§ THE EARL OF LAUDERDALEMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper and at the same time beg leave of the House to declare an interest in that I advise one of the companies that is interested in finding sites of this kind.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government when they will present to Parliament a Bill to enable compulsory purchase of the sites needed for off-shore platform construction other than those now before a public local inquiry.
§ LORD BALOGHMy Lords, we are actively considering what measures may be needed to ensure that the exploitation of our off-shore petroleum resources brings the maximum benefits to the people of this country. The case for 629 legislation on the lines proposed continues to be under examination but no decision has yet been reached.
§ THE EARL OF LAUDERDALEMy Lords, in thanking the noble Lord for that reply, will he take it from me that this Question was tabled before we knew about last night's debate? In view of the inadequacy of the answer on this point then I felt it worth while to keep the Question on the Order Paper, and I ask him to accept my thanks for his reply.
§ LORD BALOGHMy Lords, in thanking the noble Earl for this opportunity of answering a second Question from him, I can assure him that my noble friend will not make a Statement before the Drumbuie Inquiry is ended.
§ LORD POLWARTHMy Lords, will the noble Lord say in rather more definite terms than did his noble colleague Lord Hughes last night whether the Government's decision not to proceed with legislation to acquire urgently needed coastal sites will or will not result in delay in producing the required number of platforms, and hence in producing the oil?
§ LORD BALOGHMy Lords, as the noble Lord might have heard last night, we have to balance environmental and conservation interests with the interests of production. If we did not do that great hostility might be aroused which eventually would result in much greater damage.
§ LORD CARRINGTONMy Lords, while acknowledging the noble Lord's balancing act, can he answer the question as to whether or not, as a result of the Government's decision not to continue on the time scale that the previous Government had with this Bill, there will be delay in bringing the oil ashore?
§ LORD BALOGHMy Lords, no one can be sure of that.
§ LORD POLWARTHMy Lords, is the noble Lord aware that the Scottish Council's Study published yesterday foresees the need, on the basis of present discoveries alone, for somewhere between 45 and 65 platforms by the year 1981, and suggests that this figure is most unlikely to be met, partly on account of a dearth of suitable construction sites? If he is so aware, does he agree with this assessment?
§ LORD BALOGHMy Lords, the experts disagree in regard to this question. When the last Government were in Office we heard equivocal statements about the number needed and the production which is expected. I do not think it is for the noble Lord who was responsible for Scottish affairs in this connection to make such remarks.
§ THE EARL OF LAUDERDALEMy Lords, since the noble Lord, Lord Balogh, has entered the Scottish field, will he tell us when we can expect the promised summary from the Scottish Office of possible coastal sites that would be suitable for the construction of gravity platforms? He will know from his close liaison with the noble Lord, Lord Hughes, that there is something "cooking" in this respect. Can he tell us when we may expect to see it published?
§ LORD BALOGHMy Lords, I think the noble Earl might put down a Question in that regard.
§ LORD DRUMALBYNMy Lords, will the noble Lord tell us who are the experts who disagree with the expertise expressed by my noble friend Lord Polwarth?
§ LORD BALOGHNo, my Lords.
§ LORD DRUMALBYNMy Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for his courtesy, may I ask him whether he will give any reason for not being able to give an answer to that question?
§ LORD BALOGHMy Lords, it is because I have followed the noble Lord, Lord Drumalbyn, in his excellent tutorial to me in not saying anything of which the Department does not approve.