§ Mr. Gordon Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Energy what conferences in the United Kingdom or abroad dealing with North Sea oil have either been sponsored or financed by the Government ; and if he will give the location, general theme and cost of each such conference held within the last year.
§ Mr. John Smith:During the last year the Government have sponsored or co-sponsored the following conferences, seminars or exhibitions, all of which were intended to publicise the opportunities for British industry arising from offshore oil and gas development:
Date Location Cost to the Government £ March 1974 Newcastle Nil March 1974 Manchester Nil April 1974 Belfast 540 May 1974 Cardiff 280 November 1974 Glasgow 970 November 1974 Liverpool Nil November 1974 Walsall Nil February 1975 Dundee 240 The following conferences, seminars or exhibitions associated with offshore activities were not sponsored by the Government but there was some public expenditure in regard to the costs of representation by British industry and commerce and by officials from Government Departments: