§ Mr. Clinton Davisasked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will make a statement on the progress made in the joint United Kingdom-Norwegian inquiry held at official level, which started in April 1979 into allegations that operators of oil rig supply vessels under the Norwegian flag were obtaining financial support through subsidies or otherwise from the Norwegian Government, thus enabling them to obtain unfair advantage over other operators and, in particular, those operating under the British flag.
§ Mr. TebbitThere has been no such joint inquiry; the hon. Member may have in mind a request in 1979 for information, which the Norwegian authorities provided, on the nationality of supply vessels in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea. Whenever appropriate, the Government will continue to discuss with the Norwegian392W authorities matters affecting freedom of competition.