HC Deb 25 January 1988 vol 126 c5
4. Mr. Harry Greenway

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he has any proposals to enhance the export support role of the offshore supplies office.

The Secretary of State for Energy (Mr. Cecil Parkinson)

The offshore supplies office has recently increased the resources it devotes to supporting the offshore industry in overseas markets. My hon. Friend the Minister of State and I will be doing all we can to support the United Kingdom offshore supplies industry in its bid to win export orders worldwide.

Mr. Greenway

Does my right hon. Friend agree that there are enormous export opportunities in offshore supplies? Will he say what he is doing to assist the process?

Mr. Parkinson

The United Kingdom offshore supplies industry is now a formidable industry employing tens of thousands of people. It supplied nearly £2 billion worth of goods to North sea operators last year. We believe that technology is capable of wide applications in many markets overseas, and my hon. Friend and I will be leading teams of British business men to markets all over the world and supporting them in promoting British exports.

Mr. Dalyell

May I ask the Secretary of State an urgent question affecting the offshore supplies industry in Scotland? How, in what form and when do Ministers propose to use the golden share in Britoil?

Mr. Parkinson

I congratulate the hon. Gentleman on his ingenuity, but I have nothing to add to the remarks of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The golden share exists and it is in the hands of the Treasury Solicitor. The parties bidding for Britoil have been warned that the powers will be used to prevent any of them getting control. When that situation arises, they will be used.