§ 17. Mr. Rowlandsasked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he will make a statement on the disposal of the British Gas Corporation's Wytch Farm interests.
§ Mr. John MooreBritish Gas is currently assessing a number of bids for its interest in PL.089. These bids are commercially confidential, and it would not be right for me to speculate on the outcome of the negotiations while they are still in progress.
§ Mr. RowlandsWill the hon. Gentleman assure the House that the Government will not compel the BGC to sell its Wytch Farm interests at anything like the offers made to date, which reflect the wholly ill-timed and ill-judged forced sale arrangement imposed by the Government on the BGC? I hope that the Government will not allow Wytch Farm to be given away in the same way as our other North Sea oil assets.
§ Mr. MooreClearly, the hon. Gentleman did not listen to my answer. I made it quite clear that it would be premature to comment while the BGC is considering the bids. The House discussed this matter and approved the Government's direction in July 1981.
§ Mr. Ioan EvansWhy have the Government compelled the BGC to dispose of these assets? Are they not highly profitable? Does it not help to keep down the price of gas if the BGC is encouraged to undertake these profitable activities?
§ Mr. MooreThe House has debated these matters twice. The Government's policy on the disposal by the BGC of areas not connected with its main gas business—onshore oil—was approved by the House.