§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Energy how much Government money has been spent to date on the development of sites for building concrete platforms at Portavadie, Hunterston and elsewhere; and what steps have been taken to ensure that such investment is both advantageously used and profitable.
§ Dr. J. Dickson MabonGovernment expenditure actually incurred to date on the concrete platform sites at Portavadie, Hunterston (consultancy fees), Kishorn and Ardyne Point is £21 million. In addition, the Government are guaranteeing bank loans to the developer of Hunterston up to £7 million together with accrued interest; the guarantee to be discharged on receipt of the first platform order.
The Government are negotiating with several contractors interested in the use of Portavadie for the next round of orders.
With regard to Hunterston, an extension of the guarantee period beyond July 1977 is being negotiated with the developer.
The Government cannot direct orders to particular sites or favour particular contractors, but they are in constant touch with the oil companies about their ordering intentions and they are aware that a healthy platform industry is very much in their interests. We see no reason why most, if not all, future concrete platform orders for the United Kingdom Continental Shelf should not be won on a competitive basis by United Kingdom contractors.