HL Deb 27 June 1974 vol 352 cc1632-3

3.8 p.m.

THE EARL OF LAUDERDALE

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government when the Scottish Development Department intends to publish the comprehensive list (which has been expected since the limited list published last September) of physically possible sites around the Highlands and Islands coasts for the construction of gravity platforms.

THE MINISTER OF STATE, SCOTTISH OFFICE (LORD HUGHES)

My Lords, as the noble Earl knows, the Scottish Office has published two discussion papers dealing with platform construction sites. The first, Production Platform Towers: Construction Sites, dated April, 1973, included a list of possible locations for platform tower construction yards. The other was North Sea Oil and Gas: Interim Coastal Planning Framework, dated October, 1973. It is hoped to publish a revised version of this during the summer, indicating suggested zones around the Scottish coast in which conservation and development might, respectively, have priority. It is also hoped to publish a statement on the national requirements for platform construction sites.

THE EARL OF LAUDERDALE

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for that reply. May I also thank him for a letter which he was good enough to write to me on this subject a few weeks back, and ask whether the further document which is envisaged will cover possible sites in the Islands?

LORD HUGHES

My Lords, in so far as the Islands also have Scottish coasts, yes.

THE EARL OF LAUDERDALE

My Lords, it is very satisfactory that the Hebrides and the Western Isles will be included in this study. However, may I ask the noble Lord whether the study will also take account of the depths needed for towing gravity platforms out to the sites where they will eventually stand, and of channel depths, as well as of the inshore qualifications of particular sites for construction?

LORD HUGHES

My Lords, I can assure the noble Earl that the study will take account of all relevant factors.