§ Mr. Campbellasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will state the latest estimated number of oil platforms required for oil extraction in the North and Irish Seas by 1978; and if he will make a statement about the present capacity of facilities able to produce platforms.
§ Mr. StrangForward estimates of oil production platform requirements are necessarily speculative as they depend in part on discoveries yet to be made. However, I am advised that about 30 may need to be installed on the United Kingdom sectors of the North and Celtic Seas by 1978, including those already delivered, under construction and on order. The Government have been urgently reviewing the whole problem of platform construction capacity in the United Kingdom and are convinced that additional sites are needed. It is hoped to be able to make a statement on this shortly.