§ 21. Mr. John H. Osbornasked the Secretary of State for Energy to what extent the British National Oil Corporation has acquired a stake in oil production, drilling, and exploration enterprises within United Kingdom waters; and, of the total investment how much is now held by BNOC, how much by British-based public and private enterprises, how much by similar enterprises within the EEC, and how much from further afield.
§ Dr. J. Dickson MabonThe British National Oil Corporation has acquired BNOC (Exploration) Limited—formerly NCB (Exploration) Limited—from the National Coal Board and BNOC (Ninian) Limited—formerly Burmah Oil North Sea Limited—and BNOC (Thistle) Limited—formerly Burmah Oil Company (Pipe Lines) Limited—from the Burmah Oil Company. BNOC interests amount to approximately 8 per cent. of the total investment so far in the United Kingdom Continental Shelf. The equivalent figure for BGC is around 2 per cent. The additional analysis sought in the last part of the hon. Member's question could not be obtained without disproportionate cost.