshall, Jim (Leicester S)
Evans, Ioan (Aberdare) Martin, M (G'gow S'burn)
Evans, John (Newton) Maxton, John
Ewing, Harry Maynard, Miss Joan
Meacher, Michael Skinner, Dennis
Millan, Rt Hon Bruce Soley, Clive
Miller, Dr M. S. (E Kilbride) Spearing, Nigel
Morris, Rt Hon A. (W'shawe) Spriggs, Leslie
Morris, Rt Hon C. (O'shaw) Stoddart, David
Morton, George Stott, Roger
Moyle, Rt Hon Roland Strang, Gavin
Newens, Stanley Straw, Jack
O'Neill, Martin Summerskill, Hon Dr Shirley
Palmer, Arthur Thorne, Stan (Preston South)
Park, George Tilley, John
Parry, Robert Tinn, James
Pavitt, Laurie Torney, Tom
Pendry, Tom Urwin, Rt Hon Tom
Powell, Raymond (Ogmore) Varley, Rt Hon Eric G.
Prescott, John Wainwright, E. (Dearne V)
Price, C. (Lewisham W) Walker, Rt Hon H. (D'caster)
Race, Reg Welsh, Michael
Radice, Giles White, Frank R.
Rees, Rt Hon M (Leeds S) White, J. (G'gow Pollok)
Richardson, Jo Whitehead, Phillip
Roberts, Ernest (Hackney N) Whitlock, William
Roberts, Gwilym (Cannock) Williams, Rt Hon A. (S'sea W)
Robertson, George Wilson, Gordon (Dundee E)
Robinson, G. (Coventry NW) Wilson, William (C'try SE)
Rooker, J. W. Winnick, David
Ross, Ernest (Dundee West) Woodall, Alec
Rowlands, Ted Woolmer, Kenneth
Sever, John Wright, Sheila
Sheerman, Barry Young, David (Bolton E)
Sheldon, Rt Hon R.
Shore, Rt Hon Peter Tellers for the Ayes:
Short, Mrs Renée Dr. Edmund Marshall and
Silkin, Rt Hon J. (Deptford) Mrs. Austin Mitchell.
Silverman, Julius
NOES
Aitken, Jonathan Cadbury, Jocelyn
Alison, Rt Hon Michael Carlisle, John (Luton West)
Ancram, Michael Carlisle, Kenneth (Lincoln)
Arnold, Tom Carlisle, Rt Hon M. (R'c'n)
Aspinwall, Jack Chalker, Mrs. Lynda
Atkins, Robert (Preston N) Channon, Rt. Hon. Paul
Atkinson, David (B'm'th,E) Chapman, Sydney
Baker, Nicholas (N Dorset) Churchill, W. S.
Banks, Robert Clark, Hon A. (Plym'th, S'n)
Beaumont-Dark, Anthony Clark, Sir W. (Croydon S)
Bendall, Vivian Clarke, Kenneth (Rushcliffe)
Bennett, Sir Frederic (T'bay) Colvin, Michael
Benyon, Thomas (A'don) Cope, John
Benyon, W. (Buckingham) Corrie, John
Berry, Hon Anthony Costain, Sir Albert
Best, Keith Cranborne, Viscount
Bevan, David Gilroy Crouch, David
Biffen, Rt Hon John Dorrell, Stephen
Biggs-Davison, Sir John Douglas-Hamilton, Lord J.
Blackburn, John Dover, Denshore
Blaker, Peter du Cann, Rt Hon Edward
Body, Richard Dunn, Robert (Dartford)
Bonsor, Sir Nicholas Durant, Tony
Boscawen, Hon Robert Eden, Rt Hon Sir John
Bottomley, Peter (W'wich W) Eggar, Tim
Bowden, Andrew Elliott, Sir William
Boyson, Dr Rhodes Eyre, Reginald
Braine, Sir Bernard Fairbairn, Nicholas
Bright, Graham Fairgrieve, Sir Russell
Brinton, Tim Faith, Mrs Sheila
Brittan, Rt. Hon. Leon Farr, John
Brooke, Hon Peter Fell, Sir Anthony
Brotherton, Michael Fenner, Mrs Peggy
Brown, Michael (Brigg & Sc'n) Finsberg, Geoffrey
Browne, John (Winchester) Fisher, Sir Nigel
Bruce-Gardyne, John Fletcher, A. (Ed'nb'gh N)
Bryan, Sir Paul Fletcher-Cooke, Sir Charles
Buchanan-Smith, Rt. Hon. A. Fookes, Miss Janet
Buck, Antony Forman, Nigel
Budgen, Nick Fowler, Rt Hon Norman
Bulmer, Esmond Fox, Marcus
Burden, Sir Frederick Fraser, Peter (South Angus)
Butcher, John Gardner, Edward (S Fylde)
Glyn, Dr Alan Monro, Sir Hector
Goodhart, Sir Philip Montgomery, Fergus
Goodhew, Sir Victor Moore, John
Goodlad, Alastair Morris, M. (N'hampton S)
Gorst, John Morrison, Hon C. (Devizes)
Gow, Ian Morrison, Hon P. (Chester)
Grant, Anthony (Harrow C) Mudd, David
Gray, Hamish Murphy, Christopher
Greenway, Harry Myles, David
Griffiths, E. (B'y St. Edm'ds) Neale, Gerrard
Griffiths, Peter Portsm'th N) Needham, Richard
Grylls, Michael Nelson, Anthony
Gummer, John Selwyn Neubert, Michael
Hamilton, Hon A. Newton, Tony
Hamilton, Michael (Salisbury) Normanton, Tom
Hampson, Dr Keith Onslow, Cranley
Hannam, John Oppenheim, Rt Hon Mrs S.
Haselhurst, Alan Osborn, John
Hastings, Stephen Page, John (Harrow, West)
Havers, Rt Hon Sir Michael Page, Richard (SW Herts)
Hawkins, Sir Paul Parkinson, Rt Hon Cecil
Hayhoe, Barney Parris, Matthew
Heddle, John Patten, John (Oxford)
Henderson, Barry Pattie, Geoffrey
Heseltine, Rt Hon Michael Pawsey, James
Hicks, Robert Percival, Sir Ian
Higgins, Rt Hon Terence L. Pink, R. Bonner
Hill, James Pollock, Alexander
Hogg, Hon Douglas (Gr'th'm) Porter, Barry
Holland, Philip (Carlton) Price, Sir David (Eastleigh)
Hooson, Tom Prior, Rt Hon James
Hordern, Peter Proctor, K. Harvey
Howe, Rt Hon Sir Geoffrey Raison, Rt Hon Timothy
Howell, Ralph (N Norfolk) Rathbone, Tim
Hunt, John (Ravensbourne) Rees, Peter (Dover and Deal)
Irvine, Bryant Godman Rees-Davies, W. R.
Jessel, Toby Renton, Tim
Johnson Smith, Sir Geoffrey Rhodes James, Robert
Jopling, Rt Hon Michael Rhys Williams, Sir Brandon
Joseph, Rt Hon Sir Keith Ridley, Hon Nicholas
Kellett-Bowman, Mrs Elaine Ridsdale, Sir Julian
Kershaw, Sir Anthony Rifkind, Malcolm
Kimball, Sir Marcus Rippon, Rt Hon Geoffrey
King, Rt Hon Tom Roberts, M. (Cardiff NW)
Knight, Mrs Jill Roberts, Wyn (Conway)
Knox, David Rossi, Hugh
Lang, Ian Rost, Peter
Lawrence, Ivan Rumbold, Mrs A. C. R.
Lee, John Sainsbury, Hon Timothy
Lennox-Boyd, Hon Mark St. John-Stevas, Rt Hon N.
Lester, Jim (Beeston) Scott, Nicholas
Lewis, Kenneth (Rutland) Shaw, Giles (Pudsey)
Lloyd, Peter (Fareham) Shelton, William (Streatham)
Loveridge, John Shepherd, Colin (Hereford)
Luce, Richard Shepherd, Richard
Lyell, Nicholas Shersby, Michael
Macfarlane, Neil Silvester, Fred
MacGregor, John Sims, Roger
MacKay, John (Argyll) Skeet, T. H. H.
Macmillan, Rt Hon M. Smith, Dudley
McNair-Wilson, M. (N'bury) Smith, Tim (Beaconsfield)
McNair-Wilson, P. (New F'st) Speed, Keith
Madel, David Speller, Tony
Major, John Spicer, Jim (West Dorset)
Marland, Paul Spicer, Michael (S Worcs)
Marten, Rt Hon Neil Sproat, Iain
Mather, Carol Squire, Robin
Maude, Rt Hon Sir Angus Stainton, Keith
Mawby, Ray Stanbrook, Ivor
Mawhinney, Dr Brian Stanley, John
Maxwell-Hyslop, Robin Steen, Anthony
Mayhew, Patrick Stevens, Martin
Mellor, David Stewart, A. (E Renfrewshire)
Meyer, Sir Anthony Stewart, Ian (Hitchin)
Miller, Hal (B'grove) Stokes, John
Mills, Iain (Meriden) Stradling Thomas, J.
Mills, Sir Peter (West Devon) Tapsell, Peter
Miscampbell, Norman Taylor, Teddy (S'end E)
Mitchell, David (Basingstoke) Temple-Morris, Peter
Moate, Roger Thomas, Rt Hon Peter
Thompson, Donald Wells, Bowen
Thorne, Neil (Ilford South) Wells, John (Maidstone)
Thornton, Malcolm Wheeler, John
Townend, John (Bridlington) Whitney, Raymond
Townsend, Cyril D, (B'heath) Wickenden, Keith
Trippier, David Wiggin, Jerry
Trotter, Neville Wilkinson, John
van Straubenzee, Sir W. Williams, D. (Montgomery)
Viggers, Peter Winterton, Nicholas
Waddington, David Wolfson, Mark
Wakeham, John Young, Sir George (Acton)
Waldegrave, Hon William Younger, Rt Hon George
Walker, B. (Perth)
Waller, Gary Tellers for the Noes:
Walters, Dennis Mr. David Hunt and
Ward, John Mr. Tristan Garel-Jones.
Watson, John

Amendment accordingly negatived.

    cc985-7
  1. TRANSFER OF ASSETS OF BRITISH NATIONAL OIL CORPORATION 1,420 words