§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Energy to what extent equipment costs for North Sea platforms have escalated during the past 12 months; and, taking 1972 as 100, what would be the cost of (a>) a steel production platform, (b) a concrete platform and (c) completed modules in subsequent years to the latest available date.
§ Mr. John SmithI would refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow, Queen's Park (Mr. McElhone) on 24th June.—[Vol. 894, c.128.]
§ Mr. John Evansasked the Secretary of State for Energy how many oil production platforms are under construction in foreign countries for use in the British sector of the North Sea.
§ Mr. John SmithSix, of which four are concrete and two steel. The orders for the concrete platforms were placed before the United Kingdom established a capacity to produce this type of platform. Three concrete platforms are now under 595W construction in the United Kingdom. One of the steel platforms was ordered in 1973 when United Kingdom capacity was stretched with orders already in hand. At the time that the second steel platform was ordered in 1974 two similar orders were placed in the United Kingdom.