§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy what studies have been conducted by his Department or consultants to his Department on the effects of the mining or bombing of the Kuwaiti oilfields, in terms of(a) oil resource depletion, (b) the stability of crude oil prices and (c) environmental pollution, including effects on global warming.
§ Mr. WakehamMy Department has not carried out any detailed studies on the possible effects of the mining or bombing of the Kuwaiti oilfields for oil resource depletion or the stability of crude oil prices. However, it seems unlikely that there would be any significant short term consequences for oil supplies, bearing in mind that crude from Kuwait is not at present available to world markets.
The Meteorological Office has conducted a preliminary study into the environmental effects. This concludes that 566W even in the worst case scenario the effects on global warming would be almost negligible. Arrangements have been made for a copy of their note to be placed in the Library of the House.