§ Mr. Gordon Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Energy what steps are being taken by the Offshore Supplies Office to ensure that the Cormorant platform is built in Scotland.
§ Mr. John SmithThe order for the construction of this platform has already been placed with McAlpine at its site at Ardyne Point.
§ Mr. Gordon Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he is satisfied with the co-ordination of activities of the Petroleum Production Division of the Department of Energy, the Offshore Supplies Office, the North Sea Oil Support Unit and the Scottish Industrial Development Office; and if he will make a statement regarding the effectiveness of these bodies, with particular reference to possible duplication of functions.
§ Mr. John SmithMy right hon. Friend is satisfied with the co-ordination of activities. The Oil Task Force which meets regularly in Edinburgh includes senior officials from all these parts of Government and provides an effective forum for co-ordination of North Sea oil-160W related activities. In addition there is, of course, day-to-day contact on particular issues as they arise.
§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Energy what percentage of supply vessels, including pipe-laying barges, survey vessels, cargo carriers, craneships and safety vessels, servicing North Sea oil operations, is British made and sail under the Red Ensign; and what estimate he has made of the total number of such vessels at the latest available date.
§ Mr. John SmithThe information is not readily available. I am at present making inquiries and will write to the hon. Member in due course.