§ 39. Mr. Blenkinsopasked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he has had discussions with the British National Oil Corporation about the use of British ships to supply a service for oil rigs.
§ Mr. Clinton Davis.No. Decisions whether to use British or other supply vessels are a matter for the commercial judgment of the Corporation.
§ Mr. Trotterasked the Secretary of State for Trade what is his estimate of the number of helicopters regularly used in supplying North Sea oil and gas installations; of the number thereof, which are made in the United Kingdom; and what is the reason for the use of foreign made machines.
§ Mr. Clinton DavisThe United Kingdom companies which are licensed to operate air services to supply North Sea oil and gas installations own or operate approximately 75 helicopters. Of these, five were built in the United Kingdom and a further nine have engines which were manufactured in this country. The choice of equipment is a matter for the companies concerned. In the case of British Airways helicopters no United Kingdom-manufactured aircraft are of the type required, but two of its helicopters have United Kingdom engines.