HC Deb 21 June 1999 vol 333 cc271-2W
Mr. Anthony D. Wright

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to change the membership of(a) the Oil and Gas Industry Task Force and (b) its working groups. [87510]

Mr. Battle

We do not expect to change the membership of the Oil and Gas Industry Task Force, which is now preparing its report for publication in September. The Task Force has agreed that a successor group will be needed to ensure that continuing progress is made with the initiatives it is pursuing and it will be discussing what membership would be appropriate for its successor. The discussions will involve those with an interest in the Task Force's work. The Task Force will of course take account of representations made about membership.

The membership of the workgroups is a matter for their joint industry and Government sponsors from the Task Force. Changes are made from time to time to reflect the particular issues that a workgroup is addressing.

Mr. Anthony D. Wright

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures are in place to ensure representation on the Oil and Gas Industry Task Force of parties working in the southern sector of the North Sea oil and gas industry. [87511]

Mr. Battle

The persons invited to join the Task Force were chosen to ensure the membership included a wide range of oil companies, contractors, supplies companies and trade unions active in all sectors of the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS). This certainly includes the southern North Sea, where a number of the members have significant interests.

The Task Force is developing proposals for reducing the cost base of UK oil and gas operations against the background of low oil prices and the particular characteristics of the various sectors of the UKCS. The initiatives developed and advantages gained will be relevant to oil and gas activity in all sectors and, furthermore, will improve the international competitiveness of the UK industry.

Mr. Anthony D. Wright

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what are the criteria for the selection of personnel serving on the Oil and Gas Industry Task Force. [87509]

Mr. Battle

The Task Force has a high level membership drawn from industry and key Government Departments, including oil companies, contractors, suppliers, unions, DTI, Treasury, DETR and the Scottish Office. The membership was intended to reflect the broad spectrum of interest, while also being of manageable size.

A key objective of the Task Force is to stimulate new oil and gas projects on the UK Continental Shelf; it was therefore necessary to ensure the participation of different types of oil companies with significant UK interests. The choice of the contractors and supplier companies reflects the breadth of the industry, with large, medium and smaller companies contributing at managing director level.