§ Q8. Mr. Hannamasked the Prime Minister if he will list the responsibilities of the Secretary of State for Energy.
§ The Prime MinisterThe Secretary of State for Energy is responsible for policies in relation to all forms of energy, including energy conservation and the development of new sources. He is responsible for the Government's relationships with the nationalised energy industries and the sponsorship of the nuclear power construction industry and the oil industry. The Secretary of State is responsible for the Government interest in the development of the oil and gas resources on the British sector of the Continental Shelf and for the Offshore Supplies Office in its rôle of developing the ability of United K:ingdom suppliers to meet the needs of the offshore operators. He is the chairman of the ministerial negotiation team on the North Sea and in charge of participation talks with oil companies licensed to operate offshore.