HC Deb 24 October 1973 vol 861 cc522-3W
Mr. Grimond

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what steps are now being taken to provide training facilities in the Highlands and Islands for jobs in oil and oil-related industries.

Mr. Chichester-Clark

Firms associated with oil development currently located in the Highlands and Islands or planning to establish units there are providing in-plant training facilities to meet their particular needs.

Support services which are provided free of charge by my Department, including supervisory and instructor training and the loan of instructors to help with specific aspects of training, are being used by the firms.

Mr. Grimond

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) if he will give the latest estimate of the number of jobs likely to be created in Shetland during the initial construction period for service bases, harbours, etc., in Shetland;

(2) if he will give the latest estimate of the number of permanent jobs likely to be created in Shetland when oil flows from the North Sea and Atlantic wells.

Mr. Dudley Smith

Firm projects now under way are expected to increase the number of long-term jobs associated with oil exploitation from the present total of around 45 to over 300. A further 130 people are currently engaged in the construction of service bases. Other oil developments which are being considered could provide a substantial number of additional jobs both in construction and of a more permanent nature; but we cannot yet quantify the likely employment effects.