§ Mr. Sillarsasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from the Sunday Mail newspaper on the subject of government policy on the development of the oil industry; and what replies he has sent.
§ Mr. Gordon CampbellThe editor of theSunday Mail requested my comments on an article on United Kingdom and Norwegian Government licensing policy which appeared in the newspaper on 29th October. In reply, I have pointed out that it is inaccurate to suggest, as the article did, that the United Kingdom Government do not impose any conditions on the pace of oil drilling or that companies 247W are not required under the licences to provide information on the results of their operations. I have also pointed out that, in the circumstances of our economy which in this respect are fundamentally different from those of Norway's, we have deliberately encouraged exploration at a faster pace, which will continue to be of particular benefit to Scotland in the creation of jobs.