§ Mr. McTaggartasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what are his estimates of the number of jobs in Scotland associated with North sea oil and gas in each of the past six years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Allan StewartEmployment in firms in Scotland identified by the Manpower Services Commission as being wholly related to North sea oil and gas activity is estimated to have been as follows for the period 1979 to 1984.
June Thousands 1979 41.8 1980 46.3 1981 49.6 1982 58.3 1983 63.3 1984 64.0 Recent forecasts of oil and gas reserves by both the Department of Energy and the oil industry itself augur well for future levels of oil-related employment in Scotland.