HC Deb 19 May 1994 vol 243 cc566-7W
Mr. Worthington

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what proposals he has to ensure that British workers compete on a level playing field for jobs in the offshore oil and gas industry.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

Although both British and foreign workers have open access to jobs offshore, British workers succeed in securing over 90 per cent. of the jobs available.

Mr. Worthington

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what United Kingdom employee costs are not paid by offshore oil and gas companies if they employ foreign nationals.

Mr. Hague

I have been asked to reply.

For national insurance contribution purposes, employment of United Kingdom or foreign nationals in an area of the continental shelf outside United Kingdom territorial waters, which the United Kingdom has the right to explore and exploit, is treated as employment in Great Britain. In common with other employers who have a place of business in Great Britain, offshore oil and gas companies have to pay the employer's share of national insurance contributions in respect of United Kingdom and foreign employees, except in certain limited circumstances where the employer is liable to pay contributions to the Norwegian state insurance scheme instead. If the employer has no place of business in Great Britian, it is not liable to pay the employer's share of the contribution in respect of any employees, whether United Kingdom or foreign.