§ Mr. Woofasked the Secretary of State for Energy what advice he has received from the Offshore Energy Technology Board concerning his Department's research and development activities in the field of offshore oil and gas technology.
§ Dr. J. Dickson MabonAs well as overseeing my Department's ongoing offshore oil and gas research and development programme during the last year the Offshore Energy Technology Board has also devoted considerable effort to the development of a longer-term strategy to be followed in the future. A paper setting out the board's strategy is being published today and copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses. The approach presented in the paper, which was drawn up in close collaboration with my Department, has been accepted by the Government and represents the policy currently being followed in this field. I hope the publication of the paper will lead to a fruitful exchange of views with interested parties.