HC Deb 17 October 1991 vol 196 cc198-9W
Sir Hector Monro

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy whether the Government have replied to that part of the Energy Committee's seventh report which deals with the location of the petroleum engineering directorate—PED—of his Department.

Mr. Wakeham

The successful development of the oil and gas resources of the United Kingdom continental shelf —UKCS—has brought great benefits to oil industry and supply centres across the United Kingdom. I am determined that these benefits should continue.

So far this year I have approved 17 new oil and gas developments with a total value of £4.2 billion, there have been nine significant finds, and drilling activity has continued at high levels. Capital investment in the UKCS in the first six months of this year was about 30 per cent. higher than in the first half of 1990. All this activity is helping to sustain and develop the economies of the regions concerned.

The Offshore Supplies Office of my Department is, of course, already located in Glasgow.

I agree with the Energy Committee that further studies are needed of the case for relocating the PED to Aberdeen and this is made clear in the reply that the Government have made today to the Committee's report. I have therefore decided to commission a thorough review of all the issues to be carried out by independent consultants. The results of this review will be published.